The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-11-17

jury IN the defence of Col. Van Dyke. He
denied the legal positions assumed by the
attorney for the prosecution. He coutended
that the prisoner had not violated the law
that the act complained of was necessary to
[ prevent the commission Of an atroctous rn,r-
der. That instead of shame, degradation
and punishment, Van Dyke gIoried IN the
deed, aud felt that he deserved the applause
and appreciation Of the community for the
rescue Of innocence and virtue from the en-
brace Of desperation and death. lie dwelt
! upon the high and noble inspirations oflove
its imperative claims upon all who would
worship at its pure and holy shrine He in
sisted that the law ofnature, which was par
! amount to all human law, the sacred statutes
, of love and affection, that commanded him.
to cherish and preserves its idol and inspirer,
was Col. Van Dykes justification for the
death of McCloud. .. .... Sd.
|. The attorney for the prosecution respond
ed in strong appeal, reiterating his former
| positions assumed in the opening of the case,
enforcing them by new views and arguments
lie spoke about an hour, when the case was
submitted to the jury. For six hours an aw-
ful suspenseof the final result took possession
os the assembly. Hope, fear, and apprehen.
sion, swayed each bosorn-the jury having
been that length of time in close consultation
in their room. AT length they came to the
clerks table, with slow and solemn steps,
handing in q verdict of Guilty. The stern
and rigid principles of law and the magic in
tuence of McCloud's inexhaustible wealth
swayed the better feelings of the human
heart. 1t was evident the verdict had been
wrung from them with much reluctance.
On the next morning the Judge pronoun-
ced the sentence or death iu conformity with
the verdict of the jury: and decided that in
ten days Col. Van Dyke should atone for
the murder ofMcCloud by his public execu
ton upon the gallows.
The fatal day soon come, bringing with it
a general gloom. Even the elements above
seemed conscious of the injustice about to be
inflicted upon the noble Van Dyke. Dark
lowering clouds obscured the sky-thunders
! pealed their solemn NOTES.-The lightning 5
awful glare and quick flashes struck terror
and alarm into the stoutest hearts and the
muffied drum added still another solemnity
to the heart-sickening scene. Thousands of
| spectators had assembled before the hour of
| execution. y platform had been erected, and
clothed in the deep habiliments Of mourning
and death !; and on this was soon seated the
| youthful condemned felon, surrounded by
| some devoted friends of both sexes. The Off
Ger having charge of the solemnities of that
day arose and commanded silence in order
that the condemned might be heard The
solemn silence of that assembly. which then
ensued, far, TAR surpassed anything that ev
er witnessed upon any former occasion. .
cit was so solemn, still and dead.
That You might hear the fairies lighter tread,
The spiders step us he wove his snare
From tree to tree, snails soft creeping there"
/ ltwas moment of breathless anxiety, un-
til Van Dyke stepped forward, in full view of
the numerous assembly. His fine FORM open
countenance, and dignifcd self. f.posscssion,
won universal admiration and sympathy
you are assembled, my friends" said Van
Dyke, ION the present occasion, to witness
the degradation and death of fellow Citizen.
| You come to see the infiction off disgrace
| ful punishment for imputed crime. But in
the midst of death and in the presence of a
holy God and faiis assembly, proclaim that
am no murderer. 1t is true pointed the
pistol and directed the shot that killed him.
glory in the act--I should have been l,st
to the feelings of n man, 'ost to every noble
impulse, bad acted different part. Ny
conscience aequts me of all crime, and feel
no fears inmeeting the judge o. the universe.
killed McCloud in protecting the idol ofmy
heart from the meditated vengeance of NAL
ice. jealousy, ambition, disappointed love
and vindictiee wrath--in defence OF a lovely
woman dearer to me than life ITSELF For
her alone would live, and for heF tnow die.
| Now, officer am done" ss# ~
In moment the manly form of Col. Van
! Dyke was covered with the sad habiliments
Of death and as the officer waved his hand
in token Of instant action, cry was heard.
Horses came with lightning speed. A shril
aud loud voice exclaimed, "Not yet oh, not
! yetp A lovely woman, with male atten-
dant, rushed to the platform. She bore in
her hand the pardon Of Van Dyke from the
Governor, She went the grateful messenger
Of love and mercy, and returned in time to
save her benefactor and the idol Of her soul
from an ignominous death. In an instant
the lovely Mary Lawson was in the arms OF
Col. Van Dyke. and the crowd, by one uni
yersal shout of Joy and appreciation, eyinced
their sympathy for the heroism of Col. Van
| Dyke and Mary lawson. 8
Time rolled on 10 its mighty revolution,
ii Z. o. IL ..r =.