Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-05-18
fgalphman Sc journal.
Mr.. Netherlands Acquittal.


This exciting trial, which has SO eugrossec
the attention Of the public for several weeks
was brought to a close on Wednesday last
by the acquittal Of the prisoner. The Re
cordcr's charge was considered as rather un
favorable to the prisoner. The jury wer,
absent one hour and forty minutes, when they
brought in a verdict Of not guilty" III
is understood that the jury stood ten for ac.
quittal and two against but that a discussion
Of the case soon won over the minority to the
verdict A most extraordinary scene follow.
ed the verdict Mcfarland and his counsel
were surrounded by an excited mob Of peo-
pie, many Of them women, who checred and
wept in the frenzy Of their joy, and ombrac-
ed and kissed everybody within their reach.
The jurors came in for fall share Of the
general congratulations After The prisoner
was formally discharged, he was conducted to
a carriage by his nephew ami lady friends
and taken to the residence Of DR.. Mcfarland,
his brother in Lamartne Place--eycr since
which time he has been most disgustingy lion.
led
In the TriJane Of next day Mrs. McFar-
Richardson published lengthy account
Of her married life and her acquaintance and
relations with Misunderstanding it Abby
Sage Richardson" and making oath to it,
truthluIness. She was married at the age Of
nineteen to a man twenty years her senior, Of
whom apparently she knew but little. She
bore three children, two Of whom are still
living. 1t is impossible to doubt that she led
miserable life, and that Mcfarland was
greatly to blame fort. But ordinary reason
is somewhat staggered when she states she
could have proved her husband an adulterer
and secured divorce from the courts Of her
own State, but she preferred to 90 to Indiana
and get one on the ground Of intemperancc and
unkindness, which she considered the greater
offence She admits that she was coniessedy
in love with Richardson long before She was
legally freed from Mcfarland
After the result Of this remarkable trial,
and taking into account the course Of the
press and the drift of public sentiment dur.
ing its progress and since its termination, it
may as well be considered settled that no
jury will ever again be persuaded TO convict
man Of murder for killing a seducer, or one
even who has moddlod to such an extent as
Richardson is shown to have done in hi.
family affairs The eases Of Gen. Sickle.
and Cole are well known and have their
cuunterparts in less celebrated ones all over
the country. This is a similar case in kind.
though perhaps not in degree Here was a
man known to be Incorporate, who for ten
years had led the woman he should have pro.
tected and cherished, miserable life. In her
trouble she was beiriended by man who
helped her to divorce, with the purpose oil
marrying her. 1t is not necessary to suppose
there was anything scandalously criminal in
their conduct. The friend was widely known
as popular author, had hosts of powerful
personal friends, and had won great admra.
ton for his services aud suiIerings in the cause
of his country. Yet when he is deliberately
shot by the disspatod husband, so strong and
universal is the feeling of the sacredness Of
the marriage relation, and the desire to guard
it from every foe, that a jury of twelve men
pronounce the act no crime There is no lie.
gal penalty for seduction--we use the word
in its widest sense, which includes any entic.
ing Of woman away from her husband and
it becomes serious question for legislator.
whether they will supply the want or whether
these executions Of vengeance by prvat,
hands shall continue and our courts be turnc,
periodically into mere mass-meetings for tn,
noisy demonstration of popular prejudice oil
sympathy.