The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-07
Tho Case Critically Considered.

NEW YORK, Dec. O. 1859.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD
have read the .Header" In your issue OF yester-
day In reference to this painful subject with mingled
feelings Of pride and pleasure, and do not hesitate
to regard 1t as noble and opportune vindcation Of
those moral principles which should govern society,
as well as forclbe protest against the uemoral-
izing teachings and false theology Of certain class
oil s0-called 'socialists' who would rain shield
the adulterer from public execratl0n, and pal
liate-aye, champion-hs crime. Let those indi-
vduais, Just for the nonce, imagine them
selves placed In the trying position Of the
wronged husband and father, and each consider
what no would be prompted to do under the circum-
30, pu cnos H atewn to snrn es
which do not belong to them-and which their pecu-
liar aptitude ior preludgng proves them not lifted
judge and jury. Let them call to memory the Latin
maxlm. Ne sutor ultra creptdans. and, above all,
discordant and savage chorus for more blood.
1t 10 not my desire 70 drag Richardson's memory
charity be consigned; bus IN snis instance oesm
both necessary and proper 70 40 so IN
Mr and Mrs. mcfarland did not oasE in the
sunshine OF domestic felicity; granted that he
Mcfarland, may have been lacking IN many OF those
tute the good husband, what right under heaven,
legal other had richardson to tempt the frau wO-
man from her sworn lawful alleglancef Certainly
none. II the base act be held Justinabe In this
stance on his part, then might not any graduate OF
the school OF scandal who chooses to act similar
part under like circumstances be likewise justlfed
IN so dong and do 30 with 1mpuuityf And II law
ana public opinion unite In encouraging such law
less state OF things by protecting tue guilty party
and paiating his crime the bonds which bind socte
~ Will eventually be rent In twain and the moral
and social order Of things subverted or merged In
the chaos Of unresLrained 's0cialism," which
Is but another name for .'libertnism"
When sensuaist has unrestricted license to take
advantage OF any case OF matrimonial nelicty, to
whisper the poisoned words Of the seducer into the
ear OF the wife, what will become OF the sacred
bond OF marrlageS Where will be found the security
OF virtue-where the preventive Of vice The law
should promptly put forth its strong arm to protect
and vindicate the rights OF the husband, and not
revenge.n And where the law withholds the shield
of its protection, and the wronged and dishOnored
husband becomes the insane avenger OF his own
wrongs, the crime ar such 1t may be calledl should
be traced to lis hidden source, every extenuating
circumstance considered and placed at the side OF
mercy, and the howl for blood should give place to
the softer whisperngs and milder pleadngs OF SYM
patty and charity.
Richardson has passed beyond the reach OF this
worlds praise or censure and has already answered
Tor acts done while in the 1esa before the 81.
preme tribunal OF the Almighty Judge; but his
memory YET among us, anu WISH NJ, tnat we eacn
istic and very favorable estimate OF his character
pronounced by Messrs. rockingham and Beecher
over his mortal remains, and say in sincerity, De
faortuis mi MIST b0nun. Two other actors IN the
Tragedy remain-one Mrs. Mcfarland alias Richard.
son, roams at large, carrying ABOUT with her
conscience which l doubt not must be q very dis
agreeable travelling companion; the other tine
wronged husband ana father, his HANDS imbrued III
the blood OF his victim, shut in from Heavens sun
snlne In gloomy dungeon, with vile surroundings,
brooding In silent, desperate mood over his wrongs
and mlsr0rtunes. and awaiting IN anxious suspense
the expected summons to answer for his crime be-
fore jury Of his fellow citizens, who 1t is to be
earnestly hoped, VIII try him by the standard OF true
Justice tempered and softened however, by that
humane sympathy and kindly charity which the
tenuafing and peculiar circumstances surrounding
the case call Tor. Il. O'D. o'C.