The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-02-08
From the South Corolini1n.

From the South Corolinian.
JUDGE O'NEALL'S ADDRESS.
We publish below, the eloquent address
of his Honor, Judge O'NEALL. to Neha-
miah Kelly, convicted, at the late term of
the Court Of Sessions for Fairfield Dis
trict, of the murder of his mother, and SEN
fenced to be hung on the 9th ult. The
address was forwarded to us just before
the commencement Of the late session,
and delayed till now, in consequence of
the pressure Of legislative matter, which
shall be published as early as practicable.
Yet, even now, eloquent, impressive, and
beautiful as is the address itself, but from
difference to the high and respected sour
ces from which it emanates, and was for
warded for publication, we should hesitate
to make it public fully believing, as we do,
that so disgusting evidences of human de-
pravity, frequently published as they are,
and famiiarizng the mind with guilt, tend
greatly to blunt the moral sense, and fur
nish the wickcdly inclined with an excuse
for the existence, at least,if not indulgence,
of their evil proPenSties. We believe it
were easier to shame man out of his evil
inclinations, or habits, by leading him to
think others, generally, better than himself,
rather than uorSe; and that it is exceed
Iingly dangerous, to give him frequent
cause for the reflection, that, bad as he
may be, others, perhaps mankind general
!ly, arc far worse. With these impressions
it is onlyundervery peculiar circumstances,
that we ever publish any one Of the count
less "horrid MURDERS" robbcries, duels,
etc. etc. with which the press is continually
teemng and in our mind, deep and aw-
full responsibility rests upon its conductors,
in thus catering for depraved and NOR
bid appetite. We have heretofore spoken
on this subject, and shall take occasion to
do so again, more at length, when our lei
sure will permit.
The following address presents to the
mind most disgusting, execrable evidence
of human depravity; but we trust its poi
son, to the wicked, will find sufficient
antidote, in the eloquent and highly impress
sivc remarks Of the distinguished and
learned Judge.
Nehemiah Kelly:-The last act, which
l am to perform toward you, is now about
to be done. As the Judge, on earth, Of
your crime, it is now my duty to make the
effort to prepare you to meet your Judge,
who is in Heaven
"The scriptures Of everlasting truth in
form US, that after this life, there is another,
of neuer-ending duration, in which, is the
Judgment, of every deed done in the body,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
To all men, it is fearful thing to enter in
to Judgment with the living God! How
much more fearfnl ought it to be to you,
unfortunate and guilty young MANI
"Your past life has been one, fear, Of
continued ignorance and crime. For the
last ten years, we have heard of your con-
duct. 1t was a continued account of dis
obedience of and violence toward your
mother. Had it not been for an acciden-
tai circumstance, you would, before you
attained to maturity. have been stained
with her blood. God then preventedyour
guilt, and gave you time to turn from the
error of your ways. But you availcd your
self not of the opportunity of amendment.
There was no trace of filial affection on
your part; your sister characterized your
conduct towards your mother as "mean."
Meanness is always degrading; but there
can be nothing more degrading on Garth,
than the meanness of a son toward weak,
erring, and afectionate mother. Her heart
clings to her child, through good and thro'
evil report; others may cast him out, and
reject him, but still the mothers heart re-
tains that spark of affection, which the
slightest thing will rckindle into the ardent
glowing blaze Of maternal love.
+ Your course of disobcdience Of, and
violence toward your mother, has at last
Terminated in her murder. Her blood
the blood of her who gave you life, who
nurtured you, who blessed you in the
warmth of mothers love, in childhood.
boyhood, and manhood, and who looked
to you to lay her gray hairs dccently and