The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-10-08
DO WHAT IS RIGHT. COME WHAT MAY.

OO w Hal Is RIGHI, COME WHAT MAY.
The above is translation OF motto rather ia
nous, but always commended to as by its position
in the Alexandria Gazette, whose editor always
followed his text, like good preacher. We are
now reminded of the maxim, and induced to press
it upon our readers, especially the young, by
circumstance that recently occurred at Paterson,
NJ. A man named Cunningham was charged
with numbering man with whom he was, at the
time OF his death, bathing. 1t was charged that
he had kept him beneath the water &c.
When the testimony of the Commonwealth had
been concluded, the Court decided that there
was no cause for trial. and, of course, the prisoner
was dismissed. After which Cunning CHAM ssstated
to the Court and jury that he oCas in the water
with Norris, and saw him dive down, but did not
see him come up. He said he was afraid of being
suspected of numbering him, and therefore hid
his clothes when he came out, and denied hav-
ing been in with him.
The last sentence is that to which we would
draw attention. Cunningham was evidently in
nocent OF the crime charged, but he man
OF little faith. He had confidence in truth
none in his own character He knew the world
was prone to censure, and with a promptness
which denoted an unbalanced mind he told
he-tod it in 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 sub
dertuge of guilt 81 heard the voice in the gar
den, and was afraid, for | was naked - or, 81
know not; am | my brothers. keeper - And
when the falsehood is detected, it is most natural
to infer guilt, which the falsehood was intended
To conceal.
But Cunningham not guilty of the murder,
yet he told a lie. His unbalanced mind oscila-
ted and finally settled to a falsehood and he in
flicted upon himself the double terrors of de-
lection of the lie, and the almost consequent pre-
sumption of murder. The lie was easily proved
upon him, and, consequently, the homicide is ma
turally inferred.
What is valuable in the teachings of this trial,
for all trials teachings is the enforcement of
the importance of truth at all times and espe-
cialiy on circumstances, where there is pre-
sumption suspicion of crime, fer the lie, hasti
ly formed and uttered. cannot, (and it ought to
be considerably stand the close scrutiny to
which the crime will render it liable; and it will,
therefore, rather to expose than to hide the
| guilt The blanket that is drawn up to conceal
the face; will probably leave bare the feet, and
the exposure of either extremity will afford evil
dence Of personal presence.
Had Cunningham promptly and canddly ex-
planned to the Coroner or 9th ers, who first saw
the body Of the drowned person, all that he con-
! fessed to the Judge and Jury, he would probably
have been considered candid man. He Weld
ed to his fears, and his dstrust, and told lie
He had, of course, never been taught the whole
importance of truth He had not practced against
adverse temptations 10 the utterance OF truth
His impulses were strong; his fears were greater
than his principles, and he fell. Few, indeed,
suffer much from lie that was not intended
for their neighbours hurt, but none can tell what
will be the result of the attempt at false conceal
ment and none may rightly complain of what
may be regarded as severe punishment when
that punishment is seen to be natural and inev-
liable consequence of the fault
Parents will probably see, in the circumstance
| Of Cuunin oh ANS zoe IN bon
| prehensions for the fate of those providentially
entrusted to their care and they will apply a
lesson to the young, far more effective than any
we can give, and at which we only hint in these
remarks, which we conclude by copying the fol-
lowing opposite lines
"Face thine enemies-accusers,
Soon the prison, rack or rod /!
And if thou hast TRUTH to utter,
Speak and leave the rest to God"
IT, y G1~ef,e