The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-11-15
DO WHAT 1sRIcHr. COME WHAT MAY.

DO WHAT is RIGHT, COME WHAT May
The above is translation OF motto rather fa-f
nous, but always commended to,us by its position
IN the Alexandra Gazette. whose editor always
followed his text, like good preacher. We are
now reminded Of the maxim, and induced 10 press !
upon our readers, especially the young. by cir
curnstance that recently occurred at Patterson.
(N. J.) A man named Cunningham. wac charged
with numbering man with whom he was, at the W
time Of the death, bathing II was charged that
he had kept lin beneath the wafer, &c. ~ bHs
When the testimony Of the Commonwealth had -
been concluded, the Court decided that there was p
no cause FOR trial, and, ofeoursc, the prisoperwss
dismissed After wmcb Cunningham "staied 10
the Court and jury that he was in the water with +
Morris, and saw him dive down. but did not see Z
him come up He said he was afraid Of icing sns-
pected Of numbering him, and therefore hid his Z,
clothes when lie came out, and denied having been
in with him." ,a ft 81
The las, sentence is that to which we would
draw attention Cunningham was e' identity inno-
cent of the crime charged, but he was man Of lit
tie faith He had no confidence IN truth-none
in his own characte r. lie knew the world was
prone to censure, and with pronptness which de-
noted an unbalanced mind, he told lie-told itin
word and deed. He hid the clothes of the dead
man. and then denied having been with him in the
water This is the common subterfuge of guilt.
"l heard the voice in the garden, and was afraid,
for Y as naked:" or, al know not; am my broth
er's keepers" And when the fasehood is detect
ed, it is most natural 10 infer guilt, which the
falsehood was intended to conceal. .| la gaf
But Cunningham not guilty of the murder
vet ht told a lie. His unbalanced mind oscilated.
and finally settled to falsehood and inflicted upon
himself the doubeterrors Of detection OF he,-
and the almost consequent presumption OF murder
The lie was easily proved upon him, and, cona-
quen,ly. the homicide is naturally inferred
What is valuable in the teachings of this trial,
for all trials are teachings, is the enforcement of
importance of the truth at all times and especially
on circumstances, where there is presumption or
suspicion of crime, for the lie, hastily formed and
uttered, cannot, (and it ought TO be consIdered.)
stand the close scrutiny to which the crime will
render il liable; and it will, therefore, serve rather
to expose than to hide the guilt The blanket that
is drawn up to conceal the face, will probably
leave Oare tie iccl, anu ine eH posuiCo VI eihei cA
tremiy will afford evidence Of personal presence.
Had Cunningham promptly und candidy ex-l
planned to the Coroner others. who first saw the
body Of the drowned person, all that he confessed
to the Judge and jury, he would probably have
been considered candid man. He yielded to his
fears and his distrust and told lie He had, of
| course, never been taught the whole Importance
of truth. He had not practiced against adverse
temptations the uttcrance OF truth. His impulses
were wrong; his fears were wrong; his fears were
greater than his principles, and he fell. Few, IN
deed, suffer as much from lie that was not Dten-
ded for their n.ighbors hurt, but none can tell
what vi i'll be the result Of the attempt at false con-
cesment; and none may rightly complain Of what
may be regarded severe punishment, when
that punishment is seen 10 be natural and ipeva-
Bile consequence Oft that fault z5 1s5
Parents viii! probably see, in the circumstance of
Cunninghams case, something TO awaken in the
apprehensions for the fate Of those proydentiay
entrusted to their care, and they will apply les
son 10 the young, far more effective than any we
can give, and It which we only hint in these re-
marks, which we conclude by copying the follow
ing opposite lines
"Face thine eaem.e5- accIsors,
Scorn the prison, rack or rod
And if thou hast truth to utter.
Speak aud leave the rest to God"
U. S. Gazette