Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-01-03
From The New York Observer.
SENTENCE FOR MURDER.

IiOHoWing sentence, IN the case OF John
Smock Of New York, convicted Of the muir.
der Of his wife The fact stated by Judge
Il. that 10 fke last nine years, eleren men
had been Grraigncd before him for The mnr-
der tsfheir arires. ten OF whom were drunk
ards, shows the vast importance OF continued
and increasing efforts TO give efficacy 10 the
temperance reformation.
Prsoner--Listen TO what am about to
say TO you After puiient and thorough
Investigations oil your case, in the course Of
which you was faithfully and ably defen-
Died by your COUNSEL you have been con.
vrted by jury Of your country of the
cline Of murder; (of numbering woman
whom you lived with, and acknowledged
as your wife, aud you are now arraigned
for the purpose Of receiving the sentence
whichthe law awards 10 your crime.
Upon this solemn occasion il may not be
unattended with good, 10 advert 10 the cause
which has reduced you TO this deporabe
condition. THIS, by your own confession.
was rum Within the last nine years, |
have had eleven men arranged before me
on indictments for numbering their wives;
ten of whom were drunkards What stron.
ger proof could be afforded OF the deplorabie
consequences Of intemperance
These victims were urged on by il from
one degree Of depraviiy TO another till they
were not only induced to imbrue their hands
ia the blood OF their fellow beings, but 10
sacrifice the partners OF their bosoms-those
whom they rested under the strongest OBJ.
| legations TO love. cherish. and protect
Instead Of encircling them in their war.
NEST affections. they deprived them of life,
and they now lie Wondering in their
graves. 1l o7
From my own experience, and the best
information | have obtained. am satisfied
that three fouIths OF the crimes committed
are consequent TO intemperance. Drunkards
crowd ouI penilentiaries. and our alms-hous.
es are filled with them, or with those who
are brought to want BY the inlemperance
oftheir natural protectors In spite of the
ndInoni,ions of wise and good men, victims
of inlemperance daily swell the ihrong, and
the tide Of misery consequent, upon it moves
on. and will continue 10 move on, as long
as like causes continue 10 produce like ef-
fects
Were it possible thing to portray the
misery consequent upon the use of ardent
spirits from the first anxious look and sup
pressed sigh of. parents and wives, through
all the sickness, poverty, and crime attend
ant upon ii from the first disregard of the
kind admonilion Of friends till the hands
of the victims reek with the blood of the
partners OF their bosoms. society would
look with horror upon the scene. The
counsel of the wise would not then be disre-
garded, nor the tears of nearest and dearest
relations shed in vain
| Every young man should come TO a fix
ed determination never to taste the accused
cup and every old man, should, TO his ex.
ample, add his influence 10 eradicate the
civilian evil which has swept one race
OF human beings from the land on which
we live and which at one time threatened 10
demoralize anolher.--But 10 return from
this DEPRESSION aG9 w
Miserable mani What can. what ought
to say to you You now stand trembling
before this earthly tribunal, upon the very
verge Of eternity. But for habits of intern
perance, you would now be moving among
your fellow men. respectable as you once
was. and in the enjoyment Of health and
competence What deplorable contrast
10 your present condition With fame
eaieebled by dissipation. and with con-
science reeking with the blood Of your Wet
i'm. you must now prepare TO meet the i'm
maculate the Divine Creator OF all things.
1t can hardly be necessary for me TO admon-
ish you 10 prepare for the change; for il
you have human nature 10 you. you mus
be aware of the importance Of so, doing.t
| After few revolving suns, this world will
cease TO be your habiiaiion--from the socie-
| ~ ofmen. from friends. and relatives. from
the busy hum of society. from all which
here awakened hope. or gladdened The heart.
you will soon be removed forever.-- Your
lamp OF life is about TO be cxtinguished.
Prepare, then for the awful change. ~
To the Creator Of all things. let your
mos, fervant supplicalions be raised AS
it was from him which you received all
which you have enjoyed here. so 10 him
alone must you look for all which you may
hope TO enjoy hereafter. a9a1si
| will now proceed to the discharge fthe
last and most painful duty OF the Court.
Listen to your sentence.
The judgement of the Court is. and sncb
isyour sentence. that you, John Smock. be
| taken hence to the Bridewell Of the CITY
and County of New York. from whence
You last came. and on Saturday the twenty
9Th day OF January next ensuing, 10 the
place OF execution. and then and there be
hanged by the neck until you be dead. And
may God have mercy on your soul 9
There are various degrees Of slavery
| The lover is slave 10 his mistress, and
r.I., ,.f ~ lsrha drus,