Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-03-01
Stephens aud HaZIett

|
Stephens and HazIett.
Alta special meeting Of the Circuit Cour
held at Charleston Virginia, for the purpos
OF trying Stephens and IIazett, two Of tn
men engaged in the Harpers Ferry raid
Judge Kenney, specially appointed presiding
both were found guilty. When asked by
the Clerk if they had anything to say why
sentence OF death should not be passed upor
them, Stephens said;
1.-THE testimony given in against Inc here
was very untruthtul some of it. will only
point out that which thought WAS malicious.
~ given, that is this: kill the sons Of b--s
and burn the damned town" 1t is needles.
for me to deny this to those who know me
but those who do not know me will say thi,
is positively and absolutely false, before Goo
and man.
| Ny counsel Mr, Senrot did oil man could
do for mo, for which | am very THANKFUL
have been treated very kindly by the Off
GERS who have had me in charge and also the
physicians who dressed my wounds for which
am very thankful. And as have shown
mercy to those who came to murder me, who
did murder my Brothers and outraged my
Sisters most brutaliy. can but ask mercy
But whatever my fate may be, shall meet it
willing, without one unkind thought or feel
ing.
lIazeIet. spoke as follows: Il have fen
| words TO say. am innocent Of the charge
on which have been convicted. | deny ev-
er having committed murder. or ever having
| contemplated murder, or even having associ-
ated with any one 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 imprisonment IN
| Jail, allowed INV beard to 90 more than three
weeks without shaving, and all testimony
therefore as to the length ofmy beard is false
Again Mr.. Copeland testified that was sit
ting on stool when he entered the cell al
Carlisle; this deny; was sitting on blank.
ct, back against the wall, and another man
was on the stool. Copeland also said there
were only two men in the cell; this is false,
as there were four other white men in the cell
with me, and We comprised all tire white pris-
oners in the Jail. Others of the witnesses
made false statements, but forgive them all
have been treated kindly since my confne-
ment-much better than had expected
and must say think better Of Virginia -
| wish also to return my thanks to the coun-
sci who have so ably defended ne; they have
done more in my behalf than Northern Conn.,
sci could possibly have done. repeat am
innocent OF murder but am prepared to meet
my fate"
! After IIazlett had concluded Judge Ken.
nv then pronounced in an impressive and
feeling manner, the following sentence:
Aaron ID. Stephens, you have been indicted
and tried by Il jury of the country, and after
being defended with zeal and ability by coun.
sci OF your own choice, from your own sec.
ton OF our common country you have been
| found guilty Of advising and conspiring with
slaves to rebel and make insurrection; and
for conspiring with John Brown snd Others
to rebel and make insurrestion.
And you, Albert Hazlett have also beer
indicted by a jury of the country and founG
guilty Of murder in the first degree, in wilful.
ly, deliberately, feloniously and Of malice a.
forethought, killing and numbering George
W. Turner, Fountain Beckman aud others
and YOU have also been defended by counse
of this county, assigned to you at your OWE
request by the Court, with an ability seldom
equalled, and with zeal & attention to every
point in your case, whether Of law or fac
that could not have been surpassed had they
been defending citizeus of their own coun.
try.
You have been prosecuted with great abb
ity by the counsel representing the Common
wealth. aud with an interest the magnitude
Of the charges required, yet, in a manner TIT
most fastidious could not except to.
The painful duty is devolsed upon me X
announce thus publicly the penalty the Law
afiixes to the crimes whereof You are found
guilty.
When | look on your comparative youth
your genteel appearance, and consider the
mental agonies You must have endured dur.
| ing those protracted trials, cannot help pity.
ing YOU; and could wish, if the honor and
dignity Of Virginia, the security Of her citi.
zens and their property would authorize il
that the law imposed aless penalty than death.
The crimes in which you participated and
which were so tragical in their incipient steps
if carried to the extent contemplated by you
and your accomplices and associates in arms
for horror and iraternal per6dity would have
had no parallel in modern civilization since
the Massacre OF st. Bartholome's eve.
But will not attempt to harrow your feel.
inss by rehearsal of the scenes at Harper's
Ferry in October last, this is now part oil
the history Of our common country; and will
hope for years to come constitute its dark.
est page.
prefer diverting your attention toyour
awful situation. For declare to you that
believe you ought no. to indulge in any hopes
of pardon or Communication of your punish
ment, or Of the suspension OF its execution,
unless there is some error in the proceedings
Of the Court, or in its opinions, and there is
none l think, and tn urge you to devote the
few days remaining to you in preparing to
meet that Judge before whom you and ] your
Jurors and counsel must all appear to render
an account Of the deeds done in The body.
You who have been raised in this Christian
world must have learned that there is q gra-
cious Redeemer, who invites all, even the
greatest criminals to believe on him, 70 repent
Of their crimes and partake Of the blessings
of his atoning blood.
If you can realize your awful position, ard
call on.the ministers OF our holy religion they
will cheerfully, gladly wait on you, they will