Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-03-15
THE MAIDEN MURDERER.

The Christian Register, Of Boston, thus derives
two solemn lessons from the tragedy of crime
recently enacted in broad day in that city. In
like manner, it WAS the pressure of debt whish
led DIR. Webster to murder DR.. Parkman in
Harvard College.
young man, in the middle of the day, about
two months since, was found dead on the floor
Of the Maiden Bank. He had fallen by the
hand Of violence. Unseen, unheard, the villain
had escaped, carrying with him his criminal
spoils. Men were appalled, at this bold and sue
cessful crime, perpetrated at MONDAY in the
busy scenes of traffic. After fruitless labor to
unravel the tragic mystery, the community was
fast forgetting the deed in the swift whirl Of
events when the public mind was startled by
the announcement that the murderer had been
arrested, and the guilt confessed.
Moreover, we are told that the man who did
the atrtc cious deed was fellow -townsman, who,
heretofore, had borne good character, held re-
sponsible trusts, and was surrounded by the en-
dearments of domestic life. In his confession he
also disavowed the feeling of vindictiVeness
towards young Converse What then was the
great underlying motive which led to this strOc-
ious crime?
DEBT
The man was maddened into the wicked deed
by this narrowing spectre. 1t followed him by
day-it haunted him at night 1t was more
powerful as q motive than his love for his fami-
y. 1, blinded his reason, silenced his conscience
roused his passions, until under The tremendous
motive pressure, be formed a cool, skllfully
prepared and diabolioal plan, to strike tue fatal
blow, aud brand his soul with the ine1aceable
crime Of murder.
The career of Edward w. Green is the bio
grapby of a numerous class in the community.
He is but au exaggerated type Of men who live
without fixed and hrm principles Of character,
and alllw themselves TO incur obligations which
involve pecuniary embarrassm, Mt. The whole
life, ia this case, rests on false basis. The
man who through extravaganza allows himself to
get in debt at once opens the door for the temp
ter. In his desperation he rushes to the gaming
table, tries hazardous speculation, begins the
inoipient fraud which ends in forgery, and when
the trouble acoumulaies he is at last driven to
steal. To Edward W. Green, the tempter said,
kill young Converse and rob the Maiden Bank
This dark page Of human guilt has q warning
That man in his wretchedness and woe lifts up
his voice. To those who are drifting Jy the
currents Of extravaganza, into debt, with no
deep and abiding principles Of action the trage,
dy has profound moral. To such it says-your
lives are rotten at the core. They rest on false
basis. You are sapping the foundations of in-
tegrity. Have the moral courage to commence
a better life AS you value character the es-
VI
aud the approval of God begin anew to live &C
cording to right principles This is the path
way Of honor, truth and peace. The hottest
dictates OF religion entreat you to pluck the net
tie Of danger.
We have also, in this startling crime, an Illus
tration of the power of wicked idea to gain
possession Of the soul and lead the man to do the
wicked deed. Have you criminal intent in
your hearth Do you cherish a wicked thought?
Then the root of the fraud, theft or murder, has
started its 6bres in your breast. Lift the veil
that cOnceas the real moral history OF that man
who now in prison bears the burden of this hor-
rible crime. How could he, while gazing on the
face of his first born, carry with him the cruel
thought Of murder? How could he. in the pre-.
sence Of the wife he loved, put the pistol, with
which he designed 10 kill into the drawer?
There are many steps 10 his history of crime
before this is reached. lie began the career
just closed by living beyond his means and as
the condition Of his affairs became more des-
perate, still more desperate thoughts flashed up
iu his mind. On certain day he went into The
bank ard saw the money. The idea of robbing
it rose wildly before him. 1t was then only a
suggestion. But he played dalliance with the
thought; soon it become fixed purpose Fa-
miliarity with it impaired strength. The great
end in view held him spell bound. As he laid
his head on the pillow, the idea was his compan-
ion. ln the morning hour, as he went to the
Post Office, it grew in intensity Then he began
to act. The pistol was put in his pocket He
watched for the fitting hour. At length, after
being thwarted, the opportunity came.
Tho flash, the report twice in rapid success
sion, the rifling OF the drawer, the stealthy re-
treat, the burden Of the awful crime, the woe Of
remOrse, the fear of death, all these are but
parts of the tragedy. The deed, with all its an
tecedents and consequences, is but the ripening
of the first wicked thought. The crime was oil
enfolded in that early germ. The guilt began
the moment the wicked purpose was detained il
the mind. Thereforefore "keep thy heart with
all diligence; for out of it are the issues of fe