The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-07-19

DIR. WEBsTER,s CASE.

IL.
The final hearing before the Committee of the Coun
ell was given yesterday. vast number OF petitions
numerousy signed, from various parts of the country
was presented, among them one from Sacramento II
California, signcdby J. L. L. F. Warren and others
The most of them were obtained before the recent con
fesson of Dr. Webster, and the suggestion was made
hy the Chairman of the Committee, whether 1t would
he best to present these. Charles Spear, who had
charge of Them thought it BEST and they were all
presented. ]. Fiske Allen, Of Salem was then intro
duced and presented several pieces of grapevine cut
from his grounds, of which,-a formidable looking
weaponcorrespondcd in size with the description CIV
en- by DR.. Webster, of the one with which he killed
DIR. Parkman He was about to make some remarks
on the growth Of the grapevine when the members of
the committee intimated that their own personal ac
uuantance with the article rendered his explanation
unnecessary
J. NJ Spear then proceeded to make some remarks
and to state some facts in relation the last execution
in the State, to show that the effect perncious
the morals of the community and did not deter from
the commission of crime; when the chairman said that
this would be very proper argument to present to the
legislature in favor of repeal of the law, but they
were sworn to support the law and meant to do it,
far as lay in their power.
Charles Spear followed, and made an able argument
in favor of commutation. He alluded to the new de-
velopments since the trial, and urged that there
reasons for a communication in this case which did not
apply to any other recent case How the punishment
would fall most heavily those who were innocent
while in the of Goode Pearson and Others they
had families to be lacerated by the inhicton of such
penalty.
1t had been claimed that Justice could be satisfied
only the execution of the offender but there was an
other attribute to be satisfied, beautiful than the
rainbow and the criminal might be brought, by the e
ercise Of Mercy, into the fold of the Great Shepherd
Repentance the great object to be sought-the gall
lows could effect this and if the victim is fit to die
he is certainly fit to live
Rev. S. S. Brembecom of Grafton, then made
strong appeal to the Committee against the operation of
the law of vindctive justice. The Chairman suggest
ed that his Iremarks would be more appropriately ad-
dressed to the legislature He replied that the pardon
ing power vested in the Governor and Council
lie was willing the death penalty might remain on the
books, Tor there might be criminals so hardened
and dangerous as to be unsafe in the State prison. But
IN Dr. Webster's case there is no danger.
Rev. Mr. Usher and Charles Tappan of Boston fol-
lowed, the latter stating his belief that the murderer
ought to be hung, but he thought there was enough
doubt in this case to justify repreya and he thought
the influence OF the punishment would be much greater
than in ordinary cases.
1t is reported out of doors, that the report of the
COMMITTEE is adverse to Communication, and that day
IN October is designated for the execution The report
is to be acted on this morning.
We have gathered these facts chiefly from the Bos
ton Journal and Traveller Of last evening.