Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-09-18

crpcrrIsr. INITIAL EVIDENCE AND
nnc,.tntNr1 rAI INTERROGATION.

,.,,,r.<,a rAI INTERROGATION
nv 'A'''' 4 with cr;,,o NJ tho nrcs-
We are surrounot ,,nisbr,or, i often in.
cnt time and though ] ...dcd Jnrics NAV
hictcd' 1t is often TOO, rr;lt of,t,
be IN Il gwen case satished OF ths al 80
accused, While they cannot render lst.
dict. In some respects, the law would see.
to be the most uncertain OF all sciences, IN its
practical Application, to say nothing OF the
ingenuity OF those advocates, who can make
the law bend III almost any direction. But
there ls deeper government than that of leg
islatures and courts. it Is the moral govern
ment Of the Infinite and Invisible over the
human mind and over the circumstances of
our existence. Men or women forget this
when they enter on a course Of crime, but in
the end are sure to be reminded Of it. A
small circumstance. an inevitable fact. may
make or break an important link in the chain
OF proof, and change the whole character Of a
case guilty person may be continually
drcading the exposure Of crime. An innocent
person may rcposo with tranquil assurance on
the certainty of that secret moral government
to which we alluded, and expect final, if a
deferred vindication a curious case occur
red about the middle Of the last century in
neighboring State Of New Jersey, which may
illustrate our remarks. A noted fellow be-
longing to an inferior class of those men who
arc said to live by their wits, and who
usually live on thcir neighbors known by the
nanc of Tom Bell, was wandering about the
country and arrived in the evening at tav-
cru in Princeton. dressed in parsons frocl6.
He happened TO be addressed as " Mi Row
land, whom indeed he quite -rosombled .-
Tho fellow resolved to profit by the mistake,
and kept up the dclusion. He made his way
TO a ncighboring congregation in the country.
gave ont that he was the Roy. Mr. Rowland,
and being invited to preach on the Sabbath.
modestly consented, though diflident of his
ability for the work of the ministry. As he
was on his way to church in the family wag-
on Of his kind entertainer. who rode an ele-
CANT horse, he suddenly discovered as they
approached the church. that he had forgotten
his notes, and begged the privilege of his
friend horse to hasten back after them. But
neither preacher nor notes appeared The
rogue sought the house, plundored his hosts
desk and made Off with his fine horse. For
this robbery Rev. Mr.. Rowland was indicted,
but as Providence had ordered it.-on the
dav of the robbery he was in Pennsvlvania or
Maryland, as Rev Mr. Tennent testified, and
two other gentlemen who accompanied him.
The Jury rendered verdict of mot guilty"
Mr. Rowland could not be again tried, but
the witnesses were indicted for perjury. The
evidence seemed strong for many had seen
Mr.. Rowland on that very horse. John Coke,
Esq, an eminent lawyer, appeared for Mr.
Tennont at Trenton,-and Mr. Smith of this
city, equally eminent volunteered to aid him.
To the question put to Mr.. Tennent, Where
are your witnesses he replied that he had
none. all being indicted together. Being urg-
ed to delay the trial, since he must be con-
vcted as things now stood, he refused, de-
clariug his belief that God would vindcate