Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-15
Sentence of Steyens md Ha1lett

crowded yesterday morning to hear the sentence
of the law passed upon Hazlett and Stevens Some
time was occupied by counsel in presenting bills
of exception in the case Of Hazlett, and it was
twelve o'clock before Stevens was brought into
the courthouse. The prisoners were brought into
court by the sheriff. jalor, and guard of twenty
men OF the Jefferson Guards" Both prisoners
wore unconcerned air. and seemed utterly I'M
terrified of the awful position in which they have
placed themselves.
The clerk having asked the prisoners If they
had anything to say why sentence should not lie
passed upon them, both responded taat they had
Stevens then said MAY it please the court,
have few words to say. Some of the testimony
given against me untrue. One of the wit
nesses stated that said, 'i.et US kill the IF
burn the town" To those wo know me it is use
less to makea denial of this charge, but deny
Eere, before God and man. ever having made
such a proposition. ! wish to say am entirely
satisfied with my counsel. Mr. Sennett. / think
he did all IN bis power i'll my behalf. desire
also to return my thanks to tie officers who have
had charge OF me, for their universal kind treat
ment, and to my physician for the services rem
der.d me whilst suffering from my wounds
When think oi my brothers slaug htered and
sisters outraged, my conscience doee not reproye
me for my actions. shall meet fate manfuily.'
This reference is understood to be the treatment
of his northern brethren and sisters during the
Kansas broils
Hazlett then spoke as follows: al have a few
words 10 say. / ain innocent of the charge on which
| have been convicted. | deny ever having
mitted murder, or ever having contemplated
with such intentions. Some Of the witnesses have
sworn to things which deny. aud which were
positively false For instance, in reference to my
beard: have never in my life until my imprison-
ment IN JAIL allowed my beard TO go NOR. than
three weeks without shaving, ard all testimony
therefore 70 the length Of my beard is false
Again, Mr.. Copeland testified thatI was sitting on
stool when he entered the cell at Carlisle; this
deny; Twas sitting d blanket, back against the
wall, and another man was Oh the stool Copeland
sl'o said there were only two men in the CELL this
iS Is were % in no
cell with me, and we comprised all the white
risOners in the jail. Others of the witnesses made
false statements, hut forgive them all. have
been treated kindly since my confinement-much
better than had expected-and must say think
better OF Virginia. wish also to return my thanks
to the counsel who have so ably defended me-
they have done more in my behalf than northern
counsel could possibly have done. | repeat, am
innocent Of murder. but am prepared to meet my
fate
The prisoners having concluded, Judge Kinney
then proceeded to read the following sentence
during which he was much affected. and at times
could with difficulty give utterance to the sem
tenCt:
Aaron ID Stevens You have been indicted and
Fri. d by jury of the country, and after being de-
feuded with zeal and ability by counsel Of your
own choice, from your OWN section Of our Gem
mon country, Won have been found guilty of ad-
vlslng and Consplrlng with slaves to rebel and
make insnrrectiOn; and for conspirng witt. John
Brown and others to rebel and ma ke Instruction
And you, Albert HGzleit has also been indicted
nv Iiry OF the country. ana found guilty Of
der in the first degree, In wilfGliy, deliberately
feioni olisly. and o. malice afOrrthnught killing
and numbering Geo. w. Turner. Fountain Beck
ham, and others, and you have also been defended
by counsel of this county, assigned to you at your
request by the Court, with an ability seldom
eQuailsd. and with zeal and attention TO every
point in your case, whether Of law or fact that
could rot have been surpassed had they been de-
f ling citizen of their county.
You have been prosecuted with great ability ny
the counsel representing the Commonwealth, and
with all interest the magnitude CT the charges re-
Quired. Yet. in manner the most faStidiouS could
not accept It,
The painful duty is devolved upon me to an
nOunce thus publicly the penalty the law afixes
TO the crime whereof you are now found guilty.
When | look upon your comparative youth
your 2entcel appearance. and consider the mental
agonies you must have endured during these pro-
tracted trials, | cannot help plying you: and
could wish, If the homer and dignity If Virginia,
the security II her citizens and their property
would authorize it, the law imposed a less penal
ty than death
The crimes in which you participated, and
which were tragical in their cipient steps if
carried to the extent contemplated by you and
your accompliCcs and asSOciat in arms for hor-
ror and fraternal pertidy would have had par
allel in modern civilization since the massacre Of
st. BartholOmewss eve.
But will rot attempt to harrow your feeling
by rehearsal of the scenes at Harpei's Ferry in
October last-this is now part Of the history OF
our common country; and will, hope, for years
prefer diverting Your attention to your awful
situation, 70! declare to you that | believe you
ought not to indulge in any hopes OF pardon
communication Of your punishment or of the sus-
pension Of its execution, (unless there is some
error in the proceedings of the court, or In its
opinions, and there is none, think, } and to urge
You to devote the few DAYS remaining to YOU in
preparing to meet that Judge before whom YOU
and |, your jurors and counsel, and all, Must
appear to render an account Of the deeds done in
the body.
You who have been raised in the Christian
world must have learned that there is a gracious
Redeemer, who invites all, even the greatest
crimi mails. to believe in Him, to repent Of thei
crimes, and partake Of the blessings Of his atonng
bio d.
Ii YOU can realize your awful position, and cali
on the ministers Of our holy religion. they will
cheeTfully, gladly wait OH you-they wi instruct
you in the way that leads to life everlasting.
They will pray with you and for you they will
accompany you to the edge of the grave and COM
mend you to the great Captain Of our salvation.
IN whom II you contide and Oh him rely. by bis
rod and staf he will conduct you safely
the dark valley Of the shadow Of DEATH
He then proceeded to sentence each of the IN to
be hung publicly on Friday, the 10th day of
March next, between the hours of LII O'Clock a m
and O'Clock p. In.
Immediately after passing sentence. the court
remanded the prisoners to Jail, and the crowd
drawn together TO witness the proceedings quietly
dispersed.