The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-02-14
RUM THElDEGRADER

n a VI 4 ~ r II L
From the Baltimore Sun.
In the Criminal Court of Baltimore,
tieorge Barton was placed In tile prisoners
dock ON trial for the theft Ut pair Of
troasers, valued at $3.50, from Joseph
Brenner. He had been arrested wilhelm
toxicated. and the pantaloons, with
Brenner's card on them. being found IN
his possession, Brenner was sent for. He
had not sold them To Carton, whom he
had never seen before. and Barton being
unable TO account for the property, he
was presented for the larceny. On being
asked by Judge Brown whether he hal
any thing to say. the prisoner addressed d
the court us FOL lows:
This Is most painful position for me.
yoB Honor. 20 stand beforea court of JUS
tice charged with an act SO degrading M
theft. As little as any one did once
think ever 10 be 80 shamed. For only
four years ago was an hnnorrd member
Of a bar not tundistnguished for ability In
another Slate. How have fallen, this
degradation Indicating by gesture his
posiiionland these rags lhol,ling out his
arms viii saow. They are the effects of
intemperance. well know intoxication
is 90 excuse Ia law for crime. But the
essence ofcrininaliiy in the intent. l
am totally oblivious IN regard to this act
l kiaw not when nor whore nor hy whom
l was arrested. Could have intended,
then, Ito do the act IL courts are in
slitnted not alone TO find out the truth
and Ia punish the guilty, but 10 amend
and restrain, they must leave narrow
rules and advance 10 broader principles;
the spirit Of the law rather than its letter
must 5e their animating principle. II
this cour. is administered in that spirit I
may again he permitted 10 enter those
fields of exertion and enterprise where !
may reclothe aIyself with the homo. and
respect Of my fellow u Ell, for whatever
may I've the rnd of this matter, Ihave
resolved never again 10 degrade my man
hood 10y intoxicaiion. Ia this presence |
repeat and renew tile pledge Of reform I
had made 10 myself. Twill devote my
nanliood and my old age 10 winning
again ths honor, respect, love. friends, and
position o.ice held. will pursue again
the paths aud the STEPS that leadto good
rspuie and hapl,iucss.
.,s.s'.., $50, ,n... ,..a.. ca.a;..,,'...
ul'e'o"s '' s''o''e''
'eahs ~, n'p''s 'so"s 49, os e.
Shame anu rum o. am,srssis nope y
reHao'h'a.'hg hie W'hoe ~ WIN. me
braho VIII oe on me livery avenue o
honest INDUSTRY wiz pe cioseu 70 me.
Nowhere can escape the stigma. III
take the wings OF the morning iiy to the
ullermast parts Of lie earth. IL will follow
me. IL for a brief space secure In ol,.
-euri,y IL will still hang over Ine like The
sword Of Damoclrs over my head. All!
how hungry the world Is to catch up the
evil rr,aris that blacken mems names. I
ask not for pity. but only that a way may
lnvain l,e opsued for n mans restoration ia
ssIf r..n.,.i friends and a home one.
,.,ar. y
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