Washington sentinel., 1853-11-05
6smsral SmtsIligeafe.
Trial Of Kissane.

| has so largely engrossed public attention for the
last two months has finally closed. The trial al
Lebanon, il is generally admitted, has been ably
and impartally conducted. Judge Rogers has re-
| ceived deserved commentator for the ability,
/ moderation, and strong sense of justice he has
| displayed. He has proven himself competent,
a learned and impartial Judge. The jury was
composed of sound and sterling men, unprejudced
in their opinions, and determined 10 perform what
i to them was a sad and solemn duty. The case
has been energeticaly and ably conducted, both by
| the counsel for the State and the defence. No
| effort has been spared 10 give William kissane
fair and impartial trial, and we believe, as far as
! nature can be infalble, he has received what
4 were his just deserts
The verdict was returned by the jury after re-
/ tirement of three hours and its announcement
was most solemn and effective. The general ini-
| preston in and about Lebanon was, that kissane
| would either be aquitted or that the jury would
disagree. Their decision of guilty" caused gene
raj surprise, accompanied by saddening influence,
as large share of sympathy had been awakened
| in behalf of the unfortunate man, who, Whatever
his sins, has suffered greatly, and whose position
cannot but be calculated TO arouse pity even IN
the sternest bosom 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 in his name species
of romance, of mystery, and strange mystery, that
have been felt throughout the land
| We know not when we have witnessed more
| singular, impressive, and mournfu scene than that
which attended the rendition of the verdict.
i The court room was dimly lighted, the night
the fate Of the prisoner, when he was brought in
1 TO hear the decision OF those twelve men upon
! whom his future destiny hung, and with whom his
every worldly expectation rested.
| Kissane looked full of hope, as he stood up be-
! fore those jurymen, and gazed fxedly at them, as
il he would read their sentence ere it was uttered.
4 The awful word guilty fell not upon his
| much as upon his soul, which seemed TO shrivcl
before that fearful sound. Every ray Of hope died
| in his countenance he started and gazed wildly
around if to seek for protection, and sank over
powered beneath the unanticipated blow. He
| grasped nervously the arm of his counsel, Judge
| Walker, who had struggled SO nobly for his de-
| fence and who had fought so bravey, though in
| vain, against the dark and impending fate which
| awaited him, and excaiming in trembling and
appalling tone: That IS irrong, Judge; as heaven
IS my acituess, did not do 1t J" burst into agony
| Of tears.
| Each spectator in that court room felt thrill Of
woe i'll that painful and awful scene, dead as the
| hope of the unfortunate man who stood weeping
| like a child before them.
/ Justice, perhaps, had been done but justice is
stern aud terrible it softens not its rigor though
human nature is its victim Justice, thou art tear
1 less and stony, and dreadful when meek-eyed
mercy folds thee not beneath her snowy wings.
1 That scene will be long burned upon our memo
ry. Near Kssane sat his young brother, bathed
| in tears, and sobbing as if his heart would break
helpless then he seemed, and deserted the elder
brother, whom he had looked up TO as to father,
! plunged in despair and affection, was near him, a
| convicted felon. The mother of these two young
| men, thank Heaven, was not there. She was
4 waiting with breathless suspense and anxious
mind and high beating heart, the return TO his
| home of the cherished son. A mothers love had
never accused him--n her sight he was as inno-
| cent as when he lay, smiling infant upon her
bosom. The honr approached when she awaited
his coming-the declaration ofhis acquittal. How
bitter, how crushing the disappointment!
/ And who was TO bear the sad tidings to his
| mother--who was 10 awaken her from the happy
/ dream TO the horrible reality?
! Her younger son, who wept there by his con-
/ victed brother, he was 10 apply the torch 10 his
! mothers hopes that would burn them into black
! ened embers.
! We thought of this, and others thought of it.
And it is strange if tear sprung into the eye, and
| tor moment shut out even the form OF justice
and turned the vision inward toward the weakness
4 OF our common nature, and the sorrowing gaze Of
/ mercy, even praying at stern Justices feet.
/ kissane has since his conviction attempted sui
/ eide. Death must be welcome to him. Il Were
better much that he were in his grave; that his
| shroud had EMBODIED him while the robes OF inno-
cence lay about his heart--Cin Times.
4 --%---
Terrible Hurricane In Jicaltepec, Mex
icO.-The Trait F Union publishes correspond.
ence, giving the particulars Of the destruction oi
| the French colony of Jicatepec on the 2Sth Au.
gust, by violent storm On that day, which was
Sunday at three o'clock in the afternoon, norther
commenced blowing, heavy clouds which hung
above the horizon began TO spread, and flew over
the sky with incredible swiftness. Then the rain
commenced falling with extreme violence. The
norther continued blowing all night till the follow.
ing morning, without, however, having anything
alarming about il; the rain continuing, in the
meantime, TO fall in torrents. At daybreak the
wind changed its direction, veering round to the
east and suddenly commenced blowing with un-
paralleled impetuosity. In less than half an hour
the whole village, and all the residences in the
environs, forming the French colony, were COM
pletely destroyed the houses falling as il were by
enchantment, with shocking crash.
II fsimpossible TO picture the general desolaton
which presented ITSELF TO sight during the frghtful
unclaimed elements. Distracted families, finding
4 themselves without shelter, saw themselves every
moment threatened TO be crushed under the falling
materials which were sent flying through the air,
or else 10 be thrown into the river by the gusts OF
this terrible hurricane, the like of which has never
been seen in these parts. Not only did it not
spare houses, but, rushing with fury over the
country and forests, il tore up everything in its
passage-chocolate, corn, coffee, sugar cane, &C.,
in such manner that the eye, few minutes af-
terwards, could see nothing but immense plains
where virgin forests had stood. The largest trees,
such as cedars, oak, and fig trees of immense
size were broken and torn branch from branch.
To add TO the miseries thus caused, the rain
not having ceased to pour down in torrents since
the previous evening, a sudden overflow Of its
banks by the river ensued, and rising twenty-five
feet above its natural level rose over the quay OF
of Jcaltepec, and entirely inundated the opposite
side of the bank and the greater part of the French
dwellings of the colony. Houses, and the few es-
tates which the hurricane had spared, were thus
carried away by the waters.
This was a most trying and desolate moment
for all the families of the the colony. Without
shelter, and dreading with reason the continuance
OF the inundation some were obliged to construct
RATS TO provide for their safety, while others, en-
deavoring TO get TO neighboring hill found them
selves constrained traverse inundated low spots
where the water reached 10 the waist. And there
they were, with the fruit of twenty, years labor
and perseverance destroyed, annihiated in less
Il than an hour.
This destructive hurricane did not extend be-
yond fifty leagues the coast and thirty in the
interior.
Intelligence Of the disaster was prevented from
being conveyed earlier in consequence of com.
munication being intercepted by the fallen trees,
&c, and at length was only conveyed with great
difficulty, machete in hand
Notwithstandinp the details thus piyen no cor.