The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-09

Profession OF 1altn on part OF the BISHOPS ana
the reading Of portion of the DEGREES of the COun
Gil OF Trent with the ceremonies and forms usual to
the occasion.
The Litties Murder in Rochester.
LETTER FROM IRA sToUr-HIs sELECrION OF RELI-
GIoUs ADVISERS
Marion Ira Stout, who is now in Jail in Rochester,
under sentence of death for the murder of his bro
Their in-law Lttles, has written a communication to
the Rochester papers, in which he depores his pre-
sent condition, and attempts to partially justify his
crime on the ground that he was avenging the
wrongs of his sister. He SAYS
The trial is past. It is these terrific ordeals that
either sweep the immortal mind from its proud
throne and crush it in the dust or else call forth its
vast energies to meet the killing storm with firm
ness which nothing can overturn. arose to receive
that verdict and sentence with cool determined
solution TO stand unmoved thought wrung the life
blood from the heart" There was no visible emo
ton to show the volcano boiling within and the i'm
mense audience failed to perceive that the passion
less exterior simply concealed an internal agony
OF which no mortal man can torn a conception. IL
was q terrible illustration how much a man may
bear when supported by all the philosophy and self.
control he possesses To young man, the startling
word h-terminates all his brilliant hopes aud
ambition, all his powerful attachments to earth; and
not only his, but the love, hope and interest of
Others, must slowly fade away. Shall these things
be?
The strong public feeling against me has partially
died away, and am pleased with the kindness and
hberalty displayed towards me and mine. IL mat
tiers not how much savage energy man possesses
there chords in his heart which will discourse
music" if touched by kindness and sympathy.
have suffered sufficient abuse and persecution to fair
ly change man nature but still feel that pos
the heart the feelings, the principles and may
also add, the firmness and energy of man. The
independent spirit that God gave me will never al
low me, for single moment. to forget that / am
man; and whether in a condemned cell or in the
halls of State House am not the less q man; and
that God whose being IL Infinity, watches me As
firmly and steadily as He does the oftiest and
brightest of the human race
Men would have thought differently on this sad
affair long ago if they had examined things care
fully, and rigidy Judged them as they are in
themselves, and not as they are distinguished
by names or by general estimation The news
papers entirely prejudged the case. Men were
willing TO believe anything against me, and were
ready to issue the most sweeping condem.
nation, without understanding real cir
cumstance of the case. Perhaps some gentlemen
may consider IL Just and laudable TO crowd n man
more deeply into the cesspoos Of misery and degra-
dalton, but to me il seems a cruel act to abuse
fallen man; and commend to the notice of all such
persons the Divine words justice and charity think
sometime, Z" in the course of human events they
will have better conception of these things. That
i am much 20 blame, is beyond all question hut
consider myself the victim OF circumstances and mis-
fortune, and not of wilful crimnality. There are
many false assumptions in regard TO this sad affair
which must be exposed. But waving these nj present
may mention one man whose evidence, supported
by circumstances. would have saved me, unless the
Jury were 50 firmly impressed with the pre- conceived
notion of conviction that evidence for the defence
would he regarded. His name | will not mention
Int he alone Is the fundamental principle of this
whole Affair now ask him, not for myself, but
ask him in the name Of Sarah, 10 fairly aud honora
bly, state his motions that fatal night "a well as
his preceding conduct in regard TO her IL he will
allow her 10 suffer the slightest punishment when he
could prevent II, he has forfeited the title of man.
Il .tsla- 40 "a
in my heart TO make war upon the dead. Bad as he
was, bitterly regret his DEATH but the dead past
can never be recalled. His connection with the FAINT
ly made me his friend and defender, and acted so.
ward him like a man and brother. ! thought his
youth and nexperience would cover multitude OF
sins;' and though his conduct had been outrageous
yet he was more worthy Of being ptied and assisted
than condemned and avoided. In our first interviews
he rehearsed 10 me the wretched drama of his life
and perhaps am better acquainted with him than
any one but find il difficult TO speak Of him. simply
because feel no disposition 10 open record OF dis
and degradation. When he married Sarah she
was mild and beautiful, pure and innocent, unsked
in the olies and batteries Of the world and If placed
under the control of man Of sense she might have
been moulded into model Of domestic beauty God
alone knows what she has suffered from this unhappy
union. Titles would return from his drunken orgies
and without the slightest cause would abuse woman
he had sacrtdly sworn 90 love and protect in the
most disgusting manner. The old Rochester Jail
contains the final result Of his inhuman conduct. IL
tomorrow 1T would lie Just and honorable pro
ceeding; and bitter II Is am ready TO offer up
my life a ransom for their liberty That felt a
brothers sympathy for Sarah, in regard TO her
wrongs, Is too true. That my heart sometimes burst
with Indignation, is equally true. And IL there is a
spirited brother in Christendom who will stand pas
svely by and sec his sister abused he ought 90 be
carved into cubic inches and fed 10 the dogs. nv
attachment 20 Sarah is simply brothers love--the
purest and hottest man can conceive She possesses
the faults and frailties Of woman; but no matter
whether right wrong, she Is still my sister and il
is my sacred dutyto defend her long the power
Of action remains.
! do say most decidedly man who will abuse a
pure and beautiful woman-a man who will strike
her and disease ha-I say, from the bottom of my
heart, he is not ft TO live. know. the District
Attorney would say this Is showing a motive, pretty
strongly; but while see how mnch circumstance
against viii say, IL is purely impossible for
me r. fight iniure any one unless placed in des-
perate position, where reason and self control are
suspended. My future hopes were too bright land
other hopes than mine rested on my actions my
Judgment and resolution too strong and under.
stood my situation too well 10 engage in any trans.
action which would involve me in difficulty, unless
became the victim Of an accident Perhsps the
public may shortly he informed Of that most singular
combination Of circumstances that led 20 that un-
happy collision, which not only sent Littles 10 a
horrible death, but fear another with him, who.
do believe, deserves better fate. There Is power
for usefulness in me- II only have an opportunity
for developement, and appeal 20 the heart of each
reader, il he does not fairly and canddly think !
might be put to better use than hanging. do not
wish 10 show cowardly tenacty for life, but con
slider il my right and duty 20 live as long a. can.
From the time entered the city Of Rochester up
20 this terrible accident my course was onward and
upward. knew that my reputation must be raised
and supported by my own energy and ability and
my days and nights were spent in the most laborous
study and in trying TO elevate myself ia the estina
tion OF sensible men and women. NV previous life
had made me an expert theorist, and time and study
would have made me practical 7 did believe as
firmly az a man could believe that ! would one day
he a man Of considerable influence and importance
in ths city. But how mutabe is humin fortunel It
drives almost irresstibly 10 belief in fatalsm
Perhaps young man may conceive schemes too ex.
tensve and magnificent 70 he realized; but To him
who possesses an active idea, how much may be ac
complished by perseverance, aud resolution. There
Is no obstacle that be cannot surmOunt, and no posi-
ton that he cannot attain.
think the public have very erroneous impress
sion of my character. Ny conduct aud conversation,
] know are in many eases wilfully misconstucted.
Some are not willing 90 "e~amioe things "a they