Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-05-25
[From the New York AdvertiserI
Chaloner-Cairnes- New Social Phase

We have, in the vcrdicts lust given by
Maryland and Quebec juries, additional
striking proofs of the aversion IN which pub
lie estimation holds the robber of woman's
virtue, and of the almost utter lmpossibility
oil holding the revenger 10 an accountability
for murder or manslaughter. Under prom
Use OF marriage, Nicholas McComas, OF Har-
ford county, Nd, betrayed Martha ].
Cairnes. One excuse after another was
given by him for postponing the marriage.
Finally, becoming convinced that McComas
never intended marriage, the woman coolly
rode up few days since to the verandah Of
a hotel where lie was sitting, surrounded by
comrades, and shot him dead. No effort
was made 10 arrest her, as she drove away,
and she aiterward gave herself up to the au.
thorlties for trial. Crowds thronged TO the
court house, and the prisoner was showered
with epistles expressive of approval and
sympathy. The press through Maryland
warmly defended her, and visitors of both
sexes crowded TO see her. After being out
five minutes on Saturday evening, the Jury
returned verdict Of mot guilly,n and the
prisoner was cheered by the populaee and
received midnight serenade, as likewise
did the jury. The same feelings displayed
by the waTm-blo0ded Marylanders have
been exhibited by the cooler and less inn
petuous Canadians. In March last, John II
Chaloner purchased revolver, and while
Ensign Frederick G. Whitaker, the de-
stroyer OF his sisters happiness, was uncon-
cernedlY skating on one of the city Kinks, he
sent fatal bullet crashing through his
brain Tie Crown labored hard to secure
the prisoners conviction. The Jury retired.
and returned soon, stating that Ihey had moi
agreed. The Chief Justice informed them
that they would have to be locked up lor the
night. Upon this the jury held a consulta.
tion among themselves in the box, their OBJ
ject, from all appearance, being to convince
one OF their number, the only one 0bieetinr
according TO all acconnts-to acouit the
prisoner, after some minutes, the obstinate
juror being convinced, the foreman stated
that they were prepared TO render their YER
dict. The Chief Justice said that evidently
the verdict was hasty one, and he conse-
| quently refused to receive it in the interest
of society. They would have to retire Ia
their room till eleven O'Clock the next day,
and reconsider whatever decision they had
come TO, and the Court would adjourn. The
Court accordingly adjourned. The next
morning they again brought IN verdict O
acquittal.
Since the SIngleton-Alercer affair of Phila
delphla, which twenty years ago attracted
much attention through the country, we re-
call no instance oil feYenger Of BETRAYED
honor, man or woman, being convicted o
murder or manslaughter. From that day tC
this, public sentiment has seemingly become
more and more fixed and decided In holdina
the seducer as an outlaw, whose crime Jus
titles any retIibution meteG out to himself
and places linn, as II were, beyond the pale
OF defence. In Washington, Philadelphia
Richmond, New York, Albany, and now IL
Baltimore and Quebec, juries virtually say
10 him who has been dishonored that he cal
take the law into his own hands with impu
nifty. The husband who deliberately shoot
his wlle's paramour in Pennsylvania ave
nue., or as coolly puts to death at Stanwi,
Hall the trltler with his partners honor; til,
brother who ends the lie Of his sisters Sc.
ducer; the woman who killed her ravishe
on the steps OF Washington department
or sends into another world the taverl
lOunger who, under promise OF marriage ha
wronged her--are alike justified by yer
dict OF aequittal, and borne IN triumph from
the halls OF justice Ii woman feels tia
upon her falls the burden of Illicit love; If sh
sees her betrayer socially recognized as be
fore, while she is branded and disgraced
she has yet, as public sentiment now exists
the satisfaction, II satisfaction 1t be, o
knowing that she can with impunily let lal
the avenging blow upon the author Of he
wrongs.