The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-08-14
VOL. "a

NO 4.

due excitement inthe public mind and feel.
ing. On the contrary, am q sincere lover
Of domestic and public quiet, and sm willing
to make every possible sacrifice to peace
and harmony. But there are circumstances,
under which, forbearsuce ceases TO be . viz
tue, and on tho occurrence of which, it is,
not only tho privilege, but the duty of the
good citizens TO speak out. In all the capital
trials that have ever taken place in our
country, no one has occurred, so intensely
interesting, as that Of the person whose
name Glands as the caption to this article
None iraught with more important bearings
and results Mono more enveloped in tho
shades Of mystery.-And, I may add, none,
the,resut Of which, has been the acquittal
OF person accused. under more suspicioas
circumstances. Taking oil things into con.
sideration. tho calling Of Mr.. Avery, 40 a =
minister Of the Gospel, his reputation in tho
order to which he belongs. the high toned
pretentions to piety maintained by that Or
der, the enormity Of the crime alleged a.
gainst him, and the ten thousand circum-
stances that tended TO fix suspicion upon him
there cannot be any wonder that public ex-
element was raised to such fervid heat,
aadE that the public, generally, have taken
so mach interest In the issue.
In commencing my slIictures on the trial
ofMr. Avery, at Newport, the evidence Of
fsred on that trial, and that rejected, and al.
so the proceedings Of the Methodist Confer
ence at Boston, and, to which this number 10
intended az an introduction, ] wish not to
act the hypocrto--I wish not to claim an un-
due share Of impa rtiality, or make preten-
sions to feelings entirely disinterested. On
the contrary, am of that number that havc
believed Mr.. Avery guilty-guilty, not Of
wilfully numbering Sarah M. Cornell, but
guilty Of the means by which she came to
har death. was satisfied that he should
be acquitted by jury of his country, and
am content that he has been acquitted but
stiil, on the perusal Of his trial, on the exam
ination Of the arguments Of his counsel, for
the arguments Of the Counsel Of the Govern
ment, have not seca, have seen no roason
to change my opinion, aud am now among
the number, tha, embraces even the jury that
acquitted him, and nineteen twenticths of
the whole community, who believe Ephraim
X. Avery guilty Of the death Of Sarah M.
Cornell. Still, repeat il, was satisfied
with the verdict Of the jury, and have rea-
son to think the public, generally were for
do not believe my fellow citizens to be that
depraved and blood thirsty rsce of beings,
that certain editors would represent them to
be, like the ferocious blood hound, with ap.
petites whctted for blood, seeking with avid
ity to revel in the destruction Of follow be.
ing. Those editors have either mistaken
public feeling altogether, or they are basely
Offering the sacrifice Of their honesty at the
E shrine Of interest.
The public have never thrsted for the
blood Of Avery they have never demanded
il. They required that he should undergo
the ordeal ofa fair and impartial trial, that
the facts might DO elected. They have new.
er expected his condemnation at law but
they demanded, as they had perfect right
to demand, that tho facts should be given to
the world not that the verdict from jury
should enchain their thoughts, prevent the
action of.reason, deprive them Of the right
of private judgment, or seal their lips to bar
The utterancc Of their honest conviction
All this, they have the right to do-and il
Mr.. Avery, or the jury that tried him,--os
d the witnesses that swore for him, or the
u Methodist Conference that have vouched fol
, y his innocence, feel themselves aggrieved,
m they have their remedy at law, IL they dare
run the hazard Of seeking redress through
that medium.
is The public feels itself Injured, common
e Justice and common decorum, religion and
. morality, feel themselves outraged, not &C
y much by the scquittal Of Avery, in a legal
point Of view, as by the bold and daring man
ifesto of the Methodist Conference, which
70 scquits Avery even Of suspicion. which oil
% know TO be incorrect, thrust him into the
{ pulpit as a public teacher Of religion, who
!, !. should be free from the very appearance ol
:, evil, and virtually recommend him a. msr
: Of unimpeachable integrity and purity o
;. ;. character, when IL is well known that he hs
:. been guilty Of promulgating the basest slsn
or der against brother Clergyman Of his owl
counexion. and the u.tsrance Of fslsehoo
: respecting his visi. to Rhode island. on III
2Oth Of December last. Had The Asthodis