The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-05

very distressing kind. Conscious that II
the unfortunate man was really guilty, he
was not at least deserving Of capital pun
lishment. | exerted myself TO get reprieve.
In the frs: place waited privately on the
judge, but he would listen to no proposal
for respite. Along with number OF in
dividuals. chiefly of the society OF Friends,
petitioned the Crown for a Communication
of the sentence. But being unaccomPa-
MED by the Judge, the prayer of our Peti-
ton was Of course disregarded; the law, il
was said, must take its course. How much
cruelty has been exercised under shelter oil
that remorseless expression
would willingly pass over the succeed
ing events. Unable to save his life, en-
deavored to soothe the few remaining hours
Of the doomed convict, and frequently WIS.,
tied him in the condemned cell. The more
| saw Of him, the deeper grew my sympa-
thy in his case, which was that Of no vulgar
ielon. d have been most unfortunate
man, said he one day to me, "a destiny to-
wards ruin in life and in fortune has Pur-
sued me. feel as il deserted by God and
man; yet / know, or at least would per-
suade myself, that Heaven will one day
yindicate my innocence Of this foul charge.
To think OF being hanged like dog Tor a
crime at which my soul revolts? Great is
the crime of these imbecile Jurors and that
false and hard-hearted Judge, who thus, by
an irreveIsible decree, consigns a fellow
being 10 death OF violence and disgrace.
Oh God! help me to sustain that bitter, bit
ter hourp- then the poor man would
throw himself on his bed and weep.
But tho parting with his wife and chill
dren-what pen can describe that terrible
interview They knelt in prayer, their
wo-begone countenances sufused in tears,
and with hands clasped together. The
scene was too narrowing and sacred for the
eye Of stranger. ! rushed from the cell
and buried myself in my lodgings, whence
| did not remove till all was over. Next
day James Harvey, victim Of circumstan-
tial evidence, and Of barbarous criminal
code, persisted on the scafold.
Three weeks afterward, the court arrived
at a populous city in the west OF England.
1t had in the interval, visited another assize
town, and there Judge A. had left three
for execution. At the trials Of these men,
however, had not attended. So shocked
had been my feelings with the mournfnl
event which had taken place at -.
that | had gone into Walesfor change Of
scene. After roaming about for fortnight
amidst the wild solitudes OF Cernavonshire,
[ took the stage for the city which ! knew
the court was to visit, and arrived on the
day previous to the opening of the ASST
zee.
well, are we to have heavy calendar
| inquired next morning Of brother bar
rister, on entering the court.
Rather light for March assize, replied
the impatient counsel, as he hustled onward.
There's Cartwright's case-highway rob-
bery-in which | am for the prosecution.
He'll swing for il, and perhaps four or Eve
Others
"A good hanging Judge is A.. said
the under sheriff, who at that moment ioin-I
ed us, rubbing his hands, as if pleased with
the prospect Of a few executions. No
chance of the prophecy yOnder coming to
pass | suppose?
Not in the least, replied the busting
counsel. 'Ile never looked better. His
illness has gone completely of. And this
days work will brighten him up
Cartwright's trial came on. / had never
seen the man before, and was not aware
this was the same person whom Harvey had
incidentally told me he had discharged for
theft, the truth being that till the last mo-
ment Of his existence, thatunfortunate man
had not known how much he had been a |
sacrifice to this wretch's malice.
The crime Of which the villain now stood |
accused was that Of robbing farmer of the
paltry sum Of eight shillings, in the neigh |
boIhood of llsfracombe. He pleaded not
guilty, but put in no defence. A verdict
was recorded against him. and in due form
A. sentenced him to be hanged. An
Of fiendish nlalignancy cleaned
ever the haggard features of the felon as he
asked leave to address few words to the
court. 1t was granted. Leaning forward,
and raising his heavy scowling eyes to the
Judge, he thus began:
There is something on my mind, my
ord, dreadful crime, which, as am 10 7
lie for eight shillings took from the far
ner, | may as well confess. You may re-
member Harvey, my lord, whom you hang
ID the other day Att
what Of him, fellow?' replied the Judge.
lis features suddenly flushing crimson. /
why, my lord, only this-that he was
IS innocent Of the crime for which YOU
Ianged him, as the child unbornl Ibid the
iced! put the watch in his trunkp And
the unutterable horror Of the entire court
e related the whole particulars Of the tran
action, the origin Of his grudge against
harvey, and his delight on bringing hinisoi {
he gallows.
'lnhuman. execrable villain gasped the ;
ldgei in extreme excitement. ID
'Cleverly done though! Was il not. my !
ord? reloined the ruf6an with bitter ifony. Il
The evidence, you know, is irresistible: the
rime clear as the sun at MONDAY: and il. i
such plain cases, the JUST and necessary I
NV was not enforced, society would be dis. S
'ived, and there would be no security for d
roperty. These were your words, 1 "
link. How on that occasion, | admired
our lordship's judgment and eloquencei-tl
oclety would be dissolved if an innocent d
ian were not hanged Hal-Hal-Ha,-Ig
aPital capitalr shouted the ferocious felon a