Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-08-20
The Path to Shame--A letter from a Father
to his Erring Son.

Our readers, says the Chicago Tribune of the
2nd inst, have already found the circumstance
of the arrest Of Frederick Bigg and his young
accomplice, James Harold, for robbing the Chi
cogo Post Office, and the trial and conviction o.
Bgg detailed in the columns of our paper
Soon after Harolds arrest the following letter
was sent to him by his father. 1t is beautifully
written, and betrays the full depth of the shame
and despair into which the family have been
plunged by the errors of loved and darling
son. We hope that, should it meet the eye Of
any of those now upon the brink of crime, il
will be to them as voice of warning from the
home circles they have left, and serve to recall
them to O sense of the terrible consequences to
loved ones of the crime they may have determin-
ed TO commit Scarce year ago young Harold
left home as happy and pleasant as kindly af-
fectonate hearts and undying love and faith in
Heaven could make it. Upon the verge of his
manhood, unstained and unspotted he left it. to
win for himself an honorable name in our city.
To-day he fills felon's cell with long years of
confinement with other felons before him. In
the very outset of his crime he has blasted his
own fair prospect in life and brought down
sorrow and shame upon kind and doting parents.
1t were better that he had died in his infancy
ere shame had been written upon his brow, for
then those parents might, as they stood by his
little grave have gaze1 through the mist of their
tears up to that "better land" Now the only
vision beyond that bitter, binding mist is the
gloomy walls and iron gratings of the conyicts
home.
We ask every young man to read this letter
that his resolutions for good may be formed a.
new, and that he may be fully impressed with
the far reaching consequences of the wicked
acts he may be tempted to commit
-, n. Y, June %, 1856.
My DEAR JAMEs-The painful news of your
was received yesterday, and it
has filled the minds of your mother and myself
with profound grief, that you, who have had op-
portunites that but few could possess even to
the selection in life of any honorable station,
provided you would fit yourself for it, with q
home to be welcomed to, with every comfort to
be desired, should at the entrance to manhood
have degraded yourself and disgraced your FAM
ily Where you have copied the example from
is to ME mystery. For years have been the
recipient of situations ofhonor and trust holding
many of the prominent stations in our county
and with regards of the highest character
throughout the State. Now review the picture
and the realities you have substituted 1t ap-
pears to us dream.
What could induce you thus to offend the
laws of your country? Not want! Did not
tell you when you left home that if you connect
ed yourself respectfully would consign you
goods, and have not frequently asked you if
by any means could help you alongl
Look, my erring son, at the words wrote on
the first page of the Bible presented you on leav-
ing home. Alas! how true the sentiments they
express.
You received introductions to respectable
merchants. to one of the Chicago clergymen,
(the Rev. W. a. Smallwood,) and with what
did your mother and myself urge you
to connect yourself with a church and Sunday
school! We have just read your first letter,
to make yourself an honora-
bic name, and associate with respectable per-
sons and can it be possible that even at that pc
riod you were associated with this man Biggs
AS / write, l reflect what home have you
lost, and where are you? In a Jail and forsteal-
ing The first too of your family, of which l
have any record who for hundreds of years
have borne family escutcheon without stain
What can do for you2 Your mother, almost
broken hearted cannot be left, and what could
do, were | to come to Chicago? From Cap
tain Connects letter it seems the proof against
you is positive. The laws of your country
must be vindicated; see no way bnt to let jus
tice take its course. But in your extremity
what can | recommend better than that you
should tell the whole truth, and cast yourself
on the mercy OF the Court before which you
will be tried. But one consolation is left, and
that is, repentance and prayer to God. He only
can help you, by forgiving you your sins, and
bringing you to knowledge of peace in Jesus
Christ Oh! at once cry to him for aid and di-
rection, and may the urgency of your case lead
you to true repentance.
We had been anticipating q surprise for You
IN the shape Of a number of presents, articles of
clothing, and on your arrival at age, next April,
A sum of money but our fond hopes are all van
shed, and until receive advioes from you or
Capt. Connect we know not how we can help
vou.*
The first Monday in July is set down your
rial. What day it will be for your parents
Would to God, my son James, you had died in
your infancy, unspotted from the world
Your mother sends her love, yes, we both
10, for we have hope that this painful and aflic-
i've circumstance, your first step in crime, will
,e your last Until that is atoned for what will
-ou and we have to suffer?
l remain your afflicted and distressed
FATHER.
TIE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.-A correspon-
lant of tha New York Doilv T;mac ,vritinn