Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-31
COMMUNICATED.
Can't. Vim. HI. FOWIe.

Capt. m. ii. FOWle.
[ cannot believe that the sentiment express
ed in the card lately published 10 the Gazette,
and signed "Voter," is the opinion of any but
a small minority of our people. | cannot believe
that a majority of the citizens of Alexandria
cao wish, by their public action, to stamp with
lifelong disgrace a deed more the result Of
misfortune than of criminality.
What are the facts of the case On New
Years day the sad story begins, and here, with.
out going further, society may take a lesson to
itself, and find, in approprialing the moral, that
its victim is not wholly to blame. Of one We
are now speaking. Frequent visits at hosplta-
BILE homes in the gay Capital that day. and
many a glass, ~profered with ~aIluring glances by
the fair, geotle haods, led to the last mourniul
sequel. Much wine was drank, and the pota-
tons we're of so varied a nature, and so gradu-
ally taken, and the circumstances Of so Attractive
aud alluring a nature, that almost without
warning reason and judgment were lost in the
deadly spell of iDtoxication. Then With throb-
blDg pulse, and wild with excitement, he found
himself at the gaming table. A conspiracy
planned with devilish cunning, and executed
with deliberate system, was brought to bear
on him as on one known 10 have public funds
at bis command. They piled him with drink,
they wcaved the web around him, they CO.
couraged him to higher stakes, and so secured
their victim. With 20 friend near him, 20
plying, warning voice raised 10 his behalf,
Gods voice, his own conscience, long since
| drowned 10 the delirium Of his own brain, he
played the last stake Of money, not his own,
and stalking all upon the hazard Of the die,
lost He himself says, on looking back, be
remembers nothing Of the occurraaces, save
that it seemed a horrible dream 10 haunt his
waking hours. Of the grief, the terrible night
mare of remorSe, it we're best perhaps not to
speak, save Is they appeal TO the kindness
ADD w"arcIfui judgment Of every mans heart
who knows the victim. Another statement
due the gentleman 10 question every dollar
OF trust fluids lost by hin will be restored by
| friends, who believe him worthy of their future
confidence, SO that O0ne will eventually be the
loser.
Aud DOW the question arises, snal a further
brand be put on the un!ortunate atfl!r ? Is it
past all forgiveness? Ia view of ali the cir
cumstances, when the chief blame falls heavily
on others. is there 10 be no sympathy, no help
from his friends Day, more, Is 1t imperative
that against this young mau every future office
of trust, every private enterprise, should be
effectually and forever closed, and that stamp
ed with a public disgrace, With L brand worse
than Cain, 10 the eyes OF the world, upon his
brow, his future should be doomed to a uispair,
from which a mercliul death eau Only free him.
VINO of US all have led blamelesS lives? Who
of us have never fallen into a temptation that OBJ
scures the judgment and enthralls The senses?
Most of uS carry some $40 branded 10 our hearts
and scared 10 our memory, that We hide from
the world, aud that others little dream of. 1t
was Edgar .Ailau Poe who once said that %
man living could be brave enough to write 10 a
book all his actions; that the Very leaves would
shrlvel up were he TO dare to do it. Are We not
then capable OF casting the mantle of charity
over the whole uolortuDatc affair; OF being able,
as a people, to take up a siu, 10 which the
heart did not consent, and freely cond)ne i?
Napoleon found a sentinel asleep on bis post;
the whole army was imperiled. and the OF
fence was deaM. But the great General took
his place auu Kept watch and ward that night,
and generously torgave him. And Napoleon
knew human nature well; the map "overtakeu
10 his fault, through Weakness Of the flesh,
r~etrieyes his one false step and rises high in
rank.
The nam proposed to disgrace is one that
has stood high always 10 our town; from grand
father 10 father, it has been handed down in
houor. The SOD, through his past career, has
done no less; as a soldier he risked his life free
ly 90 every battle field, and bares many honor.
able scars on his frame. As a citizen we
honored him with appointments OF trust. be-
cause OF his Weli.known character for truth and
problty. Surely there is but one thing we wish
10 do to continue the trust as not yet forfeit
ed, and through our voice, 10 show that lie is
not yet ended, but opens to higher motives and
nobler aims.
A great and good writer once beautifully
said God has given to man the power to
"absolve his brother, and to resolve him to
~"himself. Even the mercitulness of one good
man sounds like a voice OF pardon from hcav.
zen; just as the power and exclusion Of men
Sound like a knell OF hopelessness and bind
"thc sin upon the SOUL"
10 simple justice then, let US stand by our
fellow towusman, and representative, and by
our silence aud forcbearauce, say This is
not a crime that is INCAPABLE" We can forgive
the weakness and trust TO the future to make
iul aIouemept iOt dill. LII the play OF measure
for Measure, Shakespeare makes Isabella re-
peat this noble sentiment:
How would you be
If He that were on top Of judgement, should
Judge you as you are?
1t would, | believe, be better in every way
to bury the whole sad matter 10 the gulf Of
oblivion. To err is human, and to incline to a
l~enient policy, will compromise Dor il jurc no
one. CHAssEUR.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Jan. 81. 1875.