The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-04-09

| 0,Rev. Mr.. Fairchild was put ON trid
last week in the Boston Municipal Court, on
an indictment for Adultery. 1t will be rec
objected he was tried last summer before an
Ecclesiastical Court, d put out ofihe Minis
try. for Illicit intercourse with Rhoda David
son, girl employed in the family. who sub
sequenily charged bin with being the faith
er of her infant child. The testimony was
sufficient, as the principal witness was not
impeached; and his own written and verbal
admissions, aud the sums advanced appeared
conclusive. Previously, we believe, he at
tempted suicide. Residing in Exeter,he was
demanded by the Governor OF Massachusetts
10 answer 10 the bill of indictment. Gov.
Steele refused to give him up. Afterwards,
he voluntarily surrendered himself, and gave
bail. The case is managed by the Attorney,
Mr.. Parker, for the State. and by Ex-Judge
Warren and Mr.. Bodies, for the respon-
dent.
We have read the testimony. There is
much that is new introduced. The princi-
pal witnesses, Rhoda and her sister, it is at
tempted TO show, are of bad character and
so not to be believed. Testimony also to
show that the fathe; of Rhoda is not 10 he
believed for suudry discrepancies proved in
ltSliEiOnl. HC GAdflllldllen ana cross
examination was long and searching. Rhcda
was on the stand nine hours. This trial is A
very different affair from the Ecclesiastical
examination. The respondent relies upon
convincing the Jury, that this, rs in many
ether cases cited by the opening counsel, has
been deep conspiracy to extort money;
and expects that his plea will avail, that he
partially admitted the facts, and paid the
IL. 4 l..
ter and in ure the cause of religion, BY being
publicly charged as being the father Of an il
legitimate child. Mrs. Fairchld. fine look
ing woman, is beside her husband, with
their eldest son, apparently confident in his
innocence. Rhoda, also very good look
ing girl, with piercing black eye, watches
all the movements. and she also appeared
with her child, as ifto give additional weight
TO her declarations. The evidence on both
sides was concluded on Thursdy evening.
On Friday, Judge Warren commenced his
argument TO The Jury, in defence of his eli
cut. which occupied about five hours. Mr..
Parker closed for the Government, in an ar
gUmen; Of three end half hours. 1T was
faithful, fearless aud powerful, and marked
by great degree of Courtesy and caudor."
HIS grand object was to sustain the charac-
Ter OF the principal witnesses, Rhoda David
sou, her sister, and their father for truth.
The new evidence went to impeach them,
peIhaps more particularly by showing the
general character Of Rhoda and her sister to
be bad; and when this is established, the step
is comparatively easy to show that such per-
sons are not 10 be believed on their oaths.
Judge Washburn's charge was able and i'm
PARTIAL and The Jury, after being out about
eight hours.returned verdict Of Nor GULL
TT. Mr. Fairch!d then,b permission.s spoke
oil OF The load OF condemnation inflicted BY
an Ecclesiastical trial in another State, vet
lie had not feared 10 trust his case with jn- !
ny of his countrymen. He thanked the Court !
Tor their forbearance and kindness, ths County |
Solicitor Tor his civilty and genilemanly treat |
ment, he jury, and his own counsel, land /
closed with solemn appeal to his Maker |
and bis Judge,betore whom all must appear"
&C., and then retired with his wife and son. |
Guilty or innocent. (says the Comier.) he |
has passed through severe ordeal sustained
throughout mainly by the presence and sup
port OF the person who was most injured and
sinned against, If he was guilty, and whose
conduct, certainly, has been beyond all
praise"
There IS nothing in the result of this trial.
as we can see, which ought to render censu-
rabie the Ecclesiastical tribunal. The same
evidence, unimpeacbed, could have availed
'othing in court Of law to show him inno-
sent. Successfully impeacbing the main
evidence would change the aspect of any
;ause. The jury must have come to the
that conspiracy existed 10 OBJ
ain money. After all. there is much that's
naccouutabie-his letter-the payment of
money. and the attempt at suicide. But men,
'nder similar charges, hare paid money. and
afterwards proved their innoceuce.-Some
men may be so constituted IS to heuumar-