The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-03-09

TO THE CnnHszIAar c-rrIzrNs ou rrr 81, 4 n
OF MAINE


~ ihE o'nieT1AH CITIZENS OF THE STATE
s-- OF MAINE.
To the Christian people of Maine, and to all
who have desire to follow in the footsteps
OF the meek and lowly Jesus, who never
turned away from any appeal made to His
humanity: -
This appeal is made to you by suffering
fellow creature who has been an inmate OF
the Maine State Prison "a years and
months, and is now about to throw himself
at your feet and sue for mercy at your hands
am that man; and the reason why merit
it is this: do most solemnly VOW and pro-
test before God, that / am a comparatively
innocent man. AT the time was arraigned
to be tried tor my life, being charged with
the commission of capital crime, L was a
poor, ignorant boy, entirely unacquainted
with the laws of God, or the country, and
had no realizing sense of the nature OF the
crime L committed or of the consequences
which would ensue. God is my witness, that
do not think was responsible for the crime
at the time it was committed. l was ipsH-
gated thereto by wicked and designing per-
son, who took advantage of my ignorance to
lead me into crime without my having any
inclination to commit it, and then turning
States evidence against me was discharged
from court Her discharge caused that guilty
person to laugh so loud that it was heard all
over the Court House, whilst l, a poor, inof-
fensive boy was left among strangers, without
friend in the world to defend me or speak
a word in my behalf Neither the Judge nor
Jury knew anything about me or the state of
my mind, or were cognizant of the mitigating
circumstances connected with my case
was convicted on the evidence of my accom-
plice and was sentenced to one years hard
labor and after that to be hung: the concIu-
sion OF the SpntnDpp hoipn Of &
the Government. The Government. in its
wisdom, saw fit to leave me here in Prison,
and l have so remained for the above named
period. have always endeavored to deport
myself in strict conformity with the 1equire-
ments OF this institution. Whatever have
at any time been ordered 10 do, l have always
tried to do with cheerfulness and alacrity.
My conduct towards all the officers who have
had charge during my imprisonment has al
ways been submissive and respectful. My
case has been strongly recommended to the
Government number of times, and both INV
friends and l have done all we can towards
pardon, but hitherto to no purpose. Under
such painful circumstances am compelled to
appeal from the Government, who are but
the servants of the people, to the people
themselves, who are the highest power in
the State.
Christian people of Maine-God, our Heay-
enly Father, requires us to do all the good we
can, TO administer to the wants OF the poor
and needy. To do good is the highest enjoy
ment. Yes.
There is joy in doing good,
The selfish never know;
draught so deep, so rich and pure,
1t sets the heart aglow;
draught SO rare il thrills the soul with bliss,
And raises it to a heayenler world,
Or makes heaven OF this.
1t is my humble prayer to God, that you
will do me that justice which SO many long
years of good conduct and persevering indus
try have merited.
"Do justice 20 merit wherever you meet it;
From the rich and the poor it is eqnally due;
Though thousands, through Jealousy lightly may
tIe1t II,
The bright mirror of conscience is still in their
veiw.''
To the Christian and the philanthropist of
Maine-I, poor, humble and deeply peni-
tent fellow creature come seeking ior mercy,
feeling confident that 1t will not be altogether
in vain. The Son oil God has said, "Blessed
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"
To show mercy is a noble virtue. 1t not on
ly blesses the giyer, but it is OF incalculable
benefit to the recipient. 1t begets kindly feel
ings of the one and the other. The giver and
the recipient are recommended to each other
by mutual feelings OF good will, and the
pleasurable emotions connected with the con-
sciousness of having done an act of mercy
fix the deed in the recollection of the one
while sense OF gratitude renders it sacred
in the other. The more good we do in this
World lhe more we shall be benefited, for
tnere Is notnlnS that makes ealth so much
Ilhe neaVeh as doing good. Jesus left the
seat OF bis glory and came into our world, to
snow what the spirit of heaven was. What
was the example He left us? We are tod
that lie went about doing good" he Turn
ed not away from any case that Appealed 10
His humanity. His delight was TO minister
to the wants of the poor, needy and afflicted.
God Himself is gratified TO STANG IN sne attl-
creatures that He delights in doing good
There is far more satisfaction in doing good