The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-01
A PAINFUL CASE.

.
We have rarely read more interesting
and at the same time more painful nara-'
tive than the following. which we find in
an account Of recent trial al the Old
Bailey in London. Lord Chief Justice
Tindal presiding:
George Hammond. a portrait painter,
was placed at the bar. to be tried on an
indictment found against him by the grand
Jury for wilul murder. with malice atore-
thought. of George Baldwin. "A rope dancer
and mounlebank. The prisoner was a
man of middle height, ,s.but slender FORM.
His eyes were blue and mild. His whole
being gave evidence Of subdued sadness
and melancholy resignation. He was for
ty-one years of age. and had soft voice.
and his manner and appearance bore tes-
timony of his being man of distinguish
ed education, in spite Of the poverty OF his
dress.
On being called on to plead. the prison
er admitted that he did kill Baldwin, and
deplored the act, adding, however. that on
his soul and conscience he did not believe
himself guilty. Thereupon jury was.
empanneled to try the prisoper. The in
diciment was read to the jury, and the act
of killing being admitted, the Government
rested their case, and the prisoner was.
called upon for his defense.
The prisoner then addressed himself 10
the court and jury.
"My lord," said he, "my justification is
to ba found in a recital Of the facts. Three
wears ago lost daughter then four years
of age the sole memorial of my beloved
wife, whom it pleased God to recall 10
himself. | lost her; but | did not see her
die. She disappeared--she was stolen
from me. She was a charming child, and
but her had nobody in the world to love
me. Gentlemen. what have suffered
cannot be described, you cannot compre-
hend it. have expended in advertising
and irutless searches everything possess
ed-iurniture, pictures. and even to my
clothes. All has been sold. For three
years. and on foot. have sought for my
child in all the cities and villages in the
three kingdoms. As soon as by painting
portraits | had succeeded in gaining lit
tie money, | returned to London 10 re-
commence my advertisements in the news
papers. At length on Friday. the 14th day
OF April last. crossed the Smithfeld cat
, tie market In the centre Of the market a
troupe OF mountebanks were performing
f their teats. Among them child was turn
, ing on its head, its legs in the air, and its
f head supported by a halberd. Array from
the soul of its mother must have penetrat-
ed my own, for me to have recognized my
I child in that condition. 1t was my poor
| child. Her mother would perhaps have
/. precipitated herself in her arms. As for
me, veil passed over my eyes. knew
not how it was; |, habitnally gentle. even
t to weakness. seized bin by his clothes;
raised him in the air, then dashed him to
, the ground-then again. He was dead
, Afterwards | repented what had done.
t At that moment I regretted that was only
able to kill him but once"
y Lord Ckief Justice Tndal-These arc
0 not Christian sentiments. How can you
n expect the court and jury to look with fa-
e vor on your defense. or God TO pardon you
4 if you cannot forgive!
$ Prisoner.-I know, my lord. what will
be your Judgment, and that Of the jury, but
a God has already psrdoned me; feel it in
n my heart You know not-l knew not
: then-the whole extent of the evilthat man
o had done me. When some compassion
9 ate people brought me my daughter in.my
e prison, she was no longer my child; she
il was no longer pure and angelic as former
ly; she was corrupted body and soul-her
}, manner, her language, infamous, like those
}. Of the people with whom she had been liv-
It ing She did not recognize me, and no
- longer recognized her myself Do you
II comprehend me now! That man had rob-
e bed me of the love and soul Of my child.
And I-have killed him but once. 'fs
n Foreman.-My lord, we have agreed on
our verdict. 4 s,t ,ii,,t 4 Is N ia
u Chief usiice.-Lnnderstand you gen.