The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-12
A True Skatch.

The following faithful picture, drawn by
James H. Smith, ESQ.,, Associate Editor
OF the Wilmington Free Press. actually
transpired in our own city of Raleigh.
We well remember the soul thrilling cries
and narrowing shrieks of the heart-bro.
ken mother. We stood near the galows
as the unfortunate victim was prepared for
the fatal drop, and warned the multitude
around to beware Of strong drink. the foul
demon that had brought him to his awful
end. Anxiously he looked for. and SEEM
ed to expect the approach of a courier
bearing the Governors Reprieve. and
writhing under terror and suspense, he
would cry-"It is hard-it is hard for one
so young to die the felon's death-Oh!
whisky, whisky-cursed whisky! it has
ruined me-" The last five minutes Of his
time had come; tie Sheriff adjusted the
rope and death cap-the fatal cord was
cut-and poor Madison Johnson hung be-
tween Heaven and earth the disgraced
and lifeless victim of strong drink.-Edi-
tor Spirit Of the Age.
In the days of my boyhood knew a
young man who was in the 18th year OF
his age, or thereabouts. The healthy
blood flowed in his veins, and he bid fair
to live many years. But, although nur-
tured by tender parents and taught to avoid
evil practices, he mingled in evil company.
and at last began to drink liquor. His
father, who kept grog shop. ascertaining
that he drank to excess, forbade the clerk
from letting his son have any, on pain OF
being discharged. A few days after this
order, the young man entered his fathers
shop and demanded drink Of brandy.
"Your father has positively forbade me
letting you have any," said the good ma
tured clerk.
81 don't care what he or you says eth
er." shouted the young man for his pas
sion was becoming ungovernable.
"You can't have any liquor from this
place. sir"
81 cannot?"
"Not a drop"
"Then I'll have something else," said
the young man, drawing pistol from his
pocket and presenting it at the frightened
clerk.
"Give me liquor"
"I'll die first"
"Then die, I'll have liquor"
Areport, and the clerk fell corpse on
the door. The murderer was arrested
Mad with the effects of brandy, he ragged
the more as those around endeavored to
pacify him. He became the sole occu
pant of dismal dungeoD-the felon's
home and too often the poor drunkard's
home. The unfortunate youth was lef
alone, alone with his conscience and with
no eye to watch the operations Of remorse
when he became sober, but the eye Of the
Eternal.
The awful day Of his trial is at hand
he is put upon his trial and pleads no
guilty. Counsel use every stratagem te
clear him; but after patient investiga
ton. twelve honest and capable men pro
nounce him guilty Of murder.
The Judge, with sad heart, yet ar
unyielding sense of duty. pronounces thu
dreadful sentence OF death upon the doom
ed man. He is remanded back to hi.
dungeon home, where, cut off from hope
in this world, he might prepare for eter
niiy.
The revolving wheels Of time bring tn.
fatal Friday; the crowds of men are gath
ering here and there. every pulse beating
wildly. The law viii be enforced.
But what griefstricken group is thi'
who are vending their way 10 the Gov
ernor's Mansion? They are the parents
of the doomed youth. They are making
another soul moving appeal to the Gov
ernor. See! they are kneeling at his feet
and are pleading for the 6rst pledge o
their early love. The wild screams of the
heart. broken mother ring out clear upon
the air, and reach even the cell of her be
loved son. But there is a voice far loud
er than the terrific vail of that mother
Justice thunders to the officer, "See thor
pardon him not-blood for blood" Hope
has fed all is lost!
With the crowd we hasten to the prison
The time has come to proceed to the place
where the horrible tragedy shall terminate
Behold him! O. God save me from 9 seen,