The New York herald., 1845-11-14


tried at Delhi, Delaware county, for the murder of
Osmon N. Steele, then under sherf-found guilty
by fair and impartial jury, and sentenced by an in
telgent and upright Judge 10 be hung according to
law. 1t remains to be seen whether this sentence
will be carried into execution-whether the law
shall be maintained or evaded. The executive Of
the State has fearful and heavy responsibility rest
ing upon him he is placed in a situation where all
his firmness all his energy, and all his prudence
are required,
On the one hand, we see desperate efforts made
by few editors Of newspapers, who seem, all at
once, to be filled TO overfiowing with a spirit of
benevolence to abolish capital punishment in all
cases Petitions are now freely circulating in this
city, and throughout the State, to obtain a pardon
for these men, at least commutaton of the SEN
tence to imprisonment in the State Prison for life.
On the other hand, we see anti-renters in the
counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Delaware, Scho-
hare, and some others, banding together for poll
tical purposes, and holding themselves in readiness
to join any clique or party, which will pledge itself
to carry forward their peculiar views, and assist
them in obtaining the abolshment of the tenures
under which they hold their lands.
In this land, whore the voice of the people has
ever ruled-where law and order should ever be
I OI
every citizen protected and respected attempt
is made to subvert the law, and bring the action of
our judicial tribunals into sovereign contempt If
succeeds in this instance, will il not furnish dam
gerous precedent for all future cases. and establish
doctrine, at once destructive of the safety pros
perity, and wel-being of all government We are
inclined to think If the laws are just-if they
were framed in wisdom, and founded on long ex-
ho Il an
local, sectional, or political feelings. If they are
UNJUST remedy is always at hand-the wisdom of
the people will sanction an alteration. But while
the laws exist, they should be rlgidly enforced.
Commutations of sentence and pardons are very
properly granted where there is any material defect
in the evidence, any violation or misinterpreta-
ton OF the law upon which conviction was had
and if it could be shown that these ant-renters were
illegally and wrongully convicted, it undoubtedly
would be case in which Executive clemency might
be very properly exercised But no such attempt is
made. The morbid feelings OF enthusiasts and the
rawlings of political ciiques are the only arguments
produced to sway the mind of the Governor Anti
Rentsm is not dead-to only slumbers to again break
forth with renewed volence-it is the feeling which
animates the bosoms OF the pseudo philanthropists
and sestyed reformers OF the day. 1t is developed
language-itisa is deep and settled determination to
uproot and destroy the present order of society, and
spread anarchy, confusion, and misrule throughout
the land Its immediate object is to array the pre-
JUDGES, passions and feelings of the ignorant, indo-
lent and miserable against the educated industrious
and comfortable among us, and then, to hight the
torch of fanatcism which, borne on the wave of de-.
luded, ungovernable, vindictive popular feeling.
will tarro md IL.
reasonable and thinking men, and finally produce
dissolution of this glorious and blessed union of
States.
Let us act, therefore, with wisdom and caution
let the laws be strictly enforced IN full confidence
that justice and right will eventually triumph.
SINGULAR LIBEL CAsE.-There is singular libel
case trial at Washlngton-that OF Governor
Thomas, of Maryland, for publishing pamphlet,
some time last summer, giving an account of some
family difficulties with his wife, in which he made
some statements rejecting upon her relatives, of a
most remarkable character
This is a strange case. Thomas was member
Of Congress-something of an old bachelor over
forty years OF age--a leading politician in Washinp
ton and Maryland, and good deal Of a fashionable
man OF the day. Miss Mcdowell, a daughter of
Governor Mcdowell, of Virginia, visited Washing
ton, being then quite a girl, only about seventeen
years of age. After short time match was
made up between them, and they were married.
Thomas was elected Governor of Maryland, and
they removed to Annapolis, and th-re lived for some
time But difficulties grew up between them,
which caused an entire separation the lady return
ing ITO her relatives in Virginia, and he publishing
strange pamphlet, making statements regarding
his wife OF most incomprehensible character
Ihe trial now proceeding at Washington is mere
ly tor libel 1t may not bring out all the facts but
we have the strongest reasons for believing that
Mrs Thomas is the injured party. She was young
girl when married-nnocent and gay-without any
thing wrong, and there have been certain crcum-
stances which have not appeared before the pub
iic, rather to the disadvantage of Thomas Indeed.
we may call them extraordinary circumstances, but
whether they will come on the trial, we do not
Know AT all events, we believe that Mrs Tho
mas is entirely the injured party.
HAYTI-FALURE OF THE BLACK GOVERNMENT
THERE.-We understand that Mr.. Hogan, who re-
Gently returned from secret expedition to Havti.
to which he was ordered under the administration
OF Mr.. Calhoun, has presented long and elaborate
report on the condition of the Black Government in
Hayti, and which will accompany the Presidents
Message to Congress. The substance of this re-
port consists of historical sketch, extending ma
ny years back, of the progress of the negro race in
Hayti, and their utter incapacity for self-goyern-
ment We are also informed that project is on foot
amongst the Spanish population of that Island or the
white inhabitants, for the purpose Of reducing the
blacks TO obedience, and that some proposition for
aid has been made to the United States government
The whole document will be curious erpose of the
condition of Hayt, of the inieriority Of the colored
race, and their positive incapacity for selEgoyem
ment.
DEATH OF CAPT HEPBURN.-The flags of the va
rous vessels In port were displayed yesterday at half
mast, as tribute of respect to the memory Of CAPT
Hepburn OF the ship Cohota, who was accidentally
killed by an explosion Of pistol in the hands Of
one OF his young men. The accident occurred upon