Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-10-13


weeks, has finally closed. The trial at
Lebanon, it is generally admitted, has
been ably and impartially conducted.
Judge Rogers has received deserved
commendation for the ability, modera-
ton and strong sense of justice he has
displayed. He has proved himself a
Icumpetent, learned and an impartial
Judge. The jury was composed OF
sound and sterling men, unprejudiced
in their opinions. and determined to
perform what to them was sad and
solemn duty. The case has been ener-
eetically and ably conducted, both by
die counsel for the State and the de-
fence. No effort nor honorable means
have been spared to give William Kis-
sane fair and impartial trial, and we
believe, as far as nature can be infalli-
Die, he has received what were his Just
deserts.
The verdict was returned by the
Jurors after retirement of three hours,
and Its announcement was most solemn
and effective. The general impression
in and about Lebanon was that Kissane
would either be acquitted or that the
jury would disagree. Their decision
of "Guilty" caused general surprise,
accompanied by a saddening influence,
as large share of sympathy had been
awakened in behalf of the unfortunate
man, who, whatever his sins, has suf-
fered greatly, and whose position can
not but be calculated to arouse pity
even in the sternest bosoms. Kissane's
late standing in society, his previous
reputation, his youth and his sudden
fall from high position into dishonor and
probable crime, have linked to his name
species of romance and mystery, and
strange curiosity, that have been felt
throughout the land.
We know not when we have witnessed
more singularly impressive and
mournful scene than that which attended
the rendition of the verdict.
The Court room was dimly lighted,
the night without was dark and stormy,
as if in unison with the fate of the
prisoner, when he was brought in to
hear the decision of those twelve men
upon whom his future destiny hung,
and with whom his every worldly ex-
pectation rested.
Kissane looked full of hope, he stood
up before those jurymen, and gazed
fxedly at them, as if he would read
their sentence ere it was uttered. The
awful word guilty" fell not upon his
ear, as much as upon his soul, which
seemed to shrivel before that fearful
sound. Every ray of hope died in his
countenance; he started and gazed
wildly around as if to seek for protec
ton, and sank overpowered beneath the
unanticipated blow. He grasped ner-
vously the arm of his counsel, Judge
Walker, who had struggled so nobly in
his defense, and who had fought so
bravely, though in vain, against the
dark and impending fate which awaited
him, and exclaiming in trembling and
appalling tone: That is 'OrOng, Judge!
As Heaven is my sOitness, I did not do IT,"
UuISJ lulO all VI lSdAos
Each spectator in that Court room felt
thrill of woe, in that painful and awful
scene, dead as the hope of the unfortu-
nate who wept, weeping like child be-
fore them.
Justice, perhaps, had been done; but
Justice is stern and terrible; it softens
| not its rigor though human nature is its
victim. Justice, thou art fearless and
stony, and dreadful, when meek-eyed
Mercy folds thee not beneath her snowy
wingsi
The scene will be long burned upon
our memory. Near Kissane sat his
young brother, bathed in tears, and sob
bing as if his heart would break-help
less then he seemed and deserted: the
elder brother, to whom he had looked
up as to father, plunged in despair
and afliction, was near him, a convicted
felon. The mother of these two young
men, thank Heaven, was not there
She had not vet learned that fearful
intelligence which will slope the dark
ened descent to her no distant tomb
She was awaiting with breathless sus-
pense and anxious mind, and high,
beating heart, the return to his home of
the cherished son. A mothers love
had never accused HMM her sight he
was as innocent as when he lay, smil
ing, infant, upon her bosom. The hour
approached when she awaited his
coming-the declaration of his acquit-
tai. How bitter, how crushing the dis
appointment
And who was to bear the sad tidings
to that mother? Who was to awaken
her from the happy dreams to the hor-
rible reality?
Her Younger son, who wept there by
his convicted brother, he was to apply
the torch to his mothers hopes that
would burn them into blackened en-
bers.
We thought of this, and others
thought of it. And is it strange, if a
tear sprung into the eye, and for mo-
ment Shut out even the form of justice,
and turned the vision inward toward the
weakness Of our common nature, and
the sorrowing gaze of Mercy, even
praying at stern Justices feet.
Kissane has, since his conviction, at
tempted suicide. Death must be well
come to him. 1t were better much that