Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-04-20

led emphasis upon certain words and sentences,
be insidiOuSly conveyed the most malignant
poison into the breasts Of nv juion against me.
It cannot be denied, with truth, but that the
Bench can always carry great force into the
jury box; therefore, in some Of the States all
criminal cases are submitted TO the jury, after
the arguments Of the counsel, without any re.
marks from the Court, unlesa especially SOlie-
tied to elucidate some point Of Law on which
the counsel differ iu opinion, so that the prisoner
may have a strictly fair and impartial trial. II
I had possessed this right, would not now
have any just cause of complaint to record
against one whom God has not fitted for the
duties of an impartial Judge.
To make out case Of murder against me Il
was necessary to prove malice, premsditatiOn,
,Oi!fulness. Was either attemptedf Was Ell.
ther urged, unaccOmpanied by the most bare.
faced and transparent soPhistryH A brief detail
of the facts will show, and ! will not be ashamed
nor afraid to repeat them before my God, be.
fore whom, and at whose tribunal, am soon
to stand, and have my case reviewed and re-
versed. ] have been too much Of devotee at
the shrine Of pleasure. Is this a crime II
il is, millions are at this instant guilty of the
same offence, and will go unpunished On the
fatal 9th of July, had given myself up to
recreation and pleasure; | had uncOusciously
partaksn too freely, One whom 1 regarded
as a friend appealed to my sypathies, stating
that his character had been trsduced, and re-
quested me to see him righted. / volunteered
to go with him for that purpose, little dream
ing what might occur. When we had gone a
part of the way, lost all recollection, and
knew nothing more, until after the fatal blow,
which is said to have been inflicted by me du-
ring the fight. have no recollection Of doing
it, but will not shrink from the responsibility,
feeling consciously innocent of any intention to
take the life of human being. Heated with
drink, and excited with the pleasures Of the
day, as well as tie circumstances attendant
upon personal reucountre, must have been
maddened to degree bordering on insanity.
However this may be, l deeply regret it, and
believe my Maker will not hold me accounta.
BILE. God is my witness, that entertained nc
unkind feeling towards the deceased, Have
no recollection Of ever having seen him before
never medtated his injury or death for sin
gle instant.
By what kind OF hair drawn reasoning then
can be- justly convicted of murder, which
must be accompanied, according to the Ian
guage Of the law, with malice, premeditatiOn ana
sOilfulness. II / had motive--if had enter
tanned malice towards the deceased-had ]
waylaid him for the purpose Of robbing him
and killed him in order to effect my purpose
had killed him, SO as to prevent his being q
witness against me-in brief, had been insti.
gated by any thing but the madness occasion.
ed by the total absence of reason, would mol
complain--I would not have the heart to say
that my punishment was undeserved, and that
excitement and prejudice werc the cause of my
conviction.
hold the jury guiltless. They were unsus'
pectingly led into error in my case, and en-
treat forgiveness for them before the bar oil
God. They have sacrificed me through error
which they are likewise charged with in relas-
ing those who we're also engaged in the same
difficulty, WITHOUT ANY PUNISHMENT. Accor.
ding to the strict letter Of the law, mine " ia:
as much too heavy as theirs was too light, yet
l congratulate them upon their good fortune,
and trust it will prove salutary lesson to them
for the balance of their lives. My life is offer
ed up as an stonement to the offended laws.
likewise forgive certain Attorney, "a near
relative Of the judge) who, l am informed
boasts of the part he acted, in impressing the
mind of the Governor against me! If he car
appear before his God with as clear con
science as myself, will cheerfully accord tc
him forgiveness. If be can derive satisfaction
by adding to my misery, I do not envy hin
such heart.
To friends and distinguished gentlemen who
have shown their sympathy for me, and respect
for my distressed family, since my incarcera'
tion, I return my most profound thanks.
trust God will mete out them abundant rewards
for their kindness. '..S ''..)
"He tcmpereth the wind to the shorn Lamb
and therefore leave my young wife and little
child to His fatherly care, with the full conf
dence that they will be cherished by His mer'
cy. May he guide them in the paths of virtue
and teach them to observe more charity to-
wards their unfortunate fellow beings, thar
has been shown to me. '.'-'''''e' '''l-'' 81
l freely forgive my enemies, be they whc
they may, and although I may have been the
/ t IN r =