The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-27

from the Philadelphia Chronicle, for the purpose IT
showing the state of feeling in different parts of
the country, relative 10 this most extraordinary al
fair
CoLr. THE MuHprREr-THl CoSDuc1 or MS FRENDs
AND srMArHrslSsIhe chine ana lrlsi OF Jonn &. Cot
the murderer Adams, together with ali the subsequent
proceedings both leg illegal, in his case, down 10
the awful tragedy Friday last the most angular and
appalling Case upon the criminal records OF America
There much more beneath the surface oi 1t than Is gen
orally understood therefore have been particular in
publishing (eAciusiveiy IN this city only the earliest
but all the authenticated incidents connected with the
whole affair IRON hrs to last which propose follow
ing win some timely suggestions the VI law,
social order and reiBon thrown out by the SELL
he remarks Oh the press Cannot prejudice any
Gal movements In behaIi oil pAoner eore ieel
speak mind without ANY nliuoing, we are
convinced thar the best interests Of society demand
expression from The entire press Of the country
That Colt the murderer OF Adsms there doubt
he admitted 1t himself. hat the crime committed WAS
really murder aud either ercusabte homi
eide VIZ hesated ~ bsiiey upon the evidence
aidoced al The trlal But even had our mind been unde
clded the subject the decision OF impartial jsry
oitweive men, before whose minds all cumsances
paTaded that could be bought to bear IN favor OF the
sonvr eXtenuaton his CUNT and thai the very
best advantage by the eminent counsel Tor the defence
every doubt and discrepancy that could be Mputed
TO the evidence for the state as used oory the side o
ythe decision OF the and impartial ministers
OF the law would nave been received ~ proof Vi quit
We contemplate him then as guilty man, with the chine
OF murder resting upon his heada murder most horrible
Ill details revolving " the feelings oi civilized be-
ing. Every ana uevlce, judicial aud eAtraJudcla
which the learning ana ingenuity of counsel, tho
money influence OF friends, coud bring bear his
favor was attempted release These aDortiye ei
lvrts have beoretime commented upo. and we come
the dsrnier resorts OF the friends and mpafhses
vi the criminal when they find tat the Judiciary I'M
pregnaDle the Governor unswerved III hs adheIs to
and laws, and the law about to be vindi
Gated the death OF the unfortunate man.
What these resorts FIRST, TO get up false sympa-
thy excitement the pubic mind, that the dominion
might b. suImounied by mob and the prison
er rescued. Ihen 10 orioe the oeei OF Inc prs.n 10
IRON executing the sentancs oil the law And, issy to
turns the with the means OF keiiessructon
which The successful one. And oil this under go
OF laws Thank God Tor the honor oil our coun
try hs and the sake oil each oil the
former vialnous ouages were frustrated fortunate
circumstance tor time to come that the previous at
temp outrages upon law and Justceuron the morals
feeling society well upon the sancuy Vi hu
man lie, successiul-that the vi justice
pasted this instance and the perpetrator oil crime
henous and under circumstance that caush tniii VI
horror 10th mind and body al their recital
defy the law and saik abroad into the 40
clety oil innocent mer.
friends OF Colt that the excitement was
Of the pubhc mind capital punish
ment mob scued him saii0ws
1t would have been Tor this reason only there not
such statement. II is tue that there
exists strong prejudice IN tne pubic nina against the
punishment death but the class vi persons ho most
strongly entertain that prejudice rot they who would
surround the walls vi prison. or crowd INTO the PRISON
yard uion occasion Of execution, 10 mob the civil
authorities DEFY the law and prisoner
would they set on other. to do It, No-the indiv
would embark such undertaking, not more
opposed to aptal punishment than they all man.
crime, they could be just
dy induced rescue prisoner IRON hard labor or soil
lary confinement from the gaows and, had they sue
ceeded with Colt would have been very likely to have
tried game, distant period, upon more
hig scheme We whether the law pre-
scIipes DEATH labor solitary confinement apro
per punishment OF murder every good czen pound
obligations stand forth boldly upon the SIDE
authority carry ing 1t cut IL the punish
offensive to the public mnd-et tn NJ repeal II,
but long the law there 1t must be enforced.
Not only Is At true that no cuIprit
Fer felt the halter draw
With good opinion VI The law y
bu !, is equally true that his friends and sym.
p.thisers generally inbued pretty deeply it'll
the sentiment Alter pri oner has had the constu.
tiona judicial adv afforded him show his limo
cence, cannot do IT, II the operation oil the penalty
TO conform the notions OF the prisoners frendsbo
they few or many, by whatever motives actusted-
laws would be only active upon the poor and iendies
trials of the influential and wealthy he shsms and
they afforded such facilities would reduce society
to a state OF anarchy.
We say, then, that it is fortunate circumstance that
neither influence, importantly, excitement threats, OF
brides sufficient Colt IRON the custody
authorities We say this not because OF eds
position in favor OF csral punshmen for the transit Of
human being from time into eternity under such cir.
cumstances is an awful thing to contemplate. But for
the sake Of the constitution and laws that the judiciary
may be sustained in its proper acts the balance OF justice
be equally poised that the law may in truth b.. terror
10 evil doers and above all that brute y ranny may be
/ rebuked.
In the administration of justice rich and poor high and
low black and white, should fare alike There should
be exclusive privileges for and not Tor the other
The streams Of justice taking rise at the fountain OF eier
nal truth wisdom and equity should be preserved as 50.
cred and nvolable their sources and while IT II true
that with Him from whom all justice there 10 no
respect OF persons the example should be most regiousy
adhered to at bar every bench and in every
jury box in the land II Colt could have been cleared
upon any technical grounds, though his guilt were
conclusive, should not object bat that justice should
be brow-besten imporuned, brbed into fellowship
with crime is too intolerable for fufferancc