Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-05-05
EoindeXter's AddreS =.


Pond, xte7, convicted Of voluntary NAL
s|augh cr, 10 killing Charles G. Curtis, deliver =
cd before the HustiD2s Court, Of the CITY Of
Richmond, appeared 10 Saturdays Gsz=rc.
The Clc,k ha.iog told the p.isoncr % starr
up, and he hal.Dg arisen, in answer TO the
question if be bad anything 10 ssy Why seotcrce
Should not be pronounced, Poiudexter read the
following:
MAY it please your homer. if bowed my
head 10 this sentence and did not protest against
the /, justice OF the VerVIct-s verdict which
i ratified by this crmmualty, makes me- the
FIST vu'u OF revolu,loi 10 the rra'iit!o3ai
sentiment Of my native State, that ha, educated
me 10 cvc that the defence of woman is unc
Of the fist iules a man owes to himself AID
suciety-l should be false to myself-fase tv
every feeling lhst goes TO form the strongest con
vlct!un of innucerce IL my own breast.
mo ooe more deeply dep'ores this SAD and
most unhappy tragedy add the unfortusalc cl.
cumsapces hat led thereto than Oyselt.
My feelings will DOT permit me now, nor
have the strength, bowed down with sorrow
fence of my course.
81 do not claim to be fsutles" am but hu
man, aud moved by those passions with which
God 10 Hi judgment has seen fl. 10 fill the
souls of m-D.
"As to the charge that was moved by malice
in tsk!ng the lie Of the deceased, do, 10 the
name II Heaven, again plead NOT GU'EY Let
me say it in the fear Il God aud as l Vaiue my
souls saIv'iou, had 90 desire or wish TO take
his iti.; aud every feeling which | may have
had Was crowded from my mind by the all.
abscrbiop thought that my life was at stalk,
AID the Gud given law Of self defence alone
Controlled my sctions.
"Wiingly and gladly would | give half my
days to returu u his sorrowlng sister and
trends tie life which hes on my hands, aud
raise irom their heart the gritt that no esa
opprrsscs mlGe.
81 will say nothing against apy one. l sim
ply ask that charity may be extended to me aud
others which | so willingly accord to all.
II, i, DOT enough, your Honor, that The very
f6uudatian of my life will ever be slowly tretted
away by this docp sorrow that must accompany
Mt even TO my grave. This chsslsemeot is
surely sufficient, the bitterness vf which 20
heart can know but my owo.
81 do not conplaiu Of the number Of years
contained in this verdict. Sir, TWO arc as good
as twenty. Suffice it to say # this verdict is
every carried into effect, the sentence you are
about 20 PRONOUNCE il dath sentence that
crushes OUT of my life all hnpo. all happiness,
and Only leaves me what mau' ) law caunOt take
from me-
II tee! no sense Of guilt or disgrace, but carry
this verdict into execution, and, with my
IA ure and the thought Of those lovrd
oues who are so dear to NJ, should be utterly
crushed.
10 closing thank your Honor ION my hort
for your slocers aod feeling expressions OF
sympathy
10 the beginning Poindcx,er read 10 firm
and distinct voice, which could be easily h. ard
10 all parts OF the court room. When he got
to lhc sentcncc, II do, 10 the name o! Heaven,
agalu plead NOT GUILTY" his voice rang out
10 clear, strong, and emphatic tones There
was pathos in uttering, GLADLY would | give
halt my days" aod Il ask th't charity may be
extended to me and others. But when he
came TO sprsk Of the heavoess of the chasliso
ment his woldl began TO choke IN his throat
and DC Was greatly agltated, aud II was only by
effort that he YVES ablo to pro-
c,ed. As it was, few words we're stiff in
utterarcc.
This paper was prepared by the prisoner with
OUT any help from COUNSEL.
Hats ard GanQS we're placcn before many
faces ss he prisoner closed aud stood with head
bow"d, awaiting the sentence.
judge Chr s,lap-bIs Voice husky-5aid !:
"Mr. PviGd. x;or-In lifr somewhat CD, quer
cd, aud cer!ainty oue enUrcd 20 experiences OF
sorrsw aud suf: riny, eau truly say that have
ncv>r beeu called uon to perform ssdder duty
tan that whiuh The law new imposes on me ss
The Judge of this court, God rant that the
deep waters" Of sorrow through which you
have been c,!lod 10 pass may ye, 10 the nysteri
ous ways Of Providence rebound to your tenn
pnral aud eternal welfare, aud al the same
lime deter others from incurrpp the terrible |
lot that has overtakeu you, and, l fear, blight |
I'd young iife on which were reasonably |
f9uottd so many hopes ct happiness and use
'ulness. The judgment OF the Court is thai
sou sh II be taken TO the pepItcniary by the |
Sergeant of this city, and there cobdntd for |
wo years-tbe period by the jurors in their |
7eIdct asccr,ained, aud Treated 10 the mode |
prescribed By lsw.
The prisoner tc)k his scat.
The execution of the scu,encc vas su pended |
1ntll Angus. 10th. The Supreme Court meets |
1t WylheyiIlc July 10th.