Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-10-08
TRIAL OF KJSSANE.

TRIAL OF kISSANE,
The CLOSING ScENE.-The famous forgery
case, which has SO largely engrossed public
attention for the last two weeks, has finally |
closed The trial at Lebanon, it is generally |
admitted, has been ably and impartially con
Quoted. Judge Rodgers has asreceived deserv-
ed commendalion for the ability, moderation
and strong sense Of justice he has displayed !
He has proved himselfa competent. a learned |
and impartial Judge. The Jury was compo-
sed Of sound and sterling mer, unpreiudiced
10 their opinions, aud determined TO perform |
what to them was a sad and solemn duty
The case has been energetcally and OblyI
conducted, both by the conse for the State
and the defence. No effort nor honorable
means have been spared to give William
Kissanc fair and impartial trir, and we be-
lcve, Us fai a, nnture can be inaable, he
has received what were his Just deserts
The verdict was returned by the jurors after
retirement of three hours, aud its announce
ment was most solemn and eff ctve. The gen.
cral impression in and about Lebanon was that
Kssane would either be acquitted or that the
Jury would disagree. Their decision of"uuil-
ty' caused general surprise, accompanied by
a saddening influence, as large share of
sympathy bad been awakned In behalf Of the
unfortunate man, who whatever his sins, has
suffered 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 dishon-
or and probable crime, have linked to his name
a species ofromance and mystery, and strange
curiosity, that have been felt throughout the
land.
We know not when we have witnessed
more singuarly impressive and mournful
scene than that which attended the rendi-
tion of the verdict.
The Court room was dimly lighted, the
night without was kark 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-
pectaton rested.
Kssane looked full of hope, as he stood up
before those jurymen, and gazed tixedy at
them, as il he would read their sentence ere
it was uttered. The awfnl word "guilty" fell
mot upon his ear, as much as upon his soul,
which seemed 10 shrivel before that fearful
sound. Every ray of hope died in his coun-
tenance; he started and gazed wildly arouod
as if to seek for protection, and sank over
powered beneath the ununt;cipated blow.
He grasped nervousIy The arm of his counsel,
Judge Walker, who had struggled so noby in
bis defence, and who had fought so bravely,
though IN vain, against the dark and mpen-
ding fate which awaited him, and exclaming
in trembling and appalling tone: "7'Aat IS
wrong, Judge! AS Heaven is my tOitness,
d.d not do it," burst into an agony of tears
, Each special or in the Court room felt a
thrill Of voc, in that painful and awful scene,
dead as the hope of the unfortunate who
5 wept, weeping like a child before them.
Justice, perhaps, had been done; but jus
tice is stern and terrible; it soflens not its
rgor though human nature is its victim
Justice, thou art fearless and stony, and dread
full, when meek-eyed Mercy folds thee moi
, beneath her snowy wings!
That scene will be long buried upon our
, memory Near Kissane sat his young broth
;, er, bathed in tears, and sobbing as if his hear
would brake helpless then he seemed anc
deserted: the elder brother, to whom he had
i looked up as TO a father, plunged in despai:
. and affliction, was near him. a convicted fclon
! lut luCoC tnO fOuuS LuCH, tuduh
H.. Heaven was not there. She had not YET
y learned that fearful intelligence which vii
slope the dalkned descent to her no distan
tomb. She was waiting with breathless sus
ponse end anxious mind, and high, beatin:
) heart, the return to his home of the CHERISHED
J. son. A mothers love had never accused hin
/. in her sight he was as innocent as when h
lay, smiling infant, upon her bosom. Tn,
hour approached when she awaited his com
J. ng--the declaration of acquital. How bitter
+ how crushing the disappointment!
9 And who was to bear the sad tidings t.
II that mother? Who was to awaken her from
y the happy dream to the horrible reality
+ Her younger son, who wept there by hi
d brother, he was to apply the torch to hi
l. mothers hopes that would burn them intC
blackned embers.
We thought Of this, and others thought @
!, it. And is it strange, if a tear sprung int
20 the eye, and for moment shut out even th'
form Of justice, and turned the vision inwar
toward the weakness of our common nature
20 and the sorrowing gaze Of Mercy, even pray
u ing at stern Justices feet"
If Kissane has, since his conviction, aItempte
a suicide. Death must be welcome to him.
'e were better mnch that he were in his grave
ir that bis shroud had embodied him while th
ii robes of innocence lay about his chilIis
H. heart
d, Death to the happy thou art terrible
oil But how the wretched love 10 think of thee
III o, thou true comforter-the friend OF all
II Who have no friend beside"
~ Gin. Times.
lr