New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-26
George William Gordon. the jamaica
MARTYR.


Martyr.
In the person of the late George William Cor
DON Jamaica has just added another 10 the list OF
those who have sealed their devotion to liberty with
their lves another victim 10 the accursed spirit OF
negro Slavery. Gordon will now take rank with the
missionary Smith who 40 years ago perished mscraby
in dungeon in DemeTars, IN which he had been in
carcerated by the planters or the crime Of preaching
the gospel of spiritual liberty to the black slaves of
that colony; with John Brown, who paid with his lie
the penalty of his noble devotion TO the cause Of negro
freedom. 4 brief sketch OF the Jamaica martyr viii.
we are sure, he perused with interest by numerous
class Of readers
George William Gordon was al the time OF his execu'
ton close upon 80 years OF age He was native OF the
island Of Jamaica, and born in scrSi,ude. his
mother being mulstto slave woman. His fatler was
a ScotcLmaD planting attorney OF agent OF alb
sentee proprieors. He received but the scane' ele
mentaIy education, but having discovered remarka
bic appitsde fol figures he placed by his father in
the counting house OF wealthy Jamaica planter where
be remained for few years He then commenced bust
ness bis own account, and by his tact dihgenec,
promp titute and puncuslty raised himself to
leading position among the merchants OF the county
Having however embarked largely IN sugar culiiya.
trade policy in Englaud. tie passage OF the sugar du
ties bill of 1916 whereby tho dihcentia duties IN favor
of the products OF free labor abolished caused him
severe losses from tie effects Of which owing 10 the
progressive depreciation of Jamaica property bis for
tunes never entirely recovered About three ago
he was elected Member Of Assembly FOR one of
the rural parishes Of the island his constituents
being principally black people; and he had no
sooner entered the Legislature than be took
his stand as an avowed opponent of the policy
which aims at maintaining the supremacy the planter
class in tue colony he expense Of other interests Of
vital importance the pubic veal and proved himself
a formidable opponent Of the Government He lost no
opportunity OF denouncing that partial and unus sys
tenn Of legislation which has teen the curse o: Jamaca
since emancipation, and advocated with all his powers
and with uncommon energy and ZEAL the claims ol the
freed blacks 20 larger share OF consideration ana re-
pec than they have yet received at the hands oi the
governing class In Jamaica. Al times indeed Dis
zeal SO ardent its quality outran his discrc'.0n'
and be was hurried into the use Of language someWhA
too strong for the conventioraies OF the legislative
arena and it is not surprising that he made maay enc
mics among the dominant class. who delighted IN Aeap
ing opprobUm upon him But with the lovers oi iDcfiy
and Justice hi. evident sncef! OF pGToe and his noble
self ebneGation caused tbis occasional niemperance
Of speech to be overlooked aud the blacks OF Jamaica
soon came 70 regard him Of their warmeSt friends
and most devoted champions.
Gordon was executed for the alleged ohcnse
OF melting the negroes to rebellion. but 1t turns
ont that there has been really no rebellion. HIS
real crime in the eyes OF his murderers - the
crime for which they took hia iie-was that MS
course of political action calculated to open
the eyes OF the black people as they have never
vet be oyned 10 the true character of tat system oil
by which their rights have been trled WITH
their interests sacrificed their progress retarded Ihe
prnclpal evidence upon which he wa, convicted by the
court martial that tried him was socaed sedit1ouS
nac,rd which he had caused 10 be published addressed
10 the blacss This document has been reproduced III
the English newspapers and an extract OF two from IL
berc will show how little reason there was for regarding
II as au inccndiary publication " We Know" says
the address "that our beloved Qneen is too noble
hearted to say anything uakind even TO her
most humble subjects, and We believe 'as'
Mr.. Cardwcd aud Her Maiesty's other hini'sef'
ere gentlemen honorable and honest 10 their inteh-
,io,s vil,f,ly TO wound tie feelings Of Heg Macss
colonial Subjects but ge fear they nave been GeceF'd
and pis!ed and the consequence Is serious ge'ahce
10 our people but we advise them to be prndcnt yci
firm in bcig rcmOnsarccs and we have no dOupt tna!
truth will ultimately prevail ARa!hi ieoPc Va "''
Ann, poor people OF ST. Am, you who have no sugar
estates 10 wosk on nor can find other employment we
cn on Won TO come forth and protest against the unjust
renresentations made against yoa by Gov. Eyre and
his band OF Custodes" (ho chief magistrates oil the
| dir,rent parsles.) "You don't require CuNodes 10
tell vour woes hut you want men free OF Government
influence You want honest men. You want men wi'h
s,nsc of right and wrong and who can appreciate YOU
Call on yoar ministers to reveal your true condition
and thcn call on Heaven to witness aud have mercy.
Goidons unhappy fate proves that this snsuasstbi'
impeachment Of Gov. Eyre and the p!anters-was moi
forgotten. and was not forgiven; bat we think tht
reader will ssree with that it is not The language o
either sedtion or treason 1t is sad that other evidences
against the accused produced at ts trial. consist
ing Of certain expressions in letters on business written
TO his oserseer In st. ThOmas.inthe.East; but 1t
significant that not line of this evidence has bceu
given TO tho world. His merciless enemies dare mo-
publish the lctters but they must some dsy-and thai
ore loug--see the light.
Gordon was tried on Saturday evening and sentenced
To bc hanged but owing to the ateness Of the hour q
which the trial terminated the sentence was not carried
into effect tin early on Monday morning. nor wss he
informed Of his fate till ono hour before HE DEATH On
learning that he was doomed hs asked for writing ma