The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-03

officer. In vain Cadellne protested his
innocence; they dragged him away and
confined him, under strong guard.
On the following morning an unusual
activity among the officers, told that some
thing of more than ordinary Importance
was to take place, as each one hastened
though court martial is not a very unu-
sual affair. yet it is sufficiently rare to at
tract great attention in camp.
Soon the quick roll OF the drum told that
the court had convened, and were ready
to try criminal. Within Spacious tent
were gathered a large number of officers
in full uniform. Seated on raised plat
form was General Levack acting as Judge.
Another roll Of the drum announced the
entrance of the prisoner.
"Of what is this man charged?" asked
the Judge.
"Wifh the attempt to destroy the life Of
his superioro ficer, Colonel Lavilier,' said
the advocate.
.Where is the accuser2" continued the
court.
s'Here. may it please your excellency."
replied the colonel, whose arm was bound
up with a sling.
f" How came Martel to attempt your
life?"
Il know not" said Laviier.
"What provoked the insultl''
ga conversation with young girl, with
whom the prisoner is acquainted
..Is that all?"
'.It is, your excellency."
After short consultation with the other
officers, the Judge turned to the prisoner
and thus addressed him
"Anthony Martel. you have been found
guilty Of an attempt 10 murder superior
officer of the French army, the punishment
OF which crime is death. What have you
TO say why you should not suffer the ex-
treme penalty Of the law which you have
offended?"
Martel, who stood as slough unconsc cious
until now. raised his manly form; standing
erect, he bent his searching eyes upon the
Colonel and said in firm voice.
"Your excellency, am aware that any
yindication which may make would be
of no avail, but being thus permitted,
will speak the truth, that my fellow soldiers
may know die innocent Of the charge
which has been brought against me.
did not fire upon Colonel Lavilier, and
had no weapon when arrested. At the
moment entered the dwelling Of Cade
line, found her struggling in his arms.
stopped not to enquire his rank, but struck
him with my clenched fist to the floor
This is all that have done, and had j
been the emperor himself, in his own pal
ace, would have done likewise, for the
duty of a true soldier is TO protect the in
nocent and defenceless. | am willing t
die, but my death will not be unavenged
for the grass will not have covered my
grave before the weapons of comrads shal
have found the heart Of my murderer 70
there is not one who will shrink when tn,
hour comes. | am ready-pass your sen
llence."
i s.Martel, yourlanguage deos not becom
man who is on the threshold of eterni
! ty."
Truth becomes man all times," re
piled Anthony.
Colonel Layilier, during the time tn
prisoner was speaking, seemed greatly ex
cited, and turned pale. for he knew iha
Martel was great favorite in the regimen
and he feared that his own life was in dan
ger.
! "Anthony Martel," said the judge, sth
sentence OF the court is, that you die t
morrow morning at sunrise, and that yo
be shot by twelve of your comrades
! Again the roll of the drum told that tn
case had beed decided, and they were a
bout TO conduct the prisoner to his quar-
ters, when a young girl rushed past tn
guards into the tent; and prostrating her
self at the feet of the presiding officer, ez
claimed-
s'He is innocent! spare him; he is nc
guilty, and did not shoot Colonel Lavi
ier."
i As the tears flowed down her beautifi
4 face, every heart was touched with pit
save one. He stood unmoved by her sup
! lications. The Judge informed her that
was impossible for him to alter the sen
tence of the court, and that the only hop
. that was left her was with Col. Laviliel
who was the injured party, and who alon
. had power to ask for his pardon or to re
commend him to mercy. In vain Cade
Z line pleaded with him; he was inexorabl'
and she was borne senseless from tn
tent.
i On the following morning, little befor
} sunrise, some soldiers were busily engas
I ed in placing red flags at short interva
on beautiful plain not far from the CAM
No sooner had this been accomplished
than the muffled drum and the band play
ing dead march was heard. A compan
OF soldiers now drew near, accompanie
by large number of officers, who cam
to witness the punishment Of Death. Al
thony Martel was walking with a firm ste
to meet his doom; arriving on the groun
ne took his place on the spot designate
for him to die; he was calm and unmoye
at the approaching crisis. Twelve of h
fellow soldiers were brought up into lin,
every moment told their nnwillingness
perform the odious duty which had bee
Unassigned them. -