Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-04-13
J. C. FREMONT.
THE MoRALor THE PARKmAN MURDER

THE MORALaor THE PARRMAN MURDER.
The juiy having found verdict of guilty
against DR.. Webster, for the murder of DR..
Parkman, we may CLEAN moral from the
whole affair The philosophy of eXplating
sacrifice seems 10 have an Illustration in this
extra liuary case. The aionement it proves
for sin in one or both Of the parties, may be
the salvation of others, and we will not lose
the occasion Of printing 50 sad a tale with a
plain moral. 1t appears that DR.. Parkman.
was very rich man. His sole care was his
great estate. But we want no other evidence
than that afforded in DR., Webster's trial. to
prove that Dr. Parkman was a money-lover;
! that he worshipped wealth for its own sake !;
that he was selfish, grasping and purse proud
capable Of giving few thousand dollars TO a
College with the vain-glorious condition that
proIesship should bear his name, but not
capable of Judging kindly an unfortunate deb
tor, of sympathizing in his straits and trials
and notifications and f0rgiving him any
part of his debt. Dr. Websiermay have been,
admit that he had been, prodigal beyond his
means. He could be so no longer. He had
given DR.. Parkman all the security in his
power for the claim against him-and he re-
lied for the support OF his family, and for the
provision for approaching age, upon small
! Income gained by his labor. What does DR..
Parkman do? He persecutes and badgers
! Webster for years, and goes about full of the
base and petty malignity Of a gold-grubbing
soul, 10 rob the poor man of his only posses
sion, his good name, He forgets even law,
TO say nothing of decency, in the pursuit of
his debt, and attempts to eXtort it from the
receiver of the College fees, who had no right
to pay them over 10 any one except the Col
lege professors-a fact which Parkman must
have known But avarice is often without
head, as il is always without heart. Park
man knew too that although Webster was
receiving several hundred dollars in the be-
ginning of his course Of lectures, yet that
that fund must constitute the bulk of his
years income, and if paid for an old debt
would leave no sufiiciency for the wants OF
Websler's family for the year. But hi.
was nothing TO the relentless creditor. He
must have his bonds penalty. He is pune.
tual to his appointment, as he was all things
one of those very honest men who pay all
that they owe but who never felt that di.
vine sympathy for want, which Christ enjoins
in his parable of the debtor aud creditor, and
which the spirit OF His religion proves to be
of more value TO the possessor, in His eyes
than the wealth of Solomon. DR.. Parkmar
was punctual 10 bis appointment with DR.
Webster, and he was paid, not as he deter
mined he would be, but as insult, defamation
and persecution prompted. We mean ne
apology for Dr. Webster for the course whicf
caused his poverty, much less for his shed
ding OF human blood But we present thi,
lesson to hard-heaued creditors, and thost
who, having enough themselves, think not o
the miseries of debt or want. Had DIR. Park
man been a generous, as well as an homes
man-had he felt for his neighbor as he woul,
have had his neighbor feel for him-had h,
even truly appreciated the holy charity whicl
it is the mission of his own brother to preacl
he wouid be alive at the moment; and tn
wretched man, who may expiate on a seal
fold the crime of his murder, might be in tn
midst of his innocent wife and daughters
blessing the friendship which was open hand
ed in the day Of need, and sought not lis ow
in the home of misfortune. e.-Phiid. Sun.
THE CLOWN in the circus al San Francisc
receives sl3 600 q wear