The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-06
WAS MCFARLAND JusrTIEDa

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
have read with much pain and interest the state
ments IN the HERALD about the Richardson tragedy.
do not know any Of the parties connected with It.
aud lar be it from me the motive that censures I'M
justly the action IN this note but would ask few
questions Has not the Interchangeable law OF cause
and eject been represented In Richardson's case
viz, do injustice aud suffer sooner or later would
do Mr.. Richardson no injustice, but who can doubt
that the premium that he publicly offered for the In
fidelity OF another mans wife by declaring his inten-
tons to marry Mrs. Mcfarland when he could To-
gally met with just retrDution 1t recoed upon his
own browf II he was considered intelligent and H.
nuential was not the crime greater, the RESPONSE
bllllty deeperi DID ne possess those estimabe quail
ties whlcn unite the mind ana heart TO iOrn the
gem Of true friendship, tho champion Of virLuey II
Mcfarland did not love his wife would he have cared
what she did IL he possessed the depth OF feeling
consistent with the sLncuty OF the matrimonial tie
OF vow, would he not grieve TO his hearts centre
when experiencing what he haSY Is adultery y
crime In New York; What civil action c0uiu COM
pensate for the loss Of or the perverson OF the
love due him from his wife aud the mother
OF his childrenP all OF which was done,
Ia evident, by Richardson. Would you be content,
reader III marriedl TO see the vile you dotted upon
ruined ana Your cnlidren disposed or and remain
calmS Inc human mind Is often assimllaLed TO the
object 1t contenplates. Would you IKE that state Of
things " exist winch would set aside the sancuty
OF tue matrimonial tie Tor the afinities Of passion,
even II s0iemnlzed by popular dvine5. TO their dls-
grace as wen as your cafens NY ~, God n aa ave
sorely feel the OF the injustice done u uer
as well as ner injured husband. Solitude must be
agony and society cursen Is not MRS. Mcfarland
accessory to the murderf / have no doubt Mcfal-
land shot Richardson and II he would be justified IN
shooting o burglar Or hlghwaynan he ought TO be
ia tins cases lew observation-disclosures minds-can
stand suca tension strain Ought not every one 10
Iahy understand that to invade the domestic circle
u dangerouss 1t 10 lamentaDle. j am truly sorry
Tor RiIhardson's ndiscretions and Acfarland's
afilictions. Far better 1--we humble human, peace
ral Hdsrifp IN
lshng and exerting kind affections and extend them
to friends and nesnDors. DARE 10 BE TRUE.
Boys View Of the Mcfarland Rici,ardson
Case.
To THE EDITOR OF THB HERALD:-
The following Ii an extract from letter written
by a boy In New York city to his lather in the
country
My DEAR FArHER-I send you by this mall the
HERALD OF to-day. wish TO invite your SPECIAL
speech" Of Rev. Henry Ward Beecner, delivered
at the AstUr House yesterday. while standing over
the dead body or A. y. Richardson, who was Killed
by q man named Mcfarland. Richardson seduccd
McFarlands wife ard alhenated her affections
and those OF his children from him. Mcfarland
arei; .herenpon Richardson's friends make him
out i saint and Mcfarland o brute, for the reason
That Mr.. Richardson was brilliant writer on the
doctrine Of 'free love nnd common property In wo.
menu and tins man Beecher, claiming to Ike minis.
makes tine announcement I'm enectl That The
lBsecher) Will sustain any man who fought for the
Union In anything and everything he might do"
Things have come to o nice pass when seducers and
villains all grades are to be forgiven and euloRzed
because, forsooth, they thought for the Union."
would not ike to nave for VILE woman who was
. member Of Mr.. Beecher's congregation. The
Rev. IL Mr. Frotnlngham I'm erecu ''nankcd God
that Richardson had seduced McFarandis wtle"
You ali tnlnk New YORK q hotoed OF CRIME aud Its
citizens demoralzed body; but you will lind. when
Mcfarland put upon ms triai, t1at they do not
propose 10 follow the teachings OF the 30 called
divines. 1t win not do to rule that any handsome,
smooth tongued land highly imaginaIve) war cor
respondent OF the IabuiD may select for himself the
wife Of any n0n-literary citizen aud make her his
woman.D Mr.. Beecher had sufficiently outraged
the feelings OF oil decent people By marrying McFar
lands wife to Richardson, but we are 80 accustomed
10 ssensatlons here that this llstle irreguiarity
wouid have passed away without much notice, but
tnls .,speech OF Beecher has literally "knocked US
on our pinsr TO an elegant New York phrase).
/ don't know any OF the parties. but do Know
the circumstances, and / think we can only blame
Nc Farand in that he did not Kill Richardson Ion.
time since.
Your afYecti0nate son. JAMES.