The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-22
Final Hearing in Prof webster's Case.

Yesterday, before the committee on pardons of
the executive council, made the last effort in
favor OF a communication Of DIR. Webster's SEN
tence. The proceedings were tedious and ram
bling, and not single ray Of light was thrown
upon the case, or new argument Of any practical
weight presented The Rev. Charles Spear and
Rev. John M. Spear, brothers, and missionaries
in behalf of prisoners generally, had the manage
ment of the suit for Communication.
The committee having taken their seats, Lieu
tenant-Governor Reed, chairman, said to Mr..
Charles Spear--''We are ready to hear you now,
If you have any thing To offer. What course do
you wish to takei Do you intend to make an
other speech ~
Mr.. Spear-I am prepared to, but suppose it
would be no use TO address you upon the abstract
question Of capital punishment.
Chairman--lt would hardly be proper to occupy
the time of the committee with that question.
We have sworn to administer the law it is.
We hold to the law il is, and intend to support
it. We have already extended great indulgence
by postpoDements in this case, and still ready
to hear any thing that can be offered tending to
show why the law should not be carried into
effect; why the case should be taken out from the
operation Of the law. The council would be re-
joiced to be relieved from the painful duty which
the law imposes upon them. I
The Messrs. Spear now presented thirty pc
titions for communication, representing about ,SOO
signers. Two were from the State Of New York,
one from Itochester, ~. H., one from VOoh-
socket, X. l., and one from California, signed by
N. A. M. Dudley, r. N. Berry, ]. L.. L. F.
Warren, and +. J. kewen, attorny general, and
thirty Others
The chairman asked, if the foreign petitions
were not prepared before Dr. Webster's confess
sion was made public. Mr.. Spear replied that
they were, and then remarked that it did not fol-
low that he was guilty because he had confessed,
for the Bournes Of Vermont had confessed muir
der, though not guilty.
Mr.. J. Fisk Allen, of Salem, by request of Mr..
Spear, produced grape vine club, grown in his
own garden within four years. 1t was about an
inch and half in diameter, and, though not very
heavy for stick of that thickness, was probably
of sufficient weight to infict mortal blow on the
head, il struck with great violence from a
favorable position and upon weak point in the
skull.
Mr. Charles Spear now proposed to state some
facts which occurred just prior to and subsequent
argue therefrom that that sentence and execution
were not followed by good results
The chairman told him, that the legislature was
the proper place for that argument.
MIR. Spear now proceeded to read written ad-
dress for the purpose OF defining his own position,
He believed that DR.. Webster had stated the cir
cumstances of his killing DR.. Parkman truly, and
he thought, if the committee believed him when
he stated that he did the deed, they ought to be-
ieve the whole of his statement, and consider the
killing only mansaughter. He dwet upon the
condition Of DR.. Webster's family, saying that the
chief punishment would fall upon them.
The Rev. Samuel Brimblecom, of Grafton, pre-
scented himself and made a most extraordinary adj
dress. He said he had no thought of appearing
before the committee when he came to the city,
and had not had time to arrange his thoughts; but
he came to the committee as christian, and in
behalf Of that portion of the community who are
christians. He had a Master, in whom he be-
lieved, and whom he served That Master had
commanded that we should overcome evil with
good, and this should be the law and practice of
man in dealing with his fellow man, however
erring. As the servant of my Master am bound
to strive to overcome evil. The phrenologist will
give me credit for having large organ Of ''frm-
ness" They will also tell you thatmy organ Of
"destructiveness" is also very large. In fact it is
so prominent, that can hardly keepmy hat upon
my head These organs bend to the service of
my Master. firmly resist every impulse to re-
turn evil for evil, and my destructiveness is en-
ployed in overcoming SHIN destroying evil with
good When violent punishment is inflicted
upon man, feel that am wronged. | feel
am overlooked. feel am neglected, and that
the law of my Master is disobeyed; that it is
wholly set aside, when evil is rendered for evil by
the infection Of punishment. Kindness will even
conquer the savage. Kindness is beautiful every
where. II is beautiful in our famGs.and at our
fresides, but it is still lovely arii beautiful
when practsed by the authorities OF the land
by the great men who hold the high offices Of the
State.
Chairman You will perceive that your re-
marks would be much better adapted to the legis-
lature than to the council.
Mr.. Brimblecom - You have the pardoning
power, and therefore may address you in favor
of mercy.
The Rev. James NJ Usher, of Medford, made
a very earnest appeal for the postponement Of the
RI until ofta ,bar ala holioy
ing that means could be adopted for obtaining the
votes of the people in relation to the execution Of
the law. He portrayed in glowing language the
future happiness Which councillors would enjoy,
| if, in consequence Of the delay, Communication
should be obtained, and DIR. Webster should prove
himself to be good and true man, under the dis
cipline Of the state prison.
| Charles Tappan of this city also spoke in favor
| of communication, he being doubtful whether the
offence was premeditated. He thought the con-
fnement of college professor in the State prison
would exert great moral influence upon the COM
munity. He thought tens of thousands would
visit the prison and be ndmonished by his fate,
who would never think of going there to see less
distinguished convict.
The hearing was here closed, and in the course
of the forenoon the committee came to decision,
and directed the chairman to draw up the report
and submit it to the full board at ten clock this
forenoon.
PROFESSOR wEBsTER's EXECUTION FIXED.
At the adjourned meeting of the governor and
council, yesterday forenoon, Lieutenant Governor
Reed, chairman of the committee on pardons, sub
mitted the following unanimous report against
committing DR.. Webster's sentence, and naming
Friday, August 80, as the day Of exection:
REPORTS:
The committee on pardons, to whom was refer
red the petition of John w. Webster, convict
under sentence of death, praying, in behalf of
himself and his wife and children, the governor
and council to extend to the prisoner a cOmmuta-
ton of the punishment awarded to him; also a
copy of the records Of the court, containing the
trial and sentence of the said Webster and also
sundry other petitions and arguments referring to-
or in support Of, the petition of said Webster
now report.
That, by said record it appears that said Web
ster was Regularly indicted for the crime Of the
murder of DR.. George Parkman, and set to the
bar Of the supreme court at the March term there
of, A. ID. 1S50-and there having been endured