The New York herald., 1879-12-01
IHE POET MURDERER.
Specimen Of Verse by Andrew Tracy, Con-
dsnnai 70 Be Hanged
INSTABILITY OF PUBLIC OPINION.
An Argument in Favor OF the Morbid
Impulse Theory.



ana mental soundness. who struggled for years
against growing impulse to evil is to be hanged
give Smethport holiday, "None so blind as those
who Will not see few stubborn as those who
prate OF justice. In the horror of this mans act
men of sense have forgotten themselves. 1t
is strange fact that many who signed
the petitions to the Board OF Pardons
for mercy to Andrew Tracy the young lawyer
who shot his cousin and sweetheart) should to-day
be loud in clamorng for his DEATH Seeking for
reason carefully find only two and well do they
explain the tickle nature OF the human mind.
portion OF the converts have experienced the change
heart since the 18th inst learning that politi-
cal body which assumes judicial functions entirely
hey ond its comprehension and gravity had refused
to receive their prayer. Because this anomalous
Board Pardons had virtually declared that lifelong
association with the condemned man of
count in the estimation of his character. and the
people of Smethport accept rebuke and blindly join
in the cry blood. Simple contradiction to such
do not think for themselves is conversion. Be-
cause no earthly power now stands between Tracy
apd the Almighty his earthly friends have vanished
like the dew
TRAcY's JUSTIFICATION.
But there is graver. more serious accusation
brought against the condemned man. In the face of
death, after end has come to hope. when he finds
that his distemper is not recognized by law and
sneered at by justice, Andrew Tracy has written
poetry 1t matters not that failing to get hear.
ing from man. he has made his defence before God
in Poetry" associated in the mind
OF the country pumpkin with Mother Goose and
psalm tunes inexcusable; 1t is as much IN dis
to come The learned members OF the Board OF Par
dons whom have heard speak about the case have
he be ns
from their mods and words is problem.
does not matter when ones mind is made
up. Tracy writes verse. and is therefore not in-
That just about the popular verdict amounts
to! have decided to allow Andrew Tracy to state
his in the remarkable specimen OF blank
which he has written since his final conviction,
and without further comment conclude this letter
with it, The theory OF the work would appear to be
that. knowing little do Of God. it is not
surprising that tail to understand the human
heart and the impulses of the MIND
THE INvocATIoS.l
TO the drcar SCENES within his prison walls;
s .os ss has % It. s
Eternal Father. source Of light and truth
% sss @ w p ,s and osoysS %te ySf feel
Il thus aloft and lose itself
By Thee inspired; to feel thou doss scorn
Maker Ms "nd Eopa ali created slns
THY glory fills my soul with wondermentl
Wisdom and Justice majesty I ysx and
And al Thy attributes are infinite se
Despite hi his ~ pride sinks into nothingnessi
Thou all-pervading essence, uncrcate,
Sss ana
Whose will it IS that guides and regulates
The work Of natures vast h harmonious ln,i s plan
In adoration and in love of Thee
i Enss strains xSf However s prsssi
Throughout all nations ;, to CT, the end Of ha.n time.
To Thee his hymns Of heartfelt gratitude
For every benefit by Thee conferred
That cheering promise of an endless life.
spss hsr ws es forth tine % for Of s u
This living faith, which Thou me hast given.
/ thank Thy bounty: not my sserts
s sesn sys hau N ys the s n
So much Of good as ~T .s as H. x:S hoSsA vsiled
Maps guide to Judgment is the exterior seeming;
Man. through the shSrtnss. Of hi. Visions range.
As well Nigh, man G from gazing y On the :s:
As s'%s To u%faid i" from outward se@bsncsr
From words acts. the secrets of the neart.
But thy niscence knows my steries;
Ts Mos. asrs ss. S Iss M4 ~s as fpss @
What doth j. matter then tnoush my . desserts
aay ma
T. Thou dost no, net What though they be my foes
What doth it matter though they cali me guilty.
And that Thou dost, soul is satisfied.
The The swift and ve1ssiui arrows Of remorso:
Il in Thy sight wa 'hns ma fs
4 sense OF wieksdnsss; bu, Thou hast not
Thou hast enriched me with ,nas psslss' s
Thou speake.t to my soul in soothing tones.
Best ss:ta Of Frendsi How potent is Thy love
through all earhs lis pow rless to harm the souli
lost 10 look
A criminal; unfortunate am.
Ss qsn Thy %s ssa S Hs'
For those VINO sin I'm in seer, sesr.tarharsoss lv
Who of, despite their dark and hidden deeds.
Before their fellows bear An upright misn,
Aud repute of justice, unimpaired
Sue. Such are the criminals whom thou , dost brand
WHO strive Q keep my laws, and only err .,
No single fall can cer ob,erate
Thou dost regard the intent; which, howe'e, good.
=. Tsy word tells Us. Him ;ha. thus hath erred
Upiifts and in better sphere than this.
Thus hath i ever been Almighty Judge,
pespised the contrite heart Thy laws contain
r. The S sS. S1 and umsn ns rp pnS perfection
Thoa h%ss observed MY lie in ali is ways.
And in Thy holy presence, aver
That its unchanglng purpose eer hath been
Thy favor Thy ss approval and Thy 10 love ,ss..
iyesrned 70 follow shaping every thought,
Aud word and action TO their prccepts. Vice
S" vss ;,%sSss ss RS.
bs.sasd .f"s IN 'sas Sos
IT, soisd meath burden: len .s"a mot from Q. Thee 'as
Aud how. alternately in and nope,
Ia,,lsd s',, q .S %,in grin ss sdsegs seG rs. .o
From men, devoid Of Kindly symps,hy
to %Sd ny dsssrw. ss 1
To utter all felt the task vain.
10, not pen o, poet isnSas a s OF. orator,
Could httingiy portray To human sense
The crucial test the deep intensity
OF anguish, both In body and In mind
The countless pains and weaknesses aud woes
Tha, bore mo down through many weary year.
And who OF all that know will assert
That heart urtured malice toward the one
IL idolizedy Omniscent Deity,
Scarcher of Hearts Thou knowest N this be true
hut human Judgment Is with charity
Most rarely tempered Violent and rash,
And deaf 90 ia stce that should ever 10
Its trusted gu ide). ~ stoops 60 grstify
Mems bnsest passions, prosecuting oft
Both good and bad alike; 10 hath eondemneo
From earliest ages myriads OF Thy Just
Nav hath ID moi condemned Thy only SOM
And vet Thy charity. which. more than ALL
Exa our M aniuates the Dfuasts
alf MANY here this night
az utter sorrow, have found with JOY.
Aud MANY moro, ween might justly claim
T1,. Ligh did they but pursue
ma noble promptings of their better selves.
For few indeed, give their calm consent
Tn vilful wrong. to cool iniquity.
II tnen M follow creatures, have done
Aught unto m q which their sense OF right
.uLaI.uI -