The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-06-26


No one can, we think, attentiyely read
the testimony on this remarkable trial,
without conviction that Sarah M. Cor
mel was murdered, aud that circumstan-
tial evidence as strong as ever was
brought to bear against prisoner, was
was adducei on the occasion. But let
that pass. No doubt exists that she was
first the victim of the soducer, next of
the murderer, and that he was one and
the same person. Who was that per-
son ? There is not particle Of testimo-
ny to implicaie any other than the one
who was brought to trial and acquitted.
None other was named, none other was
even suspected; nor was there single
circumstance that could tend to suspic-
iona possibility of any other known
agent having committed the altrocious
deed.
As 10 the attempt to prove the insani.
ty of this poor girl, who is first the VIC
,lm of seduction, next of murder, and
last Of all calumny; it only deserves TO
be noticed as desperate and abortive
attempt to fix upon her guilt of suicide.
We defy any human being that is not him
self insane, to believe in the possibility
that woman found as Miss Cornell was
! found hanging TO The stake, committed
The act herself. The thing was physic-
ally impossible. Some one must have
done it for hel, and who that was, the
wretch who perpetratod the double
n nf
knows. There is however another being
acquainted with his guilt, and to his JUS
tice we leave the villain, whoever and
wherever he may be. May he wander
like Cain, if not with a brand OH his
forehead, at least with one at his heart
may he writbe in the agonies of sleep
less remorse, live in perpetual fear, and
die without hope.
Yet the man who labors, and will al
ways labor, under strong suspicious "t
this double, aye treble guilt, until .iiie
confession or conviction of some other
shall relieve him, is received by The Con
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church Of New-England," in triumph.
as one escaped from persecution, as a
brand snatched from the fire. He is fol-
lowed by crowds, and installed among
the rulers sitting in high places, govern
ing the church and administering the
holy Offices of religion We pronounce
such proceeding highly indecorous and
calculated TO bring any church, any de-
nomination of the christians into dsre-
puie. 1t was exhibiting an indecent iri-
umph on an occasion that called for low
!y humility rather than boisterous exul-
tation. Ii they believed him innocent
they should have given thanks in quiet
gratitude, instead of finging their
outrageous shouts oftriumph in the faces
of a world one half of which at least diff
fers with them materially in the esllma-
lion of :heir Brother, rendered illustrl-
ous as he is, by imputations that support
ed as they were, would have driven from
society any other than fanalical teach
er in community of fanatics. sSuch
conduct in such case cannot but injure
any religion, nay all religions, by giving
strong support to an opinion cherished
by many rejecting and judicious per-
sons, that however decisive may be the
presumption of the guilt of n clergyman
Of certain denominations there will al
ways be founds Juries to acquit, and le-
gions Of fanatical followers, to hail as
prosecuted martyr. An idea too gene
rally prevails, that it is not the guilt of
the person, but the punishment that con-
stitutes the infamy of crime. But we
must be permitted to observe, that the
escape of one guilty teacher Of church
by the indirect interference or direct in
fluence Of the whole body, is much more
likely to disgrace that Church, than
dozen convictions. BY leaving the law
to take its course, they escape the
charge of communion in guilt by act
i've interference they become parties 10
the crime, and slIarers in the disgrace.
We pity The criminal at the gallows. but
his triumphant escape exc,cs unqualifi-
cd indignation.
The DEGREES of providence, though IN
scrutable, are always just; the murder
Of this lone, hapless girl, may escape the
hands of the executioner, but he cannot
escape from himself; public justice may
not over,nke him, but private scorn will
follow him wherever he goes. The un
fortunate being who died near the hay
stack, is now at rest; her sorrows aud
| fraltes are buried with her, but he who
sent her thus unshrived to eternity, will
carry about HIM the worm which never
dies, and envy his victim even her cold
resting place.