New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-20
Con mit,ee Mr. J. Fkke Allen Of Salem, who was
present. and had with him some specimen, Of

grape vine, which be cut from bis Own yard
There were several pieces, the principal one being
ABOUT Jour feet long and of nearly the size Of the
/ piece with which Prof Web.ter saws be killed
/ Dr. Parkmsn. IL was a piece OF about fDar years
/ CROWN lne other pieces were small branches Oi
tbe present years growth, with which Mr. Alien
mteIced 10 point out some peculiarly ia the
grOath OF the vine-but the Chairman and the
nembefs OF the Committee animated that mas
much AZ their body were more or less intimately
acquainted with the grape, his ex EXPLANATIONS were
unnecessary. The specimens were left upon the
table for the inspection OF the Committee The
largest piece looked as though IL woald be 4
deadly weapon 10 the hands Of an abe bodied man
Mr.. Spear then proceeded ~ make some remarks
and ia reply to a question from the Chairman ~ 70
what he wished TO do, said there was 4 fact or two
which occurred Immediately proceeding and SUP
sequent to the last execution IN this State Sboat
year since, which be should like 20 nsrate.
The Chairman told him he thought tina. was all
useless-that IL would do no good.
Mr. Spear said be wanted % show that the exc
cu,ion lsst year did not prevent the commission Of
crimes OF this sort
The Chairman suggested that if he had long
argument TO present upon that point, the proper
place to do 80 before the next Legislature, who
would doubtless hear il.
Mr. Spear said he had taken pains % col &c. some
facts in regard TO the influence Of that execution
upon those in the prison, where Goode was hung
as well as upon those Outside-which he should
like to present for the consideration OF the Com
mittee.
The Chairman stated that the Committee was
inclined to give the greatest liberty, bat could no.
allow everything. They were sworn 20 support
the law, and meant 10 do it so far in their pow
err. Mr. Spear then said that perhaps the consii-
GRAFTON OF the matter of the confession might not
be out of place He wanted TO show that II was
not certain that Prot Webster was guilty, ath) ugh
ba sed hai Oc-
Cured where men who were innocent had con-
ftssed committing crime, with the hope of caping
punishment He alluded to the case OF the
Bournes in Vermont. He repeated, il did not FOL.
low that Prof Webster was certainly guilty be-
cause he had confessed.
The Chairman asked which side OF the matter
the Committee should take. They must take one
or the other.
Mr. Spear said if we take the confession on the
other ground it would seem as if there was some
credit due the prisoner account OF the confess
1t shoH ed that he possessed some good qualities
In the executions which had taken place in the
State for the last twenty years none OF the Grim
inals had made a confession as had Professor
Webster In conclusion, Mr. Spear said larger
number of petitions could have been obtained had
there been time. He would now leave the pris-
oner in the Committees hands IL was a solemn
day for Them He did not know as any thing more
could be said. Perhaps this was the last man who
would be hung in the COmmonwes and shall is
be said that that man was Professor In Harvard
College 1t may be!
Mr.. Charles Spear then resumed the floor and
read lengthy plea in favor Of commutatiou He
alluded to the soemnity of the occasion-to the
condition Of the prisoners fsmly-the hanging OF
Pearson, which takes place on the morrow, and
stated that he was engaged in these lsbors unso.
licited and unrewarded by any one, and on hiso1n
responsibility.
He then proceeded to enumerate the following
points, upon which lie asked for comnatation OF
sentence First, the family Of the criminal Here
toiore in the executions which had taken place, the
family Of the prisoner was scarcely known. Such
was the case with Goode, and is the case with
Pearson. But in Prof Webster case il is differ
ent. From their social position they were widely
known, and much greater interest was felt for
them He alluded to the influence Of crime and its
punishment upon the domestic circle where lis
saddest effects might be sees.
The second point he alluded to vas, the new dc.
veopments which have been made since the trial.
The confession, he thought, bore the marks Of
truth and yeracty though it Genes unfer circum- |
stances which would lead US to doubt its truth. He
argued thar the confes sion placed the sss in a
isht-tbat 1t settled several important points
hat DR. Parsman is dead-that Li.tlefed is not |
implicated, &c.
He thought it bad had great impression upon
he community, and upon the mind Of the Commit |
tee, as seen in their calling to their aid the |
opinions Of scientific in regard to the effect of
he blow, &c All these things he thought ough. to |
nave Influence in favor Of Communication, or at |
east Of having the day OF execution put off to &
ar distant period
He then alluded to two objections which were |
urged against this an It was said that G0ode |
bad been hung, and Pearson was to be hung and |
y by should there be an exception made in this |
case Then there followed a contrast OF the social
position Of the three criminals Granting all that |
could be said upon these points, Mr.. Spear contend
ed that We ought 10 have some better reason for |
he sacrifice than the law Of consistency. Society,
he contended, does not need a victim.
In continuing, Mr. Spear said he supposed the |
greatest obstacle in the way was, that thece was
10 way of satisfying the demands Of justice with. |
,ut the sacrifice Of the victim. He thought there |
xes another attribute to be satis6ed-mOre beau,i |
al than the rainbow. May he not, The asked by |
he exercise Of mercy, be brought to repentance !
md be gathered into the fold OF the Great Shepherd
He thought dark theology had blinded our
mind in regard to the union Of justice and mercy.
Repentance was the great object to be sought
The gGlOws could not effect this and il it could,
Ind the victim was tit to die, he certainly 6t to
i've He thought he had cut the Gordian Knot
md shown how they might be satisfied. Mr. Spear
hen concluded by quoting the be autiful allegory,
delivered by Hon. Mr.. Crittebden before Jury ia
,ehalf Of a criminsl-which was published recent
y in our columns-and an Incident In which Queen
ictoiia pardoned deserter
Rev Brimblecomb, Universalist minister
rom Grafton, then made few remarks, and said
hat be appeared in behalf Of portion OF the com.
nunity too apt to be forgotten--as q Christian
beh alf of that portion OF bis felIo VINO are
christians, and who wished to take the best method
o prevent crime. He had Master, whose laws
e wished to follow, and the principle OF His laws
vas to overcome evil with good. He taught his
blowers to do right, and not TO fear the conse.
uences From that he passed to the chronological
eveopments Of his own craniun on which he
aid the organs Of frmHess and destrUctiUeHess
we're most largely developed-the latter to such an
xtent that his hat could with difficulty be kept in
IS place. These organs be had used, the first re-
isiipg and suppressiDg the promPtings OF his evil
passions and the other TO the destruction Of sin.