The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-12-03
Capital OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Cause Q
Crime.

The heart Of the Philanthropic and
the finer sensibiltes Of the moral and
religiousamong our citizens, have been
subjected within the last few days, to
the trial, chagrin, modification and
humiliation, consequent uponthe stern
execution Of the laws Of our land upon
one Of our citizens who had, under the
influence Of that which bitelh like
serpent and stingeth ike an adder"
in a rash moment of drunken mad
ness or frenzied desperation, goaded
on by real Or imaginary wrongs, COM
mitted an act for which he has dearly
| paid the dread penalty attached TO the
preparation of homicide, On Friday
last, LECoUNT, the murderer of Clinch,
in accordance with the sentence Of the
Criminal Court of Hamilton county
in p. esence of private and select
| party who always enjoy such scenes
of human misery as among the rare
luxuries of life-was hurried off to
"that bourne whence no traveller
returns" with all the weight of the
accumulated crimes of forty years
against God and man pressing heavily
upon his soul.
! While we mourn in sorrow for the
unfortunate individual whose crime
has thus been expiated at the altar Of
public Justice, and have tear to drop
in view of the sad fate of the widow
and orphan, whose regulations for the
future must necessarily be spotted with
disgrace of the husband and father;
yet, at the same time, under all the cir
cumstances of the aggravated nature
of the crime, we cannot but rejoice that
the laws have been faithfully executed.
Whatever may be the various and con-
llicting opinions among our friends, as
, to the justice or necessity of capital
punishment, all will concur in the SEN
timent, that it is essential to the peace,
safety, harmony and good order Of
society, that all unite in an inhexible
determination that the laws enacted
by our chosen representatives shall be
enforced to their utmost demands.
: But let US ask, in the name of JUS
tice, of mercy, and of outraged hu.
manity everywhere, whence comes the
painful and melancholy necessity THE
t law thus violently taking away that
e which God alone hath given, and which
He alone should take? Where shall
, we look to find the fountain whence
: springs such sad alternatives-such
: mournful legal tragedies, as has thus
been enacted-in secretthoughitwas-
, in our very midst! Where? Let the
unfortunate victim himself, in his last
will and testament, answer the ques.
ton. In a clerical interview with the
unfortunate man a few hours before
the fatal drop, he is reported to have
said: WHAT CRIMES l HAVE EvEF
COMMITTED HAVE BEEN DONE UPON PAS
sIoNATE IMPULSE, FIRED IN EVERY CASE
BY RUM, THE DEVIL TO WHICH
OWE THE IGNoMINIoUs FATE THAT NOW
AWAITS ME-"
A more whitening rebuke, a more
biting sarcasm, stronger argument,
deeper condemnation, we consider
! ourselves incapable of making against
4 the liquor traffic and the fashionable
indulgence of the intoxicating bowl
i than is contained in these last and dy.
= ing words of the culprit.
r. They affords an argument in favo
l. ortbe enactment Of a law by ourLegis
E. lature during its present session, em
st bodying the principles of the celebra
of ted anti-liquor laws Of the States {
9r Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode ISLAND
Wisconsin, and Minnesota Ter.,-er
at actments righteous in their conception
. just in their provisions, and thus fa
j. salutary in their operation. 1t is
legislation of which these States ma
+ justly be proud. These laws are thei
T "crowns of glory and diadems of beat
$ ty;" and if those States are justly celt
. brated in the annals of our country 70
st liking the first blow in the Revolu
o ton which resulted in the freedom G
the colonies from the tyranny of tn
= British king, how much more vii
e they in all time to come be cherishe,
e and admired by all true friends Q
|, man. for thus striking the first blow il