The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-04-18

could do no other than m%anfully stand
mp and repel the base assaults of fmy
prosecutors with such weapons rs sthe
saw fit 10 place within my
and IN doing so ! have acted
from a sense of duty to God. who
gave me life TO enjoy In common with
my fellow men SO long az l obeyed his
commandment, the violation of
which would alone forfeit my right of
life under both human and divine law.
When my claims were again presented
in the Legislature my enemies again ac-
cused me of an attempt to secure O
Communication of my sentence TO impris-
onment for life, which was false. did
not appeal 10 that honorable body for
either a Communication of sentence, SYM
pathy, or mercy, but for strict justice;
aud these were my express instructions
to my counsel at the time. Ifthey ask
ed for more they were probably led to
do SO by the temper of the Assembly,
which had, in a great degree, become
sullen over the persistent efforts of
friends who were ~endeavoring to get
the sentence of every condemned MAI
in the state prison committed to impris-
onment for life. My enemies have
written many cowardly anonymous
communications to the Burlington Free
Press, Rutland Herald and the New
Sun, all of which were calculated to
blacken my name and character, and to
exclude all possible doubt of my guilt.
Before closing / wish to acknowledge
my sincere gratitude TO all persons who
have, by either word or deed, done
what they could toward securing me a
new trial and justice. These friends
are so numerous that time and space
forbids my mentioning in this article
only those who have taken the most
prominent parts in my defence.
Among them my heartfelt THANKS are
especially due to Hon. ID. f. Nicholson,
Col. w. G.. Veazey AND James G. Bar
rett, Esq, of Rutland, Hon. G. b. Eddy,
of Bellows Falls, and s. w. Mccall,
Esq, of Boston, my counsel, Col,
Charles IL. Taylor and +. p. Curren,
Esq, of the Boston Globe, and Mr.. f.
G. Carrigan, formerly of the Globe,
but now of the Boston Journal.
Mr.. Carrigan has, from the time OF
my first reprieve, proven himself an
earnest advocate of my cause as well as
a warm and faithful friend. An owr
brother could have been no more earnest
than he has been in all legal efforts &c
secure me justice. His failure in this
in no way lessons my great obligation
to him, and L feel that no lover of the
cause of justice and humanity can helr
respecting the honorable and fearless
position, from the first, taken by him
and faithfully sustained until the last.
| SA far No I l,aaxr ha hoe Ioo~ - Lo--.l
faithful friend to me in my misfortune
and l regret my inability to make hin
some satisfactory return for services
rendered me-. MY thanks are also due
TO the humane prison directors, super
intendent and their subordinate officers
of 1877 and '78 for kindness received a
their hands at all times during their adj
ministration under Gov. Fairbanks
The present Superintendent, Mr.. Rice
and his subordinate officers are also EN-.
titled to my sincere thanks for respec'
and kindness which they have shown
me. 1 feel that | have faithfully dis.
charged my highest duty to God and
my fellow men under all the circum
stances which have attended my pain
full misfortune, and therefore am in nt
way responsible to my Maker for tn,
loss of my life. 1 have at las
spoken plainly because the occasion
and truth demand that l should.
have always said, and will finally say
that l never harmed the unfortunate
Anna E. Freeze, of whose death | ali
unjustly accused, by either word o
deed, in her lifetime. Neither have
appropriated to myself, or for any per
son whom oever, one pins worth O
property, jewels, or any article what
soever belonging to the poor woman
| have, in common with other Young
as well as some old-men, made mis-
takes in life for which l have sought an,
obtained forgiveness at the time. But
thanks be to God, the mistake of takiD,
a human life, or ave attempting such
thing, is not among them, as my fina
Judge a attest. No man could hav
been nor wrongfully accused In thi
respect than L have been by o certain
ring who were bent OH my destruction
r1ght or scrong, and they have succeed
ed, but by what means the Suprem
Judge of all shall decide. In the moan
time freely forgive all my enemie
yes, ever the very worst of them-an,
if have ever wronged, any person il
my lifetimewhose forgiveness / have no
already asked and obtained, | now asl
it in all sincerity. All hopes of humai
justice are exhausted, and death is inev
liable.
(Signed) JOHN =. PHAIR.
Windsor Prison, April 10, 1879.