The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-02-24
4 PLEA FOR BOWEN.

From the Washington Chronicle Of Wednesday,
We have received letter from Mrs. S. Peti-
CRU Bowen which moves US to the very hearts
core. To woman accomplished, proud and sen.
stiye as she Is, the events OF weeks past must
have brought Inexpresslblc pain, and wrought in
her the intensest Indignation and hate. We can.
not print the communication because or It's
length, and because, that with much OF denuncla-
tion which Is severely Just, there Is also unjust
cepsure. She says, tonchingly, OF Mi. @. G.. Bowen
that
"He had not concealed his antecedents from
sine. knew that he had been an orphan boy
"without relations or friends, had drifred into
1.-THE company OF gamblers and prostitutes, and
chad lived their life until 1t pleased the good God
ITO lift him Fl ON the mre and to stir Within him
"thc sp!rib OF reformation and purllcation.n
he married. Mrs. Prtgru King he did it with the
llrm resolve to lead o temperate studlous and
honorable life. We personally Know 'that ior
months thereafter. and we believe that TO this
day, he has kept that resolve. She states also
truly, that the prime movers IN these prosecu-
lions are actuatcd by no zeal FOR the welfa
OF society, but by simple hateful revenge, and
pursue these matters with the sole pur-
pose OF breaking down the political strength
district and prejudlcing in advance before Con-
gress his contested election ca e. We're lt not Tor
tuis the recent prosecution would never nave
been heard Of Itis also true that the acLs OF the
early life OF Mr. Bowen exist, and that the United
States Court can not refuse to take cogntzance OF
them when brought TO It's notice. II was the duty
OF the attorney TO prosecute, and OF the court TO
try the case. The motive OF the inrormer aud
tlfeess pursuer has nothing to do with this. We
wrote nothing during the trial, because we did
not wish to seem to prrjudgs the case. We cannot
now Justify or In any manner excuse Mr. Bowen.
Even not guilty Of blgamy his past record Is terri
bly.dark Having soWn the. wind he has reaped the
whirlwind. "IIe that walketh uprlghtly WalSeth
surelyn and he alone. Yet we would dwell on
all mitigating circumstances as given by Mrs.
Bowen, and as we know them to be true, we
would with charity grant opportunity for repeu.
tance and for living down the evil OF youthful
days. We indignantly Condemn the spirit OF per-
sstent malice with which this prosecution is
pushed. We give almost telr:ui heed TO the clos-
inr appeal wrung from the agitated wife IN the
bitterness OF her soul:
.Thls persecution takes every shape-murder.
carson, forgery, burglary-are ADDED to the
"charges OF bigamy. The most rdculously
s.ghastly stories are gravely inserted In newspa-
"pers by order Of une person; warrants are issued
"on his sole testimony again and again. we shall be
sreduced to abIect poverty by legal requisitlons;
.Iny life Is harassed, my health undermined, my
treason tsttcrs aud lie ut the mercy Of Vlllaln
"whose very counicnance Should inspire d1S6elief
rand mistrl,st."
III appeal to the public In every State. l i'm.
.plore the press to veutilate this IOul business
task protection at the hands Of honess men anu
"women everywhere.
"By the memory Of my great father, whose life
twas lesson Of nuGleness and duty; whose time
.beIunged TO the oppressed OF every sex and race,
"a ask relief from this vile persecution: Snall
sasE In vain? S. PETIGRU bowen.