The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-09


In favor of young Mercer, was not only well taken
IN the case of that individual, but tmay be extend
ed TO the whole community OF Philadelphia and
Whereabouts, as far as Woodbury..
According TO the opinion of every sane man, the
verdict of that wonderful jury clearly contra
~ TO law-contrary to fact, and undoubted viola
ton of the institutions of civilized society There
can be no two opinions this point. Yet this ver-
diet not, on the whole, SO opposed to law, as the
tumuuous JOY ofPhlladephia was hostile to propri-
ETY., taste, and sound judgement 1t is an absolute
fact that public meeting has passed resolutions,
compmenting New Jeysey tor that verdict, and
permitting her to enter the Union hereafter Here
are a few astounding extracts from the Philadelphia
papers,
From the Philadelphia Times.]
90 At meeting of the citizens Of Southwark, yes
OF the handsome conduct of the Woodbury. Jury in the
Mercer case the State Of NeW Jersey be taken into he Fe
derai Union ~ Agreed mem
THE MERCER CAsE-THE LAST Aor IN THE EXCITING
DRAMA-ToUcHINc AND INTERESTING PARTIcuLARs-The
trial Of Singleton Mercer the murder of Heheron the
dhonorer his sister is one of those rare and prcmi
nent events in the history of humanity, which
landmarks for an and thus become the object of
mark and discussion for generation With all the de-
tails OF the trial the evidence the legal peadings SC
readers amlar they have also been enabled form
some aca of the universal sympathy entertained for the
part Of the public for the safety of who lad heroca
ly risked all in defence OF the the
scene alone presented in Court when the prisoner
Quilted that furnish anything like adequate idea
of the overwhelming nature Of that sy rnpathy
At halfpast five o'clock Thursday afternoon the
Court house bell was rung assemble the jury in the
Court Room The jury entered while the bell was ring
ing, and is difficult to imagine the crowd, that with
anxious faces stood stranng their eyes as TO catch
from the counenance of juror an idea the verdict
From the very nature OF the and the public excite
ment existing upon the subject outbreak feeling
tod Inhn and thn Attnrnn ln.
Sides desired that the audience would respect the dignity
OF the Court whatever might be the result Still, when
the verdict OF not guilty." rendered in spite of all
that could be said done spite all the better feelings
OF those present general shout Of JOY burst through
the building and rush was made 6y the spectators in
to congratulate him on his recovered freedom. While
this was going on, the uproar was tremendous. The
Court pleaded in vain for silence The attornes of
the prisoner, cried "shame shame" but without effect
The popular heart was beating and would not be
trolled Nature speaking in her own thundertones
of feeling and the cold enonal rules OF propriey
were cast scornuy aside in the vast heaving impulse Of
that exciting moment
Another touching scene was, when young Mercer
liberated from prison. and followed by the cheers of the
rejoicing multitude, reached the house in Woodbury.
where his father mother and sisters stood waiting for
him. He his life in defence of their honor and
good and they felt how much he of them
for his bravery First his mother caught him in her
and wept over him. just snatched from gnomin
Gus death while she murmuredfor excess of joy would
only let her murmur-her praise for his deliverance.
Then his young ssterthe betrayedthe ost-the ruin.
ed one-with shrek Of delight, fell at his knees and
after sobbing her heart would break with
burthened load of gratitude implored him to forgive her
"Forgive forgive me- my dear bro.her-forgive your
errng but never sister, who led astray
the false arts of villanous disembler dsgraced her
dear aer and mother and made wretched the fond hearts
Of all who loved her! Forgive the wretched, the I'M
thinking creature who could wickedly put the life
to repay hin in anything but tears for avenging her
wrongs and Furnishing the wrong .doer"
He raised up his sis fell her neck kissed her
forehead and sd her that he forgave her from the
tom OF his heart and trusted that the world would
present and number Of other persons All affected
to tears and overcome by their emotions OF them
felt constrained to leave the room.
The same evening, young Mercer visited at Woodbury.
the counsel for the Commonwealth. He thanked them
for the courtesy they had extended him said that he
entertained no harsh feelings towards them and that they
had dsne but their duty
In the course Of the evening he received capital
advice from his counsel. Mr. Vroom gave him some ex
ceedngly ssutary lessons for his future guidance lille
on every side his own conduct depicted marked
with nothing but the evidences Of the incest propriey
Yesterday morning it was known he would return to
this city. Anticipating crowd his friends thought it
advisable bring him up privately and hence he
panied the ladies OF the family in private carriage 10
Gloucester Point and thus reached by the way Of the
Point House the residence of his father in Queen
In the meantime the crowd gathered about Walnut
street wharf at which the Camden Ferry boat arrives
About III o'clock, the John Fitch"-tbe very boat on
which the dreadful tragedy occurred-came TO the
wharf, having on board not Singleton Mercer but his
father, and his five counsel, Messrs. Browne, Vroom,
Wall, Matlock and Sloan. The balcony in front of
Bloodgoods Hotel filled with ladies, and amid the
multitude below great number of the softer could
also be perceived AS the boat touched the Shore
rife huzza rent the air. and the gentlemen threw their
hats up, and the ladies waived their white handkerchief
in the wind II seemed like galaday. Mr. Mercer
Sr, and the legal gentlemen walked through the crowd
Messrs Vroom and Browne, arm in arm, with heads
bare going in advance. As they passed, the most pro-
found silence reigned. Then another and another
and another shout burst from the Threats of the specta
tors-another toss of the has-aRother Of the
white handkerchies-ndt the crowd quietly followed in
the rear making grand procession until the objects of
attention reached the U. s. Hotel where with final
huzza the mass slowly, and one by one, withdrew.
We learn that Singleton Mercer contemplates leaving
the city for North Carolina for few months where he
proposes to remain, until the present extraordinary
citement is over.
From the Chronice.1
We do not approve of such marked demonstrations OF
feeling at like that in which young ner
Ger was engaged None rejoice more in his acquttal
than do yet we believe that such expressions Of ap
probation altogether improper, and out Of place.
The family OF Mr. Mercer have evinced wisdom in
fusng parcpancy any public exultaton at his acqu
tai and is to be hoPel that the young himself will
maintain circumsprcon of department in keeping with
the natural character which his learned and able
set up for HIM on the trial.
City Intelligence.
q A III H.