Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-08
Stokes.

On the hrst Saturday OF loi2 The coun
try was startled by the announcement thai
Col. James Fisk, Jr., bad been shot auC
mortally wounded in New York city By
Edwin S. Stokes. a rival in the affection.
Of one Of Fisk's paramours; and on the
first Saturday in 1873 the country is hardly
less startled by the announcement that a
jury Of citizens Of New York city, after a
protracted and on second trial, have found
verdict of murder Of the first degree
against Stokes, and that he has been sen.
fenced to be hung. People had, not with
out reason, come to the conclusion that
hanging in New York was played out,
especially when the murderer had money
or influence enough to secure able counsel,
and suborn witnesses to swear to the requi.
site testimony for his acquittal. Just or
unjust, this was the almost universal opin-
ion, aud the conviction Of Stokes is the
first event which has occurred to shake
ones belief in its justice.
The trial Of Stokes has been conducted
with great ability, both on the part Of the
government as well as the defense, and the
charge Of the judge 10 the jury was one Of
the fairest We have ever read The defense
was an afterthought, carefully prepared
and plausible. 1t consisted in an attempt
to prove that Fisk drew a pistol upon
Stokes first, and that Stokes shot him ia
self-defeuse. But the instructive sense Of
tbs community reyolted against the iDge-
NOUS plea, and had no doubt but that it was
clear case Of murder, and this feeling
found a ready response in the minds Of the
jurymen.
As between Fisk and Stokes the public
at large has no sympathies The reason
why there has been strong sentiment that
Stokes should be convicted and punished
was precisely the same as the sentiment in
any other case. If there is to be no pun.
ishment Of crime, lawless men will carry
things with high hand. The acquittal oil
Stokes, or a failure to convict him, would
have been universally regarded as a failure
Of justice and a license to murderers. -
Stokes may think himself well treated. lie
has lived in luxurious retirement for a
whole year, and has kept up for that time
the appearance Of an injured man, to his
own satisfaction, at least Other vulgar
murderers have been given less daintiy.
furnished apartments and have been prompt
y tried and convicted. Stokes undoubted.
had reason to expect that in New York
court he would have lou a more plant
judge and jury, but things have changed
for the better during the year, and it may
be that in process Of time the chances Of
criminal for getting clear by the free use
Of money and an industrious use Of the
columns Of sympathizing journals, may be
materially reduced
There is another murderer confined in
New York city whose prompt sentence and
speedy execution we think would be hailed
as certain indication Of much needed
reform in that city. We refer to the case
Of Foster, whose brutal murder, with car.
hook, of Mr.. A. d. Putnam, while defend
ing lady in his charge from Fosters in
suits, is well remembered. We confess VIC
have never beeen able to think or read Of
this case without getting blood thirsty, and
having our convictions Of the utility oil
hanging strengthened and confirmed. We
sincerely trust this case of Stokes will moi
prove to be simply spasm of virtue, t.
be followed by reaction which will leave
matters worse than they were before.