The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-06-08

New York. To this proposal Summer
field ultimately yielded, but with extreme
reluctance 1t was agreed in committee
that l should accompany him thither, and
take with me, in my own possession,
evidences of the sums subscribed here;
that proper appeal should be made to
the leading capitalists, scholars and
clergymen of that metropolis, and that,
when the whole amount was raised, 1T
be paid over to Summeriield and bond
taken from him never to divulge his awful
secret to any human being.
With this he seemed TO be satisfied, and
left us to prepare for his going the mex.
morning.
As soon rs he left the apartment, the
Bishop arose, and deprecated the action
that had been taken and characterized it
as childish, and absurd He declared
that no man was safe one moment. whilst
''that diabolical wretch" still lived; that
the only security for us all, was in his i'm
mediate extrpation from the tace of tie
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, and that as for himself he
was for booming him to immediate death.
With unanimity that was eXtraord-
nary, the entry committee conceded,
great many plans were proposed,
discussed and rejected, having in view
the determination Of Summertleld In
them all there was the want Of that proper
caution which would lull the apprehen-
sions of au enemy; for should he for an
instant suspect trcache.y we knew his ma
ture we'll enough to be satisfied that he
would waive all ceremonies and carry his
threats into immediate execution.
1t was finally resolved that the trip to
New York should not be abandoned, ap-
parcntly But that we were to start out
in accordance with the original pro-
gramme; that during the journey, some
proper means should he resorted to by me
to carry out the final intentions of the
sanctioned by them all, and full protection
both in law and conscience afforded Inc
in any stage of the proceeding.
Nothing was wanting but my own con
! sent but this was difficult to secure.
At the first view, it seemed TO be u
most horrible and unwarrantable crime
to deprive fellow being of lite, under
any circumstances; but especially 50
where, in meeting his fate, no opportunity
was to be afforded him for preparation or
repentance. 1t was long time before
could disassociate, in my mind, the two
ideas of act and intent. My studies had
long ago made me perfectly familiar with
the doctrine Of the civil law, that in order
to constitute guilt, there must be Il union
of action and intention. Taking the
property Of another is not theft, unless,
,.I,.. II,
furandi SO in homicide, life may be
lawfully taken in some instances, whilst
the deed may be excused in others. The
sheriff hangs the felon, and deprives him
OF existence; yet nobody thinks Of accus-
inc the officer of murder. The soldier
Stays his enemy, still the act is considered
! heroical. 1t does not therefore follow
that human life is too sacred to be taken
away under all circumstances The point
to be considered was thus narrowed down
into one grand inquiry, whether Summer
field was properly TO be regarded as hortis
humani generis the enemy Of the human
race or not. II he should Justly be 50
considered, then il would not only be not
a crime to kill him. but an act worthy of
the highest commentator. Who blamed
Mckenzie for hanging Spencer TO the
y tti Ntstl III L Cl III Nti9N- tli1 ilNAS VI
only small Ships crew were in jeopardy
Who condemned Pompcy for cxlerminal-
inc the pirates from the Adlatic ? Yet in
his case, only sinai. portion Of the Ro-
man Republic was liable to devastation.
Who accuses Charlotte Couday of assas-
sinalion for stahbing Marat in his hathp
still her arm only saved the lives OF few
thousand Of revolutionary Frenchnen.
And 10 come down to our own times, who
heaps accusation upon the heads Of
Lincoln, Thomas OF Sheriden, or even
Grant, though in marching to victory over
crushed rebellion they deemeditnecessary
to wade through seas of human gore? If
society has the right 10 defend itself from
the assaults of criminals, who at best can
only destroy Il few of its members, why
should hcstate when it was apparent
that the destiny Of the globe itself hung
in the balancc2 If Summerfield Should
live and carry out his threats the whole
world would feel the shock; his death
was the only path to perfect safety.
asked the privilege of meditation tor
one hour at the hands of the committee,
before | would render y decision either
! way. During that recess the above argu-
mcntation occupied my thoughts. The
time expired aud | again presented my
self before them. | did not deem it re
qlisitc to state the grounds Of my deci-
sion; briefly signtied my assent and
made instant preparation to carry the plan
into execution
Having passed on the line Of the Pacific
Railway more than once, was perfectly
familiar with all of its windings, gorges
and precipices.
| selected Cape Horn as the best adapt
! ed to the purpose and the public
| knows the rest
Having been fully acquitted by two
tribunals of the law, make this final APP
4 peal to my fellow men throughout the
| State, and ask them confidently not to re
verse the judgments already pronounced.
| am conscious Of no guilt feel no
rcmorsc; | need no repentance. For me
| Justice has no terrors and conscious no
sting. Let me be Judged solely by the
motives which actuated me, and the inn
portance of the end accomplished. and |
shall pass unscathed both temporal and
eternal tribunals. LEoNIDAS PARKER
LOST STARS. Like dropping dying
stars our loved ones so away FROM our
sight The stars of our hopes, our ambi-
tions, our prayers, whose light ever shines
before us, leading US on and up, they
suddenly fade from the tirmament of our
hearts, and their place is left empty, cold
and dark A mothers steady, soft and
earnest light that beamed through all
our wants and sorrows; y father strong,
quick light, that kept our feet from Stun
bling in the dark and treacherous ways;
Il sisters light, so mild, so pure, so con-
stant, so firm, shines upon us from gentle
loving eyes and persuading US to grace
and goodness; 4 brothers light, bright
and bold and honest; Il lovers light for
ever sleeping in our soul, and illuminat
ing our goings and comings; u friends
light, true and trusty-gone out forever?
No The light has not gone out. 1t is
shining beyond the stars, where there is
no night and no darkness forever and for
ever. Never call man lost until he is
buried in u hopeless grave. No man is
lost upon whom any influence can be eN-
crted; no man is lost to whom the offer
of the gospel may be brought. 1t is but
u few weeks since l sat by one of the
purest and lovliest females who was once