State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-02
AN IMPRESSIVE WARNING TO
YOUNG MEN.

At the Court of Sessions in New York
on Saturday, William ID. Gray, the associ-
ate of Robinson, was put to the bar TO re-
ceive his sentence. When asked why
sentence should not be pronounced upon
him, he drew from his pocket long de-
fence, which he read, according to the N.
York Advocate, in chaste and beautiful
style, that drew tears from almost every one
in the closely thronged Court" 1t affords
a lesson of impressive warning to the young
men of our large cities and towns, and
shows that the descent to vice, though
gradual is sure, when once commenced.
Boston Alias.
"His Honor the Chief Justice stated that
it was with deep regret that they saw
young man of such great promise and fine
intellect as he evidently possessed, bring
| himselft to the situation in which he was
placed. lie had prostituted the fine talents
with which the God of nature had abund-
antly blessed him. The Court deeply COM
mserated his situation, yet justice must be
administered impartially. The law awards
punishment to the guilty alike. 1t knows
no distinction between the rich and the
poor, between the educated and the uned-
ucated. So long as the tribunals of justice
are conducted in proper manner, all are
treated alike, the innocent protected, the
guilty punished. There is no distinction
in the grade except where illness or other
physical causes may plead in mitigation.
The prisoner has reference to many excel
lent names. If he had not fallen to ruin,
those men would gladly have come forward
in his behalf. Mr. Lansing, previous to his
bad conduct showing itself, was making
efforts to procure him situation as Bank
clerk. But he formed acquaintance with
improper associates, persons deeply versed
in crime, revealed (iu their dens) with the
girls of the town, and his rapid downward
career awfully exemplifies the power and
the terror of an improper course.
The prisoner has reference to Robinson
and hoped his reputed acquaintance with
him, would have no influence in the de-
cision of the Court He speaks of that in
divdual now, but in hopes never to pollute
1t has been said that the cloak he wore,
The tailor that made the cloak has now
made EXPRESSLY for Robinson and that it is
charged to him on his books. Gray is,
therefore, free from that.
AS to YOU, Gray, continued the Recorder,
your appearance and manner are such as
to afford you access TO our principal Hotels.
You have entered three of them and basely
committed thefts, and think for moment
of the meanness of the crime, to say moth
ing of the guilt, for young man so talent
ed, and once so respectable as you were,
thus to he so degraded. Your recent course
has been shameful and hardened one !;
your father is one of the most respectable
men in the state of Ohio, and depend upon
it, you will bring down his grey hairs in
the deepest sorrow TO the grave. But you
have yet time for repentance: You do not
stand surrounded by crime; that one
which is the darkest and most deep of all,
thank God that you are free from: the
blood of human being does not rest on
your hands; but you have committed many
bad deeds, you gave yourselfup to vice,
and must meet its reward.
AS to the situations which you have
held, Clerks may commit the grossest
depredations, and no doubt that many have
Obtained by fraud and REGULATION the prop
erty that belongs to their employers. They
could support the system of extravaganza
and profligacy, in which it is too evident
many now indulge, only by stealing, but
many bright young man like yourself
has thrown himself away, like you have
blasted the finest prospects, and placed,
indeed poisoned dagger in The hearts Of
their parents. The prisoner was deeply
affected, ard while looking at the Judge
the tears coursed down his face drop
ped at his feet.
speak to you now, not with the view of
giving pain, but that you may look to that
power who alone can save. 1t is only AL
mighty God who can wash the stain from
your fair fame. 1t is only Him who can
snatch some of the recent prisoners from
the ocean of crime into which they have
fallen, and save them from death here and
hereafter. In reliance upon Him only is
the human heart safe from ITSELF When
hencelorth you are about to commit du-
bious act, ask yourself if you are willing
your connections should know it; will |
be willing TO consult my father and mother
it. Ifyou are not so willing, it is proof
that the act is criminal or doubtful. Ask
yourself ifyou have a right 10 treat others
unkindly, to he unjust, TO revolt against the
God of Heaven, to use cruelty to your
fellow-man or to deprive him ofhis proper
| ty. Had you, on the commencement of
Your recent downfall, said, Am willing
that my father should know this, tue an
swer would have been, No, aud you per-
haps have been saved from your awful
degradation.
There is one ray of hope for you. The
Governor has power to pardon you. Your
father has great influence in Ohio, and his
nelghbors may inlercede with the pub
lie authorities in your behalf Ifso, do not
appear any more in our streets, go else
where, to some remote place, where you
may be useful. Take, if you please, your
mothers name, so that the knowledge of
your crimes may not follow you to your
retreat. Live virtuous life, and the re-
membrance of your i'll deeds will be for