Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1856-08-21
remain with great respect, your obsdient
servant. WASHINGTON Hunt.


THE PATH TO SaAME-A LETTER PRoM A FAITH.
Err TO ms ERRIRG SoS.-our readers, says tn
Chicago Tribune Of tho I'd inst, have already found
the circumstances Of the arrest Of Frederick Bigg
and his young accOmplce, James Hatsld, for rob
bing the Chicago post tofoe and the trial and con.
vicion OF Bgg, detailed in the columns of our pa.
per. Seon after Harolds arrest the following letter
was sent to him by his father It is beautifully
written and betrays the full depth OF the shame aSd
despair into which the family have been plunged
by the errors of a loved and darling son. We hope
that should 1t meet the eye of any Of those up
on the brink of criuo it will be to them as voice
OF warming from the home circles they have left,
and serve to recall them to sense Of the terrible
consequences to loved ones Of the crime they may
have determined TO commit. Scarce n year ago
young Harold left home as happy and pleasant, as
kindly, afectionatc hearts and undying love and
faith in Heaven could make it. Upon the very
verge of his manhood, unstained and unspotted he
left it, 10 win for himself an honorable name in our
city To day be fills felon's cell, with long years
of confinement with other elons before him. In the
very outset Of his crime he has bssted his own fair
prospect In life and bronghtdown sorrow and shame
upon kind and doting parents. II were better that
he had died in his infancy, ere shame had been
written on his brow, for tien those parents, might
as they stood BY his little grave have gaEed through
the mist of their tears up to that "beter land -
Now the only vision beyond that bitter, binding
mist is the gloomy walls and iron gratings of con-
victs home.
We ask every young man to read this letter, that
his resolutions for good may be formed anew and
ing consequences Of the wicked acts he may be
tempted to commit
IN. Y, June 2S, 1856.
.My Dear Janes-Tbe painful news of your i'm
prisonment was received esteday, and i has Allied
the mind of your mother Ind myself with profound
grlet that you who have had opportunities that but
few could possess even to the selection n life of any
honorable station, provided you would ht yourself
for it, with home TO bs welcomed to, W ith every
comfort to be desired, should, at the entrance Of
manhood have degraded yourself and disgraced your
family. Where you have copied the example from
is to me mystery. For years have been the re.
cipieut Of stu Itons of honor and trast, holding
many of the prominent stations in our country, and
with friends OF the highest chara,ter throu ghout
the state. Now review the picture and realities
you haye substantiated. 1t appears 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 II you connected yourself
respectfully would consgn you gods, and nave
rot frequently asked you II by any means could
help you alongI
Look, my erring son, at the words wrote en- the
first page of the Bible presented you on leaving
home Alas how true the sentiments they express.
You received introductions to respectable merN
chants, to one of the Chicago clergymen' (the Rev
| W. A. SmallwoodD and with what entreaties did
] your mother and myself urge you to connect your
| self with a church and Sunday school! We have
just read your first letter, promising TO make tor
yourself an honorable name, and associate with re-
spectacle persons and il be possible that ever
| at that period you were associated with TINS mar
Bgg?
and whero you? In gaol, and for stealing
| The first, too, of your family, Of which have an
record, who for hundreds Of years have borne fam
hy eseutohson without stainI What can do 70
you? Your mother, almost broken. near'eu, oanno
be left, and what could do usre 1 70 come To Chi
cagoI From Captain Connects letter i tseems tha
the proof against ysu is positive The laws Of you
| country must be vindcatod I sec no way but tC
let justice take its course. But 10 your extremity
| what can recommend better than that you should
tell the whole truth, and yourself on the mercy
of the court before which you will be tried But
consolation is left and that is repentance and Prayer
to God.
We had been anticipating q surprise for you in
the shape of number Of presents artc les Of cloth.
ing, and on your arrival at age, next April, sum
of money but our fond hopes all vanished, and
until receive advces from you or Capt. Connect,
we know not how we can help you. The first Mon
day in July is set down for your trial. What day
it will be for your parents Would to God my son
James, you had died in your infancy, unspott cd
from the world
Your mother sends her love; yes, we both do for
we have hope that this painful and afi ,tivo orcum-
stance, your first step in crime will be your last.
Until that is 1ttoned for what will you and we
have to suffer? remain your afflicted and distressed
FATHEK.