The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-04-04
Farewell Letter from Gordon.

Frier.ds Of ny Better Days:
Ere this reaches you, viii have entered
on a series of servile years, at penal servi-
tude AZ felon. Now to demur, to the
charge against me, would be considered
absurd-eVen preposterous--and rs blushing
denials can benefit nothing but my own
conscience. / will bow meekly and obedi-
entity TO the supreme will OF the law.
But, when glance at the past, and COM
pare nay once happy and honorable RSso-
Citations, with my present fallen and de-
graded condition, this broken heart SINKS
within me; indeed, dear friends, the bitter
cup of my anguish is already at the brim;
what more can IL be, twenty years hence7
down, when all the hopes and aspirations
OF blooming youth had Iatrly been presented
by nature, am doomed to drag out mis-
erabla existence as a convict, there to be-
wall the scenes Of nay childhood till the
meridian of life is past, then to be thrown
out on a cold, friendless and sin-stricken
world, united firmly with "age and want,
Yes, il is want and the dread OF want, that
gives to time its swiftest wings; while the
brings WEAKNESS or lass'tude. am but IN
unfortunate human being, It's true, but /
had hoped that this cup might be permitted
| To pass, that | could once more enter life
benefited by experience, but, alas! am no
exception; and can only say mot my will
4 but thine be done"
| But friends, remember we are "of few
| days and full Of trouble" and to man
beyond the years of middle age, the flight OF
| time becomes a matter of increasing i'm
portance, Year by year the sslengthening
/ chain" grows shorter, till soon we are hurl-
| ed into an endless eternity, our years are
| song: the rise and fall Of Empires: the birth
| and death of man. Though here is dis
/ GRACEFUL adversely, IL was and Is still my
| cherished wish TO rise and pass away, re-
| spected by my fellow man.
! Now, whether am beyond the pale of re-
| demptiOn, or not, Is n question pray erfully
! submit to your consideration. My grew
/ ances and claims to your favor will cease tC
be known, SO soon as the grating doors o.
! why? because being child of unfortunat {
/ circumstances, l have no long list of i'll us.
| trious relatives to plead my cause, while
those who have thus plunged and stepeC
/ me into misery and disgrace, can continu(
their work of alienation without voice o
| refutation.
matters eHecting my lasting happiness. bu
i felt that could rise on my own merits
! and now, that am the victim OF my owl
folly, let me ask tor the sake OF thar aged
/ angel, "who taught me at her Knee, tina
| you pass upon that error silent oblivion
| and when, by prayer, and good works,
am restored To liberty, then will strive tc
prove the salutary lesson taught by bite
! experience.
That am a gayYard, erring sinner,
WALL neither attempt to palliate nor deny
but remember friends, it's human, apd
| prayerfully ask forgiven esS.
If, from among my vices, YOU dicover
few redeeming principles, let Inc beSeecl
, ( you, not to let the silent wheels of tim
o5iiter rate , 5hsn f bH y69F memory; and
fruits OF my prodigality, when have don
! penance in proportion to my guilt, or wfel
! viii ask, in the language, and in the spIri
, OF Joseph, ofcldi Hthat hen IT shall be we
| with thee, rememh her me-" And ! prpmis
ON my part never to disgrace your favor.
, Your unfortunate friend,
EUGENE E. GORpos