The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-05-21
Mr.. Webster's Reply to the New York
Invitation


Gentemen-l have received your communication
by the hands of Mr. Williams, and | acknowledge
myself overwhelmed by this proof of regard
from the city of New York An invitation to vsi,
that city, from SO many thousands Of " friends of
the Unlon without distinction of party" a. much
surpasses my merit as il exceeds my expectation. !
have the names, and as you suggest may be proba-
BILE, many Of them known To me, and / know
them TO he of high honor and character of
business and industry, of great stakes in the coun
try, and active supporters and props of all the in
situations of benevoence and charity, morality
and religion, literature and science, which adorn
the great commercial metropolis of the United
States.
for purposes of ceremony entertainment nor
| say that feel the necessity of any occasion
at present to express my sentiments in regard to
public affairs. All that think, aud all that feel,
on the great topics of The hour, is concealed from
nobody. But, NOW outstanding all this, and not
withsandiDg that my public duties are likely to de-
maDd my attention rather imperatveiy for
weeks to CONF, yet cannot persuade myself 10 say
that may not, at no distant time, make an effort
to meet my friends Ia NeWYork.
O,.e thing, gentlemen, Is certain; that if ad-
dress you any time, you will hear no change of
| tone, any falterng voice, in support oil that
cause which is dear to your hearts and 10 mine.
With grateful and profound regard. remain, gentlemen,
your friend and Obliged humble servant, -,
To Messrs. George Griswold and Others.
A MAYHEM CASE IN PHILApELPHIA.-The elo-
quent remarks which follow, were made by Judge
Parsons, of Philadelphia, the Sth inst, in adj
dressing two prisoners who had just been convicted
OF Mayhem One got six and the other seven
years solitary confinement in the penitentiary.
| Margaret Mccormick, you have plead guilty to
| the crime Of Mayhem, and Mary Welsh, you have
| been convicted an accessory before the fact,
| Or in the language Of the act OF Assembly, OF
| being alder, abetter and counsellor in the perpe-
tration Of the crime. The punishment by our sta
tute is the same as to both of you.
1t is in my view, from the facts disclosed on the
| trial, the worst Mayhem which malignant heart
could devise. In atrocty it has parallel in the
| history OF crimes of this description.
In order to accomplish your diabolical purpose,
| you induced young man IN the vigoT OF health,
with iar prospects in the life before him, to enter
| the house where you both resided under the garb
| OF affection and kindness, and then, in moment
| when no harm was suspected by him, threw into
his face and eyes large quantity of phuric acid
which has not only dsigured his countenance in a
most loathsome manner, but has literally burned
out his eyes, and made him forever blind.
The physical suffering which he has endured
for months past is beyond conception, and is wha,
| no human being, but one whose heart was filled
with the btterest magniy, would nfct upon
one Of his own race. Cnarity compels me to sus.
pect that you did not know the power of the acid
used when applied to the body, nor the injury il
would intct. But if you did, II is difficult to look
upon you but demons in human shape, if you
would infict such torture a fellow creature.
ITO him, far earthly enjoyment and any
thing can make the senses of this life desirable,
direct murder would have been of kindness
and shown, perhaps, more kindness of heart thar
the excruciating torture he has endured For
long time his life despaired Of and his recover,
is almost miraculous. While you are confined il
your dark and lonely cell, we would advise you t.
think of the unfortunate man to whom you hav,
made this world forever dark, from whose vision
you have shut out the light of day, and caused hin
to grope his way through life in total darkness.
" If while confined within the gloomy walls of
prison you should think Of the fair prospects il
nature, the green fields, beautiful flowers, tn
! pleasant valleys with their gentle streams, sur
, rounded with lofty mountains, and the fair land
scapes that often meet the eye, and sigh agai
to get glimpse at the beauties OF nature, re
!. member that you may live to them again; Blu
all these pleasing objects forever hid from tn
v sight of the unfortunate individual who has bee
e the victim of your malice. His eyes are foreve
n closed on these scenes. If you suffer during you
long Imprisonment, reflect how much greater mus
= be his Distress and if the voice of conscience
g not hushed in profound silence, you cannot fail
be stung with remorse for this foul deed. Then lie
d deep and sincere contrition of heart follow sue
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