The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-07-07
JONESBOROUGH,- TENN FRIDAY, JULY T. 1865
FROM the arsonyIIIe Crenn.l New Era.

! sentence Oh COlumDub hhIupJou Oo-
livered by Judge R. r. Butler, on
June 23.
Columbus Hampton, you have had
an impartial trial by a jury of your
own soIection---you were defended by
able counsel, who not oply manifested
great energy and sympathy for you,
but exhibited signal ability for your
defense--a jury Of your own acquain-
tances, selected from pannel Of fifty
seven, upon their oaths said you were
guilty Of murder in the first degree
with slight mitigating circumstances,
and by there finding mitigating cir
cumstances, they have placed your
life at the mercy and in the power Of
the Court. Tho evidence shows that
in April A. d. 1862, you murdered
William Hopton, a quiet, peaceable
and useful citizen, while at his home.
That he was taken a short distance
from his shop by you and others, com.
posing band of rogues, robbers and
murderers, who werc too cowardly to
go to the front and fight like men,
even in q bad cause, but fingered be-
bind the army to steal and murder
innocent, quiet, peaceabe citizens, who
were opposed TO a wicked, senseless
rebellion. Your own confessions
were that you took deliberate aim ut
the crossing of his suspenders, and
when asked what you killed him for,
you said to see him die. One of your
gang at the grave, while the de-
ceased was receiving scarcely a de-
cent burial, had on N suit Of his
clothes that day taken from his home,
and others danced around the gravc,
and threatened TO kill an aged broth
er Of tho deceased, who had come to
assist in the burial, and put him in the
same grave with his murdered BROTH
er. The savages would have blush
ed, had they been present on that oc-
casion, but such is only an index to
the cruelties practiced By the Rebels
while they reigned here.
The blood of that murdered man
has cried for vengeance since 1852, and
the sword OF Justice has overtaken
you at last. You were much miSta-
ken when you supposed that you
could perpetrate all manner of crimes
and then when you saw that tho Reb.
ell cause was sinking, that you could
desert that standard and for protec-
ton unite your fortunes with the
stars and stripes. That standard is
no protection TO murderers; it is des-
pissed by traitors and murderers. 1t
was said that you were o good SOL
der, (but it does not appear in the
proof) A murderer never makes n
good soldier. A man with noble and
generous impulses, high toned aud
honorable, who entertians opinions
and let's others do the samo without
numbering them, makes good soldier
not rogues and murderers-they
make desperadoes and perpetrate
great cruelties, but they are generally
towards when met with equal num-
bers. You are young man in the
prime and vigor of manhood.-You
have an aged father who has watched
the progress Of your trial with great
anxiety, trusting that you might be
able to show yourself innocent, but
now he has turned away disappointed
and his gray hairs are damp with
tears Of sorrow for your condition. 1t
is said you have wife and children
pity them. May God take care of
them. You took the life of your fell
low man without giving him mo-
ment to reflect or repent. His friends
and neighbors were afraid 10 attend
his burial on account Of your muir
derous gang, not knowing what mo-
ment they would be shot down
because they loved their country
Thank Heaven those dark, gloomy and
barbarouS days have passed away and trust
forever. The friends Of the deceased did
| not take revenge III LnelI OWu hhhusi lA SOm-
mend them for their good sense but they
resorted 10 the proper tribunal, and the re-
suit has been reached. The Jury said there
we're slight mitigating circumstances, (ow-
ing to conflict If the evidence, the con-
aiet was easily reconciled) They were not
actuated by aspirit Of vengeance and blood,
but with mercy and forgiveness, thus placing
your life In the hands aud at the mercy OF
The Court. When the Jury finds mitigating
circumstances, II Is. discretionary with the
Court whether he will regard their finding
or not. will regard their finding and will
not have you executed, but will extend to
you the benefit OF the Law, and commute
your punishment from hanging TO eonfne-
ment 10 the penitentiary Of the State for and
during your natural life.-The Sheriff will
deliver you 10 the keeper as soon as con-
venient without delay. May your conviction
and narrow escape Of death be a warning to
the young men Of the country. Oh, what
q thought, yourg man taken away from
bis wife and children, to be shut up In Pris-
on for life but justice must be done and
the laws executed. Let the prisoner be re-
handed to Jail.
D6- AnswSpspsr correspondent at Pans-
ma says d The ehAiries. maid Of Panama ID
a.