Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-07-04


them. Day after day could see The
dreadful ravages OF tbs secret horrors
doubly terrible, since they dared not di-
vulge il. Still, 10 all that we could, the
money could not be obtained, The day
preceding he last one given. Summer
field was summoned before the commit.
tee. and fun Information given him Of The
state of affairs Obduratc, hard md cruel
he still continued. Finally a proposition
was started that an attempt should hc
made 10 raise the other half of the mon.
ey in the city of New York. To this lso
posal Summeriield ultimately yielded. but
with extreme reluctance II was agreed
in committee that | should accompany
him thithcr, and take with me. in my
own possession, evidences OF the sums
subscribed here; tha; proper appeal
should be made to the clergymen oI that
metropolis, and that when the whole
amount was raised, it should be paido1er
to Summerfeld and a bond be taken from
him never to diyulgc bis awful secret 10
any human being.
With this he seemed TO be >ati>fcd,and
lett Us to prepare for his going lLe next
morning.
As soon rs he lett the apartment, the
bishop arose, and deprecated Che action
that had been taken and characterized it
rs childish and absurd He declared that
no man was safe one moment, whilst
that diabolical wretch" still lived; that
the only security Tor Us all, WAS in his
immediate eXtirpatiOn from The face OF
The earth, and that no amount OF money
could seal his lips or close his hands 1t
would be no crime. he said. to deprive
him of the means OF aSsaSsinating
the whole human family, aud That for
himself he was for booming him 10 inn
mediate death.
With a uHanimity that WAS extraordm-
airy, the entire committee conceded
a great many plans were proposed,
discussed and rejected. having in view
the determination Of Summerfeld. In
them all was the want of that proper
caution which would lull the apprehen
sions Of an enemy; for should he Tor an
instant suspect treachery we knew his M
ture well enough that he would waive ali
ceremonies and carry his threats into i'm.
mediate execution.
|. was finally resolved that the trip to
New York should not be abandoned, ap.
parently But that we were to start out
in accordance with the original pro.
gramme; that during the journey, some
proper means should be reSorted to by
me to carry ont the final intentions of the
committee and whatever | did would ~
sanctioned by them all. and full protec-
ton both in law and conscience afforded
me in any stage of the proceeding.
Nothing was wanting but my own con.
cent, but this was difficult 10 secure.
At the first Wow it seemed TO be q hor.
rible and unwarrantablc crime. to deprive
fellow being of life, under any circum-
stances; but especially 50, where in
meeting his fate, no opportunity was to
be afforded him for preparation or re
pentance. 1t was long time before
could disassOciate, in my mind. the two
ideas OF act and intent, Ny studies had
long ago made me perfectly familiar
with the doctrine of the civil. law, that
in order to constitute guilt, there must be
a union of action AMI Intention Taking
the property of another t. not then. uu
less, rs The lawyers term it. there Is the
IHimus tiraRdi. So in homicide, lie
may be lawfully taken in some instances.
whilst the deed may be excused in 9th.
ers, The sheriff hangs the folon, and dc
priveS him Of existence; yet no one
thinks OF accusing The officer OF murder.
The soldier Stays his enemy, still the act
is considered heroical 1t does not there.
tore follow that human life Is too sacred
10 be taken away under ali circum,tan.
ces. The point 10 lie considered was thus
narrowed down into one grand inquiry,
whether Symmetrical was properly to be
regarded rs h0Tii, AtlHani geaeriS, the
enemy Of the human race or not If he
should justly be. 50 considered, then IL
would not only not be = crime to Kill him.
but an act worthy OF the highest com.
mendalion. Who blamed Mckenzie Tor
hanging Spencer to the yardann. Yet
in his case the lives of only "a small
ships crew were in jeopardy. Who con-
demned Pompey Tor cxterminating the
pirates from the Adritic2 Yet in his
case, only small portion ct the Roman
Republic was liable To devastation. Who
accused Charlotte Cor,lay OF ;,ssassina-
ton Tor Stabbiug Marat in his bath Slill
her arm only saved the lives of tcw
thousand OF revolutionary Freuchmen.--
And 10 come down to our own times,
who heaps accusation upon the heads of
Lincoln. Thomas or Sheridan, or even
Grant, though in marching to victory
over crushed rebellion, they deemed It
necei saly to wade through scenes of hu.
man gore? If society has the right u DC.
fend itself from the assaults Of criminals.
who at best can only destroy a few OF its
members. why should hesitate when it
was apparent that the destiny Ct the
globe Itself hung in the haEuce2 Ill
Summeriield should live aud carry out