The Portland daily press., 1870-08-06

why Jonn Zeal should have been so persist
emily kept before the public the past two years
any more than the thousand other murderers
that New York produces every year, we are at
Il loss to understand, except that he has been a
representative of certain party in New York
politics, and his execution or pardon would
been victory of Tammany or a triumph for
Anti-Tammany. John Real was a miserable
pothouse blackguard, a hauger-on TO a few To-
cal politicians, and the doer of his share of
dirty work, the chief of which was the un-
provoked and causeless murder of John
Smedck, in July, 1868, as the latter was on his
rounds. Real assumes that the officer had pur-
sued him with such persistency and vindic-
tiveness that assassination became necessary
as a matter of self-preservation. In a ram
bling, incoherent statement, completed before
execution, Reals babbles of politics and COM
plains that his death was necessary for the in
terest of certain quondam associates, But the
question was set ut rest by Johns execution
yesterday for murder, aud we are glad to re-
cord the fact, rs an indication that hanging is
not yet entirely "played out" in New York,
even it the criminal is connected with the
Democratic party. Here follow the particulars
of the affair:
Real retired at half-past ten o'clock Thurs.
day night, and after sound sleep awolxe soon
after five o'clock next morning, prepared for
Death The rites of the Eucharist were admin
istered by Father Rankin and were shared by
Thomas Sheridan, Reals fellow prisoner, who
is also awaiting execution. During the cere-
mony, as well as during the remaining hours
of life, Real maintained the same calm and
composed deOeanor and apparent resignation
to his fate which has characterized the whole
term of his imprisonment. This morning (Fri-
dav) however, be was unusually r+ticent and
was little disposed to converse, either with the
officers or his spiritual adviser.
Shortly after the prison clock struck nine
Real came from his cell and out of the prison
into the open court and walked to the gallows
erected IN its usual place in front of the wing
of the private prison. He was pinioned and in
he kept his eyes intenty fixed while constant
ly engaged i'll prayer. lie was neatly dressed
in light pants, dark frock coat and polished
CATERS, but wore neither collar or cravat. His
appearance indicated health and his presence
of mind aud fortitnde sustained him SO that he
walked steadily and without apparent emotion
or fear of the gallOws. Two priests attended
him in repeating passages of scripture and
worcs OF consolation, while strong force of
deputy shertfs closed in the rear OF the pro-
cesSiOn.
Real kneeled on the floor of the gallows and
the priests besid HIM, and during the few mo-
meuts he was in this posture the moose was
adjusted about bis neck and the knot properly
arranged.
The priests then rose, Sheriff Stevens gave
the signal to the executioner, and the body of
Real rose instantly and with lnrch four feet
into air where it remained suspended. A slight
CONFUSION of Che limbs followed, but no other
motion OF any kind was made.
The execution was conducted in almost per-
feet silence and witnessed by but few exceDt
Reals former friends and city officials A large
force of policemen under Capt. Kennedy was
on doty, without and within the Prison and the
tops OF houses and all available outside points
of view were also carefully cleared of specta-
tors. Superintendent Jourdan and many of
the city authorize were in attendance and
witnessed the spectacle. Sheriff O'Brion was
also said to be the Tombs bat did not witness
the execution.
Notwithstanding the police precautions and
the impossibility OF gaining sight or adnlis-
sion within the prison, the adjacent streets
were filled with thousands OF people, who re-
manned until all was over.
"NAPoLEoN AT THE HEAD OF HIS ARMY"
This announcement must be accepted in a
very limited sense, if the following statement
by a Paris correspondent is not exaggerated.
We quote:
Once for all, the talk about Napoleon COM
maudng bis army In person is mere bunknm,
Majesty is strictly ordered by his doctors to alb
stain from mounting horse. Only month
Or SO ago he really fell from his charger from
pam, snd the moment he got to the ground had
Il most =. aisrmipg fanting fit, which lasted for
more than twenty minutes. How is a man in
MS state q Health rgIrit. like Wellington at,
ting out of the sa8dle; or like NarOIcon's own
rival in the coming campaigp-Wiliiam of
Prussia from three in the morning till five in
the afterroon? 1t is said tat Euseuia has
had aI@onderfully light aud strong carriage
mad for her husbands use; but even If this be
trde, how is he to get across bitches or down
sharp slopes 10 order to reach the points of the
field from which a general view of the field
may be obtainable? No. it is no secret in
France, and the first officer you meet will
laugh If you ask if the Emperor is good lead
er. He cannot ride now" they say, and for
his abilities as commander-in chief, "demandez
a Mc1fdhon" This means that at Magenta,
during the Italian campaign of '59, Napoleon
loue m the wrong direction, and narrowly es-
ttaped falling into the hands of the Austrians,
oeane only rescued by brilliant charge of cav
!, a:ry, headed by Gen. McMahon, who is oow on
a corps d drmee A0 ooi'''''A0 "