The Delaware herald., 1854-04-26

sinuating himself into families, and causinl
divisions and strites: so much so, that in SOM
parts of the country, people no longer callet
him Alcohol, but by name they conceive,
more appropriate, viz: "FAMILY DISTURB
Err"
5. That he had persuaded and caused diver
persons to commit suicide, to the great grief o
their friends, and to the scandal of human ma
ture.
b. That under his influence and at his insti
cation, many buildings had been destroyed by
lire, and much property lost to the owners
many of whom having been thus reduced from
afduence to poverty.
z. That owing to his acts, and when under
his influence, many shipmasters had neglected
their duty, and thus lost the ships in then
charge, whereby not only vast amounts of pro-
perty, but also many thousands of lives had
been sacrificed.
3. That many men by his instigation and
connlvance had squandered their property and
reduced themselves and their families to power
ty, and thus thrown an almost incredible burden
upon the community.
8. That persuaded by the prisoner, and insti-
gated by the devil, great numbers of persons
had committed theft, and were now, for the
safety of their fellow men,; confined in ials,
state prisons, and penitentaries; and their
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public charity, or to toll out Life of mingled
wretchedness and shame.
10. That under the influence of the prisoner.
and moved by the devil, many had committed
murder, and ended their days upon the galows.
IL. That the prisoner had never been OF any
benefit to society: but at every step, from his
birth to the present time, had been the cause of
unnumbered immoralities and vices; and had
greatly increased the burdens of every people
among whom he had resided.
(The Indictment, of which we have given
only an abstract, leaving out all technicalities,
having been read, the attorney general opened
the case in speech of great eloquence, but of
which our limits do not permit US to give an
| abstract.1
lie then proceeded to call witnesses in be-
half of the people. The first witness was Mr.
Easymind.
Attorney General.-Witness, do you know
the prisoner at the bar!
WitneSS-I do, sir; | have been well ac-
puainted with him all my lite.
Att. Gen.-Gou have heard the indictment
read, can youtell the court anything respecting
the crimes there charged upon the prisoner
W.T. can, sir, for | have suffered much
from hun, both personally and in my family; for
the prisoner always was, even in NV fathers
life time, frequent visitor at his house, and
always professed great friendship for him and
iorhls children When the old gentleman died,
he came TO the funeral to offer his consolation
to the mourners; and he staid with us most of
the time for several weeks. My wife was then
in feeble health, and as he said he was the pos
SCISSOR of great medical powers, and in the
nelghborhOod was so reputad, i employed him to
cure her.
AT Gen.-And did he do it!
WH.-No, sir; she grew worse under his
management; and what was worse than all, she
took to very hard drinking and miserable life
had OF 1t for tlme Besides the bill for his
services was very heavy; several hundred dol
lars for medicine and attendance; but should
not have minded that, had lie not made INV wifi.
drunkard. At length my eyes were opened,
and forbade him my house; SO he did not call
on me for several years, and in that time my
wie became sober woman again.
AT. Gen.-Do you now consider him as hav-
ing any just claim to the possession of such
medical powers!
Wu.-NO, sir, do not am satisfied that
none bat quacks would give him a certificate to
that effect; at least that is INV opinion.
All. Gen.-IIavc you any children!
Wu-Yes, sir, three sons. | had daughter
once, but she, poor girl, is dead.--(He weeps.)
Att. Gen.--Witness, am truly sorry to dis
tress an aged man and father, but the demands
OF justice are lmperious and though painful,
feel 1t my duty TO inquire mere particularly
about your family. Are your sons grown to
years of discretion.
Wt-Thcy are grown to years of manhood,
sir, but as for discretion, do not think they
manifest much of it; they are very rude young
men, though am sorry to say it.
AT. Gen.-Do they keep at home and attend
10 business
Wit.--No, sir, the two eldest are very seldom
at home, and when they are, | sometimes wish
them away, Indeed, sir, they are no comfort
to me.
Ar. Gen.-Where do they spend their time
Wt--At the pulsfc house, sir, in company
with the prisoner; drinking, gambling, and
horse-racing. W
AT. Gen.-Do they ever come home intoxi-
Gated!
Wit.--Yes, sir, much oftener than thev do
sober; and then they abuse me and their mother
and throw the whole family into great confusion
and distress.
Att Gen.--Did you ever see the prisoner
trying to persuade them to go to the public
house
Wtt.--I have, sir, many times In fact, he
does 1t every day almost; and then they have
become SO attached to his company, that it seems
to me sometimes they cannot live until be is
with them.
Att. Gen.-Did you ever use any means to
endeavor to reclaim them from their vicious
courses1
WH--Aias, yes, sir; have prayed and en-
treated them to have some respect for my gray
hairs, and not bring them down to the grave
with sorrow; bat all my renonstrances have
mad no effect; and they always ridicule and
jeer me.
Att. Gen.-You spoke of daughter who is
dead. She was dutiful and obedient, and kept
no company with the prisoner, presume.
Wft.--Ah, sir, wish what you say was true
but it 10 not. She was seduced by the prisoner,
when he was attending upon her mother, and
died poor creature, before she was twenty
years of age. Es i
AIT. Gen.--Do you know anything of the