St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-02-07

ner that is certainly childlike and guile
less. As we said last week, DR.. Stokes
himself has repeatedly and openly
boasted of bis crimes, and has never
claimed the ''presumptiOn of Innocence"
that his champion now invokes for him.
The talk about twisting him in prls-
on,n and ''Christ being the Precipitation
for Stokes sins as well as for yours and
mine,n is, under the circumstances and
connection in which those phrases are
used, mere pettifogging. No one has
made any objection to any religious
efforts that have been made in behalf
of DR.. Stokes. No one wishes either to
make such objection, or in any way to
discourage such efforts. But what con-
nection have such efforts with letting
him out to escape? If he has made his
peace with his Creator, is that a reason
why he should not meet the penalty OF
the laws for his offences ? John T.
Phair and Asa Magoon both profess
now to be sincere Christians, (and we
are expressing no doubts of their sin
certify, but is that fact any reason why
they should not be hung for the muir
ders that they have committed They
cannot be bailed out but would the
Rev. Mr.. Austin be in favor of rescuing
them some other way because they are
..disciples of Christ ?" The best way to
..reform" men who are guilty of heinous
offences is not to let them out of con-
tinement on the first profession of bet
ter things, but to point them to better
life, and at the same time teach them to
confess their wickedness, and meet with
Christian submission the punishment
that society, for its own security, must
inf1ict upon them. The two ways have
been well illustrated in our own county
recently. Whitney, the bigamist, pro-
fessed Christian repentance, said he
telt that he ought to be punished. entered
Il plea of guilty, and took his sentence.
Stokes, protesting the same thing, fights
bitterly, and calls upon Reverend Mr..
Austin to help him to get out. A sin
ner may be penitent, Il merciful God
may forgive, but that is IA matter be-
tween man and his Creator. 1t is I'M
lignified, and unworthy of the sacred
ness of religion, to attempt to connect
that repentance and forgiveness with
the efforts of the sinner to escape the
Just consequences of his sins against his
fellow men. Pity Dr.. Stokes and his
family, aid him in any seeking for a
better life ; but do not, under pretence
of so doing, encourage crime and aid in
defeating justice. He can ''show his
sincerity" as well where he is, as he
can anywhere else. Sincerity" does
not depend upon prison walls. Buhyan
was as good IL Christian i'll jail us out.
The truth is, gushing or smashing
men may think that profession of re
ligion is Il sufficient answer to long
career of crime, dangerous to society,
and ruinous to health and human life.
But every day experience shows that re-
form of wicked men is far more certain
and permanent, if they meet the con-
sequences of their violation of the
law, than if they escape. But, added
to this, is the necessary protection of
society and the effect of example. To
effect this thorough reform, and this
protection of society, public officials
need the aid and encouragement OF all
good citizens. including the Rev. Mr..
The concluding portion of the letter,
where he speaks of not being Il coward
or craven SATELLITE, afraid of my slight
shadow" seems to be display of cour-
age uncalled for by any of the facts of
the case.