New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-18
EXECUTION IN ST. LOUIS EDWARD
B4TES-F. p BLAIR.

Corr,spousenee Of The n. Y. Tribune
ST. LOUIS No., Nov. II, 1859.
To-day Joseph W. Thornton paid with his life for
the murder OF JOseyh Charles. Your readers doubt
less remember fhe circumstance. Thornton had been
tied and acquitted upon charge OF fraud and embez-
element. wherein Mr.. Charles a witness. Some
two years after the trial. in the month of June last,
Thornton met Mr.. CLarless in the public street, and
shot him down. 1t was deliberate, and according to
the general opinion, malicious homicide. The at
tending circumstances and the character of the victim,
clo.hed the act with such atroety that during his inn
prisonment and bis trial. no feeling of sympathy was
manifested for him; and even his brother, from the
tue Of bis crime forsook him. and refused TO see him,
or aid in his defense. He had aeeompces or con-
1dants: and shut out from the world and ia sympa-
hies. he has manifested sorrow or regret, but TO
human eyes exhibited calmness, selfrehance, and IN
concern. Since his conviction greater sympathy has
been felt for him and indeed it is evident that what
ever was tie real or supposed injury he brooded over
il a long time until il became mental disease. He
maintained his fortitude and composure to the last,
manfesiing no regret nor conjunction for the act.
A publication appeared in The 81. Ions Ereniag
Meas recently which will attract attention as full,
and probably an authorized exposition Of the views OF
l"f~eo
himself On Republican ground, in the main, and sns-
ins il by cogent reasoning; and the more his eharac-
ter and qualifications are scrutnized and known, the
stronger he viii stand in the confidence and esteem of
the people. Theoretically and practically he Is OPP
posed to Slavery, though his views have been some-
what equiyoca and he has not as yet taken leading
pant IN the Free Labor struggle in this State Ills
taste and temperament lead him into the more quiet
and peaceful walks of life We have, however. in
this city statesman who will need no certificate, or
public ayowal TO prove his Anti-Slayery sentiments.
1t il him mainly and essentially that the present
position of this city and State on the question of
Slavery il owing. Almost alone and unsnstained he
brought up the issue If Free Labor against Slave
Labor and amid the sneers Of enemies and fears OF
political friends persevered until the people came 10
his support and to-day the City Of st. Louls stands by
the side OF Freedom and the exodus OF Slavery from
the State il already commenced. There IL very gem
era expression abroad favorable to the selection OF
Presidential candidate from this State, because IL shows
the anomaly Of Slave State containing within Itself
powerful and successful opposition to Slavery. But
let IL not be forgotten that the Hon. f. L. Blair Is the
gallant leader under whom this battle has been fought
and won, and 10 whom chiefly the credit IL due.
The "Old Brown" card does not seem to have
effected much politically, and the Democratic party
will have to content themselves with hanging him and
his associates in order to restore tranquility TO the
terrified chivary of Virginia But how CIRCUMSTANCES
alter cases. When the Border Ruhians invaded
Kansas murdered the inhabitants in cold blood, and
sacked and pundered Lawrence, the Democracy usti-
fed the act and the murderers rewarded by the
Government, in the hands of the Democrats, with
ofcee and hOnors. But these murders committed
in the effort To plant Slavery in Kansas, which a
much less heinous oiiense than the effort of" Old
Brown" 10 extirpate Slavery from Virginia.