New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-07-25
NEW ORLEANS REPUBL1CKN SUNDAY JULY % 1870

sometimes contents itself with the lynchine
character. But whatever its form, it is al!
ways relentless, pitiless, cruel.
As proofs of my guilt one after another
came to light, low mutterings gradually
grew into q clamor of vengeance. and but
had me in charged would doubtless have
paid the penalty for my supposed otfense
on the spot.
1t wasnot sympathy for ME that actuated
nv protector. His heart was az hard as his
Office; but he represented the majesty OF
the law, and took sort of grim pride in the
position.
As much under the glance of his eve as
before the mrzzle of his pistol, the COW
ardly clamorers drew back. Perhaps they
were not sufficiently numerous to feel the
full effect Of that mysterious reflex intlu-
ence which makes crowd of men so much
worse, and at times go much better, than
any one Of them singly.
At the end OF como months my trial
came. 1t could have but one result. Cir
cumstances too plainly declared my guilt.
/ alone knew they lied.
The absence Of the jury vas brief. To
their verdict paid out little heed. 1t
vas a single hideous word; but l had
long anticipated it, and it made no i'm
preston.
As little impression was made by the
words Of the Judge which followed it. and
his solemn invocation that God might have
that mercy upon me which man was too
just to vouchsafe, sounded like the hollowest
Of hollow mOckeries.
1t may be hard for the condemned GRIM
inal to meet death; it is still harder for him
who is innocent. The one, when che first
shock is over, acquiesces in his doom, ami
gives himself to repentance; the heart Of
the other, filled with rebellion against man s
injustice, can hardly bring itself to ask
pardon Of God.
had gradually overcome this feeling, in
spite of the good clergyman's irritating
efforts, which were mainly directed tow ard
extracting confession. without which he
assured me he had no hope to offer.
On the morning Of the day fixed for exc
cution felt immeaslrabiy resigned. had
SO long stood face TO face with death: had
SO accustomed myself to look upon it as .
merely momentary pang, that ne longer
felt solicitOus, save that my memory should
one day be vindcated
She for whom had gone to prepare a
home had already found one in heaven. The
tidings OF my calamity had broken her
heart. She alone OF all the world believed
me innocent, and she had died with q
prayer upon her lips that the truth might
yet be brought TO light.
All this had heard, and it had soothed
as with sweet incense my troubled spirit.
Death, however unwelcOme in shape, was
now portal, beyond which could see one
waiting to receive ne.
heard the sound Of approaching foot
steps, and nerved myself to the expected
summons. The door Of my cell opened,
and tho sheriff and his attendants entered.
He had in his hand paper. Ii was doubt
less my death warrant. He began to read
it. MY thoughts were busted elsewhere
The words ''full and free pardon" were
They affected the bystanders more than
an offense had never committed.
The real culprit, it is needless to say, was
no other than he who had sought and
abused my hospitality. He had been NOR
tally wounded in recent affair IN distant
city, but had lived long enough to make .
disclosure, which had been laid before the
Governor barely In time to save me from a
shameful death, and condemn me to a
cheerless and burdensome life.
This is my experience. My judgment, as
yours in the case before US, leads to but one
conclusion, that of the prisoners guilt; but
not less confident and apparently unerring
was the judgment that falsely produced my
own conviction.
We no longer importuned our fellow
juror, but patiently awaited our discharge
on the ground Of inability to agree, which
came at last.
The prisoner was tried and convicted at a
subseauene term, and at the last moment
confessed his crime on the scaffold.