The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-16

er of an exasperated controversy, the sIictest ant
most sacred impartiality should have been observ
ed in the most careful investigation, both of Law
and fact, by thejury, and in all the decisions ant
directions ofthe court. In what case should the.
have been more distrustful of the political bias o
their own minds, more careful in all their deibera
tions, more earnest in the nvocations of strength
above their own, that they might not only appeal
to be just, but do justice in manner so above al
suspicion, that the defendant, and all these with
whom he is associated, might be satisfied that hi
had had his day in court; and that every requisi
ton of the law had been observed and fulfilled
In how different spirit were the proceedings o
this trial conducted? And with what emotions
must the defendant have listened to the declara
ton of one of your honors, that "in the hurry o
this trial" they could not attend to the questions
of law, which he so earnestly pressed upon their
immediate consideration as vitality important to the
righteous determination of his case!
The result of this trial, which your sentence il
about to proclaim, is the perpetual Imprisonment
of the defendant, and his secluson from the face o
society, and from all communication with his fel
low men.
Is il too much to say, that the object Of his po-
litica opponents is the qualification of an Unsuitable
spirit of revenge, rather than the attainment of lie.
gal justice' They are also bent upon his political
destruction, which results from the sentence of the
court, in the deprivation of his political and civil
rights They aim also at a social annihilaton, BY
his commitment to that tomb of the living, from
which, in ordinary cases, those who emerge are
| looked upon as marked and doomed men, TO be ex-
cluded from the reputable walks Of life But there
my opponents and prosecutors are destined to dis
appointment. The court may, through the conse-
quences of their sentence, abrdge the term of his
existence here; they can annihilate his political
rights; but more than this they cannot accomplish
The honest judgment Of his friends and fellow-ci-
zens resting upon the truth Of his cause, and faith
full to the dictates ofhumanity and justice, will not
SO much regard the place to which he is consigned,
as the causes which have led to his incarceration
within Its walls
Better men have been worse treated than have
been, though not often in a better cause. In the
service of that cause have no right to complain
that | am called upon 10 suffer hardships, whatev-
er may be the estimate of the injustice which in
flicts them.
All these proceedings will be reconsidered by
that ultimate tribunal of public opinion, whose
righteous decisions will reverse all the wrongs
which may be now committed, and place that esti-
mate upon my actions to which they may be fairly
entitled.
The process Of this court does not reach the man
within. The court cannot shake the convictions
of the mind, nor the fixed purpose which is sus-
tanned by integrity ofheart.
Claiming no exemption from the infrmities
which beset us all, and which may attend us in the
prosecution of the most important enterprises, and
at the same time conscious of the rectitude OF my
intentions, and having acted from good motives,
in an attempt 10 promote the equality and to estab-
lish the just freedom and interests of my fellow
citizens can regard with equanimity this last in
Fiction of the court; nor would /, even at this ex
tremity of the law. in view of the opinions which
you entertain, and of the sentiments by which YOU
are animated, exchange the place of a prisoner at
the bar for a seat by your side upon that bench.
Iue cchtSuSC "HiSh you WIN pronounce " 'iO
extent of the power and influence which this court
can exert, isa condemnation of the doctrines of
'76, and reversal of the great principles which |
sustain and give vitality to our democratic repub-
lie, and which are regarded by the great body of
our fellow-ctizens as portion of the birth-right
of free people
From this sentence of The court, appeal to the
people ofour State and of our country. They |
shall decide between us. l commit myself, with
out distrust, to their final award. have nothing |
more to say.
SENTENCE.
Chief Justice Duyfee, after a few remarks, in
which he observed that the matters stated by the
prisoner had all been considered by the court;
that the court had been swayed by no political
motives, and had been governed in their proceed
ings by the law of the land; and that, in conse-
quence of the terms of acquaintance which had
existed between himself and the prisoner, he now
discharged with regret this last duty which the
law imposed upon him; then said: Listen, Thom-
as Wilson Dorr, to the sentence of the court which
is, .'THAT THE SAID THOMAS w. DoRR
BE IMPRISONED IN THE STATE PRISON,
AT PROVIDENCE, IN THE COUNTY OF
PROVIDENCE, FOR THE TERM OF HIS
NATURAL LIFE, AND THERE KEPT AT
HARD LABOR, IN SEPARATE CONFINE-
MENT."
Mr. Atwell then moved the court to suspend the
of the sentences n order to await the de-
;ision of the case, upon writ of error, by the Su
'reme Court of the United States. The defendant
would be disabled, by the Imprisonment which the
entence imposed, from the prosecution ofhis suit.
The court replied that they had no power to sus-
end the execution of the sentence; and it only
emained for the officer to carry into effect the
Judgment of the law. /!
The prisoner was then remanded, and was re-
moved by the sheriff on Thursday afternoon from