The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-08

oei'ioe Whatever, costing an immense amount OF
money and rendering no good whatever. Let
every criminal go free without trial. as every trial
In our courts nowadays Is only farce and let our
community protect itself and we win soon be clear
OF assassins, highway robbers, burglars &C.. and
what Is still greater blessing. OF corrupt Judges
and ohicia.s Let every honest, upright citizen
arm himself with good six shooter and protect
himself and our community from a too impudent
class Of criminals and officials. ONE FOR MANY.
Governor Dix Memoriaiized I'm Behalf of
the Law Abiding Citizens OF New York.
Justice Against Ma udlin Sentimcntal-
Ism and Oblique-visioned Charity.
NEW YORK. March 8, 1873.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
respectfully request and bespeak space for
the following. The HERALD is apparently the only
unbiased impartial and independent newspaper
now left in the city, and trust you will not refuse
my request-
Your Excellency mas accorded full hearing to
Fosters friends and defenders, and the writer hopes
Will also be heard. II Foster had killed Mr. Put
nam on the ''spur OF the moment" there would be
was fully premeditated. But he followed his VIC
tim for several blocks, and after abund-
ance OF time for drunken passion to subside or
get under control we find the murderOus instinct
and bloody determination unchanged, and the
blow is struck in a calculated and fully resolved
r0ughs are knows also that Foster, despite his
statement to the contrary did mean to kill Mr..
Putnam. Fosters heightened friends, and
especially Mr.. Evarts, who claims TO be the eX-
ponent OF public sentiment in recommending tins
murder to gentle mercy, should have ne more
voice In this matter than ordinary honest citizens.
justice.
If Your EXcellency commutes the sentence of
death 1t win be on technical grounds, or from pity,
or both. Now, you have been q soldier and would
You in times OF war be persistently scrupuleus
Would you not refuse TO temper justice with mercy
II the safety OF the country, OF the nation. were
Just then trembling in the balanceS
York, feel like unto being in state OF war.
''Shames and crimesr beyond precedent in number
are making havoc In our midst and we need pro-
lection. II changing were not played Out' half OF
the victims OF late murders would now be living
among us, and while you listen to Fosters friends
we call upon you to listen also to and to think
Of those who travel the city by night, relying upon
! the government to protect them from the terrible
.'rough' element We appeal to you for the pro-
| lection we need.
| If Your EXcellency does pardon this man the act
| Will now look like sweet mercy and not to be re-
fused by you; but after while, when the reign OF
terror and bloodshed will continue in our unhappy
city, this act of mercy VIII appear as an unwarrant
able act OF weakness-an error worse than crime
II things continue as at present the people will
| either sink into apathetc liberation OF crime or
else rise up and seek refuge in vigilance COM
mttee. We have in this State an inefficient and
superannuated penal CODE the laws OF exceptions;
stays and appeals are corrupted by wrong usages,
! and our Jury law, by which one weak man In
twelve can save a murderer, is monstrOus alb
clogs on the wheels of justice, this man Foster has
| been convicted. He was convicted by twelve hon
| est men, as honest as you are The Recommended
| ton to mercy was a matter OF compromise on the
part OF the upright and firm jurors to obtain ver
dict. The verdict might have been murder in the
| second degree tat the second triaD, but it was
| not. The recommendation to mercy Is not an evil
| dence of Fosters innocence; on the contrary,
it is gratifying and wonderful that the verdict
could be obtained UNANIMOUSLY at so cheap price
as the appendage of this recommendation. Will
| Your Excellency remember that there are thou
| nf mar in NaW Nv IN
shed blood and restrained only by that fear OF the
| law which is fast and entirely disappearance The
| law has spoken. Yours is the province OF mercy.
| Show 1t then to the victims, the weak the unprO.
| tected, not to the murderous culprts. We ask Tor
Executive Justice; we predict terrible increase OF
crime If that justice is not done. We consider the
appeals for mercy made to you as acts OF Christian
charity on the parts OF some, but OF only the desire
for notorety on the part OF Others especially the
| lawyers and we beg and entreat your eXceency to
stand firm by the people and not do an action which
now has the hue OF charity, but which will grow In
| its consequences into an ugly brand upon your
| name, your memory and your high office. l.. L.,
| And 203 other citizens OF New York