The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-27

price OF the Foreign vepts Oh Mexico 70 tne uHdu-
vantage of our commercial Interests and republican
principles. Let the administration look to MEXICO
THE LArs ExKcUTIoNs-THE CASE OF CLE-
MEsrs.-T*e execution of Douglass and Benson
who were tried, convicted, and sentenced to be
hanged for the crime of numbering Asa Havcns. late
mate Of the bark Glen, has created deep sensa-
tion IN this community Whenever the dread re-
qurements of the law are carried into effect, the
pr-priety Of abolishipg the death penalty becomes
sznatter of discussion, and is debated with mere
or less warmth, blended with much feeling and hu-
mainly, that are to be admired, and much sophism
and falacy, that cannot be allowed TO have weight.
The narrative of his life and career, written by the
vi fortunate man Douglass, and published in yes
terday's Herald, was re I'd with great interest BY
the public. In the main, according to the crimi-
nails statements, it was correct. There was
coloring, he admitted, in the details; but the
last paragraph, in which he denied his guilt of mur.
dering Mr.. Havens, was, by his owr confession
when on the eve Of being launched into eternity
false, and did great injtstice to Captain Small,
whose testimony ctear, positive, and 20 the
point. Some pseudo rhilanthrorists may dislike
the publication of the document in question, but
are we'll satisfied that it will be attended by good
suits. 1t is warning to the youth of the land to
beware of committing sin-to svod, in sae words
ofthe dying man, beginning with small things Of
/ evil, lest they end in large ones" Such warning
| to our young men, addressed to them ty one who
was about to be sent into the presence o. his Maker
in the prime of life, and wto under other circum-
stances, might have looked forward With hope to
/ the future-such a warnisg, under ouch circun-
stances, cannot fail to be productive Of good, In
prorortion TO its circulation.
But it net for the parpose of Il. or llizng that
! we com menced this article We desired to drsw
! the attention of the public, the press aud the
President ofthe United States to the case Of Ole
nents, who was convicted at the seme time, OF the
same crime and Who would have been execute
with Douglass and Benson, but for the respite
granted by Mr. Fillmore, for reasons which We ere
not acquainted with hut which were doubtless ssts
factory to him 1t is worthy Of remark that Dcug-
lass, who confessed his own guilt, and whc, no
doubt, was the ringleader of the mutneers, repeal,
edly stated during his confinement that be was i'm
noeent of the murder of Mr.. Haveps, and that it
was Clements who committed the dreadful deed
Clements denied the charge from the first, and
counted for having the gun With which the fata
shot fred, in his hands when the captain came
on deck, by saying that when Douglass discharged
it he threw it towards him, and sought to procure
an axe or some other weapon more effective for
deadly purposes than an unloaded musket. Tue
captain spoke the truth when he said that WHOM he
assembled On deck the musket was in the hsrds Of
Clements; and this part oftis test mony, more than
any other, doubt, induced the jury to think tn ,,
Clements took part in killing the mate. It vas
very natural conclusion, and was entitled to great
weight. /: will be borne in mind, however, that
Douglass, before his execution. withdrew his
statement that Clements fred the fata, shot,
ana that both he and Benson, with the
rope around teir necks, and in q clear and uo-
falterng voice, asserted that Clements limo
cent of the crime with which he charged aud
was not deserving Of death. This assertion il.
OF this time, very important, and entitled
20 great weight, considering the circumstances
under which it made. 1t not only corroboates
what Clements has frequently stated, from the be-
ginning, when interrogated the subject; but the
state Of mind in which Douglass and Benson were
in at the time of their execution, forbids the dos
that it wac false. and made for the single purpose
of saving Clements. Misery, it is said, likes COM
paDy; and uurderers have often consoed them
selves that other criminals die at the same
time appointed for them. If Clements was guilty
Of the act Of shooting Mr.. Have ne il is not proba-
Die that Douglass and Benson would willingly de.
prye themselves Of the poor consolation OF the
number Of victims being three instead of two.
Under all the circumstances, we think the case Of
Clements is one which lie worthy the interposition
Of the Presdent's prerogatye. In the eye OF the
law, he il as much guilty of the murder of H,vens
as Douglass war, if he aided aud sbetted the lat
ter; but there lie no proof that be took active
part in the mutny. And We are not sure :ha.
If Clements' trial were now to take place, with
Douglass and Bensons assertion on record, the jury
would bring him in guilty. We incline to the belief
tina, they would not. Neither does the Law de-
mard vengeance; and justice must he te np,rei
with mercy. AS il is, two have fearfllly
atoned for the shedding Of llavens' blood. Would
il not be Wen for those who agree With us, 10 set
about circulating petitions praying the Fresidentto
reIrieye Clementsl
Tn EF.y - \