The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-15

An Opinion from the Religion. Pres.


An Opinion from the Religious Press.
From the Church and state tEpiscspalianJ
March l2l
As the result OF the whole discussion, we cannot
resist the conclusion That Foster WAS not legally
convicted and cannot he legally hung. II we are
pointed to the decision OF the Court or Appeals we
have only to say that IL does not appear that this
Court has ever passed upon the prOprety OF the
verdict OF the lower Court hut that 1t simply
passed upon exceptions taken ny the counsel for
In what We have said, we are moved by no pity
t1r Tue Gohsemned, other than that which every
so grievousy sinned and is meeting 80 ter
rible q punishment II we believed he could
De legally executed, no word OF ours should
no facts in his behalf except those which
bear directly upon the character OF the act which
punishment and no sentimental philanthropy in
regard to criminals. But we hold it to be or the
never be innicted except in the strctest accord
ance with law. and where the infection carries
with 1t the best moral sense OF the community.
Some OF the papers have taken great umbrage at
the TACT that certain clergymen have expressed
their views in favor Of the Communication OF this
troubled by this, but will have the manilness to
hold and utter their convictions On all subjects
which SO vitality afect the moral welfare OF the
world when they do not dare to set public senti-
ment at defiance, If necessary In the maintenance
OF what they believe to be true and right.
We take no exception TO anything in the form OF
argument or earnest appeal on the part OF those
who believe that the penalty OF death should be
inflicted in this particular case. They have per-
feet right TO the expression OF their opinions, and
their arguments and appeals Should receive all
the consideration to which they are entitled.
But when they affirm that a great pressure
clergy and the press, and that thousands
and thousands OF dollars have been expended, II
they mean to intimate that the clergymen who
have exercised In this respect the right OF every
citizen have been Influenced by any corrupt mo-
tive, we pronounce 1t TO be lalse AS for the press
We can speak only for ourselves, and we
do SO only lest our silence in this respect
should rob what we have said Of any
influence 1t might otherwise possess. We
wish, then to declare In the most solemn manner,
that we have never been subjected to the slightest
pressure 10 express our views on this subject, that
we have received nothing but the thanks Of those
cipients OF abusive anonymous letters aud at
tempted intimdations from those who are opposed
to the position we have taken.
The discussion OF this subject cannot fall to do
good after the excitement by which 1t has been at
tended has subsidized 1t has been an education Of
the community In the great principles which
apply to the administration OF Justice
an education apparently much needed. The
Governor, who has responsibility In this
respect from which any might
shrink will discharge his duty after
the most thorough and conscientious investiga-
ton. Our purpose Is accomplished by the vindica-
ton OF the right and prOpriety oil review Of the
whole proceeding with reference to the exercise OF
every citizen enjoys OF expressing his opinion in
matters OF public interest and petitiOning the con-
stituted authorities in regard to them, should he
fit TO DO so.