The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1837-12-23
CITY CRIME REpoRTING-A SCENE &c.

CITY CRIME REPORTING-A SCENE, kc
We not in favor Of reporting the scenes that grow
out Of criminal trials at Court of publishing to the
world daily record of the sins and niques Of our fell
low men. because believe that such publicity hardens
the better portion of the community against the horror Of
vice, and has good effect upon those disposed to do
evil. Such publications have been made for year or
SO past, in Of city papers, and such parade ia
made Of the crimes Of the Metropolis that the whole
Union must by this time be fully impregnated with the
belief that this Is real Sodom: and that sooner or later
the wrath of Heaven must ovetae this peculiar peoples
Besides. there is cogent why this practice Of
ournazing vice, is of evil tendency: and that is may
prevent respectable moral people from taking up their
abode among frightened into non-residence by these
monstrous chimeras Of Reporters BRAIN
While we opposed 10 the system, in general, we
cannot refrain from describing scene which took place
in our Court Room Thursday, the 21st instant.
yellow man, of most respectable character, was
charged by young mulatto girl with against her.
which may be found in the catalogue Of oences but
which we will not take upon ourselves to name. She
appeared upon the stand with all the emblems and SYM
bols Of affection, and actually succeeded in drawing to-
wards her the sympathy of the audience. With difficult
t and only by the threat Of imprisonment could she DO
brought to detail the of the outrage Modest ma.
tnre overcame the of injured innocence and she
wept her eloquent story to almost ovepowered jury
The gallant and able council for the Prisoner evidenced
some little uneasness at this pahos but he did not des
pair for his client The impression powerful upon
the Court. The scene was quite exquisite to tho
lover Of the sentimental; and when the girl had finished
her sobnteruped story Of alicton we heard sigh Of
sympathy among the Twelve. The mother Of the OUT
ragged innocent next produced. Her handkerchief
was moistened with maternal grief and she too, amid
sobs and signs, recounted the fell act Of violence.
The two were carried from the Court. Room, while
looks Of anger fell like whitening hail upon the Prisoner
at the bar His council bghtens upthe most respecta-
BILE white witnesses sworn-they commence their tes-
timony-when 10 to the surprise and Amusement Of In
the whole proceeding turns ont to be- on the part Of the
mother and the girl. desperate and abominabe consp-
racy! !.
Testimony after testimony is given that the girl her
self had declared that she had been induced toe bv the
threats and iusage of her mother and father. law and
that the Prisoner Innocent The Prosecuting Attor
ney, with prompttude that we were not surprised Ia
md in that valuable and distinguished lawyer gave I'M
the case to the jury saying that he did not ask for YER
d'ct against the Prisoner. The jury. without moments
hesitation, returned verdict Of not gully The best of
the story is to come The two Niobes were brought IN
committed to jailhere to await their trial for con-
spracy against the reputation and liberty Of the accused
and for perjury Our story needs no heightened moral.
vice has its reward as well as virtue.