The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-25
Whe Sentfnel.
TUESDAY. AUGUST Is.
The Harding Tragedy.

mornings Sentinel No Occurrences mas go
thrilled the community for years, and GER
tainly no nlore painful duty has ever de-
volved upon the journalists of Indianapolis
than the task OF recording the death of Flora
Harding and the revenge taken by her
father for her ruin. In the few words OF Cd
itorial comment which 1t will be necessary
20 make on this tragedy, no par
tieular description of the actors IN
The drama is necessary. George Harding
IS we'll known throughout the West IS one
of the most brilliant members of the edi-
torial profession, and yet man who has
never accomplished a 1.-THE of whst lay
within the scope of bis abilities-personaliy
apecuiisr and powerful man partial and per
sistert In his friendships, inveterate il his
hstreds-professionally a reckless cJ mic.
His daughter was Just the kind of girl that
such father is apt to idolize-beautiful in
person. remarkable for accomplishments,
and possessing foil share of hereditary tall
enL Moritz is somewhat notorious az
a convivisl young fellow Of easy
morals, devoted much 10 pleas
ure 80 to business, with wife
psnsity for sdmiring all other mems wives.
The Intimacy between him and Harding was
natural enough. He probably ccnrted the
notoriety which belonged TO a contributor TO
the Sunday Herald and to the companion Of
i;s editor. While Harding found Moriiz an
agreeable companion, too pliable and sub
ssTvient to be perfectly trustworthy, and
vet very convenient kind of every day
friend. 1t Is not so easy to understand how
Mise Harding, a young lady occupying
responsible position and endowed with
great independence of character. could have
been led to the folly of permitting the
addresses Of a married man, or indeed dis
honorable addresses of any kind. The sc-
count given OF her seduction and the subse-
auent endsavors Of the seducer 10 conceal his
own responsibility by degrading the unfor-
tunate girl into the position of mistressfor his
companions, tells of one of the most devilish
pieces OF evil ingenuity ever practiced. 1t
seems more ike the dream of some diseased
than a reality. For the credit of
humanity one could wish that the protesta-
lions of innocence made by Moritz were
true. The confession of his victim, however,
must be esteemed as final in the
her father, at least, it must be
that no doubt of the villainy
Of Moritz could have crossed his mind,
ance he had the accusation against him |
rom the lips of his daughter, when. after |
her confession, be exchanged forgiveness |
with her on Wednesday evening. That con- |
Tession must have gone homo to his heart |
Ike knife. There is, perhaps, no relation |
n life so delicate, so peculiar, SO sacred, |
X that between father and daughter. There
s tenderness and a sympathy in such |
bond that do not exist even in the love for /
wife or son 7; and when man sees the girl |
who has for years been his pet-wbo /
has grown up to womanhood almost,
under his eyes-ruined by |
he temptations of false friend, bis sorrow
comes near to utter despair in supreme JUS
Toe and disgust with all human irailty. !
Even under such circumstances there is only /
,ue thing for a father to do, and that is rein
.tate his child in her place in his affections,
Ind that very act implies the condemnation
If her seducer. So far as the evidence goes
{ you'd seem that George Harding had |
orEaed no purpose of revenge |
lfter learning of his daughters ruin.
Neither did he, after becoming
aware that she had poisoned herself, unwil-
ing to survive her disgrace, set out to seek
Ter betrayer. he appears to have borne
1imself coolly and CONSIDERABLY all through
morning, and proceeded down
own 10 his Office when he supposed her out
" danger. IL YVES only after his recall to
ind her dying, that, while seeking for
lhysician, he came face to face with the
nan who hsd brought such dishonor upon
lin. Is was a situation to rouse the latent
ievil 10 any mans nature, and the cynical
who bad made q jest of all serious
lspects OF life year after year. who had
,necred at, mans faith and laughed at
virtue, let the cloak fall from him
md stepped forth in savage and determined
The careless salutation with
Fhich he was greeted touched him
o the quick and with a sudden impulse
ie transgressed both divine and human
sw and took vengeance into his own
lsnds That he has done wrong, all thought
nj men must acknowledge, but it must be
confessed that his provocaiion was ter
IDLE. He has put his life in jeopardy and
$ doubtless willing to abide by
he east of the die. With the precedeuts
established by the Sickles, Cole, and Nc
Fsrland cases, and with the public senti-
nent ofthe community setting in sympathy
With the father, as 1t did yesterday, it is
,robatls that he will suffer no punishment
or bis crime in any event. However, men
With an innate reverence for law may re-
ret this state of things, they cannot now
rope to effect q change. The. American
mind seems inclined in these cases to accept
hat species of wild justice called revenge,
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