The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-07-15

mand bids them shalt" The cheeks
Of the private assumed pallid hue, and
the eyes of the officer flashed with an
unsteady glare, and all awaited the re.
suit Of further orders with an inGescrib.
able feeling Of dismay and horrid sus.
Spense. -3@
But it soon was heard-how dread.
fuI were the words it uttered-"Prison-
ers, prepare 10 die!" a'.g sleal&
The condemned men advanced, and
were led to an open space directly in
front Of the main line fine noble look.
ing men they were, and stood with firm
and undaunted courage to meet the
fire Of those deadly muskets which
would send the reckless bullet deep in.
to their very hearts, and lay them
mangled and torn upon the sod. Still
firm and fearless they were, and they
betrayed no emotion as the commander
commented upon their fate. y 3 ~
"Men," said The commander, General
Howe; ~ hope the execution you will
shortly witness, may serve as lesson
that will never be forgotten. Painful
as this duty is, it is requisite 1t must
be performed--law must be enforced or
else all order in the army would be set
at defiance; and no officer in his maies-
TVS regiment would be sale from the
vengeance Of the infuriated private,
who would conside, himself aggrieved,
and would cry for vengeance, only for
being reproved for neglect Of juty.-
The offences Of these men are Of dread
ful magnitude; the revollers, Pierre Le-
rome, has dared to raise his hand against
my respectable and genllemaniy Off
Ger, Lieut.. Morton; and his companions
who are to suffer by his side, encour-
aged him in SO doing. They have been
tried by cour! martial composed Of
men Of humane and. charitable disposi-
lions, and who would rather forgive
than condemn them,but the amount Of
proof against them was too clear-jus-
tice must be done-the criminals must
undergo the severe sentence, and re-
ceive that which is great deal worse.
than death-d dishonor! Let this Terrible
example cause you to treat the COM
mands Of your superior officers with
that respect which. is due to them from
soldiers and men. Hear now the sem
tence by which these men must die
Sergeant read the law"
The Sergeant obeyed the command,
and read the law in regard to the pun
ishment of soldiers for not obeying the
commands of officers. 1t ran thus:--
"lf any soldier belonging to his Males.
tvs troops shall revolt, desert or refuse
to obey the commands OF his superior
officer, he shall be arrested and brought
to trial before court composed Of mil
itary officers, and if found guilty shall
be condemned 10 suffer death by the
nusket, in presence of the regiment to
which he belonged. In case he escapes
the fire of the first and second platoon,
he shall be free, both from punishment
and the SERVICE"
Pierre Lerone at this moment re-
quested leave to speak, which was
granted him. In firm voice he said
Comrades, l have been brought here to
die-to die like dog--to die for re-.
senting an insult given to my only child,
by that tyrannical wretch, Morton. l
do not grieve for myself, but my COM
rades who are to die with me have
friends and homes far over the Allan
tic. in the land Of happy England, who
will mourn their fate. They do not
deserve dea,h; they only said that |
was right in what did: they did not
urge me on to the deed. appeal TO
every father who loves his child. if the
act was not commendable? Who a
mong you could see your daughter forc-
ed to bear the insults of any man,
whether he be superior or not. But
for doing this am condemned to die
by the laws of that country for which
have braved the storm Of many bat
tie. Was it for this | have taken up
arms against people struggling for
their iberty9 Was it for this have
endured hunger, thirst, cold and miserya
But am prepared TO die--l quail not
beneath the glance Of death. 1t will
soon be oyer--I am ready now-see
that can die like man. Pierre lie.
rome scorns and despises his accusers.
Comrades farewell--Morton remember
the day ofretribution. q fi.f
At the conclusion OF this speech Le-
rome and his companions prepared
themselves to receive the charge. I.
Horrid suspense.
Morton stood pale anG trembling,
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