The New York herald., 1845-02-16
Execution OF John Gordon.
[From the Providence Gazette.I


am here at the place of executon-here in this terri
ole place. where shortly the life OF human being, fe
ow man. to be offered up, to the laws have
perhaps should say, who has suffered so much and
whose sufsrings so to end Pale and hsggard
there is yet look OF eomposure almost of innocence in
mis- countenance Some ray of hopethe hope, perhaps
which his religion brings him-seems mingled with his
despair He does net look like bad man-like murder
To me he seems more the image Of man of little
mind, whose thoughts have been disturbed by sudden
md to him inexplcabe accusation Of crime and ncarce
and understand his position imprisonment has him
lown-perhaps soened, perhaps hardened his nature
nut has him down; he is thin pale and evidently
feeble in body Mental torture-the torture of gut-may
nave made him so-but cannot look upon him man
nd M snH capable az S o. much arhn suffering
of intellect and education than to sense Of guilt II
oes not seem the reservedness Of the conscience srck
understand he yet protests his innocence. If he pas
ses this ordeal and still cnss to the declaration shall
first brought to the bar Of the down to the render
ag Of the verdict by which he doomed to death-lo
sing not one word Of all the evdence-and before heaven
assert that would not, had been a member of that
ury have signed that verdict to the severng of this
right arm from my body for in my soul did believe him
OF having had hand in the foul deed for which he
suffers, would not dare to call him still murderer;
would hold that an innocent man had ceen murdered BY
the strong arm Of the law"
But here no place for this am not t for reasoning
There stands the bloody galows waiting for its
Mark hew the joints up there are tted-how each nail
has been driven home-how mechanically and coolly all
kill man Ito break the neck Of poor John Gordon =
to stop his breath and send him to his God
Ifeel cannot see the execution. IT'S too much for
ing to eternity by the hand Of his fellow up
twixt heaven and earh-daDgling choaking. groaning
struggling there How can witness it Good God !
Is 1t John Gordon, or am to suffer?
'Tis sad Office that he must perform-snd so he
doubt not he would sooner meet the enemy OF
his country in hot battle and handed struggle for
together the body and soul Of John Gordon though he
knew OF truth John Gordon were murderer. He
but wish he had the power Of repreve Il seems to me-
there's mercy in his soul and in his countenance.
IL O'CLOCK.
others Poor Gordon is yet in his cell in the State Prison
with his Priest and one or two friends His brother Mich
y Hs int o.
king leave Of John after he quits his cell for the last time.
He wants the dead body carried his house in Cranston
vault and there to remain tli his own fate is known
hear the friend tell HIM his wishes shall be carried
Nicholas much affected he rembes like an aspen
leaf Who that has heart would not trembls in view Of
the hanging Of brother.
Now comes the sheriff; he enters johns CELL and ad.
uss his white robe and cap. He seems afected while
John is calm and composer as though nothing terrible
about to ranspe They leave the cell together
corridor, and take long farewell; what they say
not hear; but strange to say John urging Ncho
las to take courage and not be down hearted They part
and john the sheriff and the priest mount the scaod in
the prison yard.
QuARrrrR PAST ELEvKN.--'Tis done the deed has
been consummated-John Gordon yis more !, He
walked to the scaold with firm step, and with appa
rent composure that astonshed every The Sheriff
seemed great effort and his voice was scsrceV audible
to the bystander This done the Priest advanced to Cor
don, laid his hand upon his shoulder, and said
Of just God, where hundreds Of your countrymen have
gone before you martyrs at the shrine of bgotry and
judice. Forgive all your enemies"
To this. poor Gordon replied -
do forgive them-I forgive all my prosecutors and
enemies- forgive them because they did not know what
they were doing hope all good Christians will pray
tor me.7
The priest and convict shook hands The former trem.
bingly left the scaod The drop fel-a moments srur.
geand the soul of John Gordon had returned to the
God who gave it,"
A NATIONAL SHAME.-At the Custom House sale
on the 10Th OF January, case of books, addrc sse
"a les Etafs Uni damerigue" was bid off by friend Of
the present from the French Chamber Of Deputies to our
Government secured through the influence Of Mr. Waite
mare in Paris about which 30 much was said at the time
The collection consists Of "scus des Hstorieus des
Gaus ct de la France" large and splendid W work In
tive ears from the roy al press Of France with umins
ted title page, engraving &c also, the Process Ybaur
des Seaness 4. "a Chambre des Deputies" in twenty three
volumes supefbly bound session l649budge 1874 to-
gether with few other books all from the royal press,
and not to be obtained hut from the French government
itself
gentleman Of this city was In the Chamher OF Depu.
ties when the law passed making this valuable present
which has lain nine months in the pubic store snu ~ tas
been sold for storage because there wss no person TO or
ward them Washington The purchaser will sell IL
believe moderate advance For the honor Of our
country and out Of respect the gvers should he i'm
edat " redeemed and placed In the Congressional H.
bray.-Evening Paper.
Fsrsu PoyK TO LrvERPooL.-Most Of the pork
sent from this city East lin hog shipped from Boston
a. Tvernool fresh II s sometimes packed in ice but
tSis n6s really during the cold weather B
this process II ia admitted at very moderate duty and
pays handsomely y-Rochsster Democrat.
ANOTHER DRFAUrTEH. Brigham, the collector of
taxes of the town Of Russia. Herkimer county, who
sloped" with the taxes just collected, overhauled
near Kingston, Csnada West bv deputy sheriff Varney,
ard compelled to digorge 81 600. This Is about the
amount Of the tax.