The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
The LAST MURDER TRIAL
PROM A SYMPATHETIC WOMAN'S
STANDPOINT.
A Scene Only Worthy OF the In
QUESTION for Cruelty and a
BrOthel for Vulgarity.
To the Editors of the Appeal:

To the Editors Of the Appeal;
| went TO the courtroom on the
opening of this ial, foreseeing a rep
clifton OF the last case of killing for
where two motherless girls
sat alone for hours, amid scene, judg
ing from its description given me by
men present, both as witnesses and
spectators, as worthy of only the in
duisition in cruelty and brothel for
vulgarity. Wrapped in a garment OF
sorrow as imperious TO sneers as is
asbestos to flame, l felt that my wom-
anly presence, as wife, mother, citizen,
decent and honest, would serve in a |
measure TO repress this somewhat.
There are those who will say that |
"only brazen impudence could willing
ly face that crowd, in woman's FORM"
False they are. Only a moral courage,
too lofty for groundlings to understand
and far more powerful than that which
might face lion in the way, swept
that crowd from my view, and saw
only the miserable prisoner, alone
amidst a crowd of men, and sur
rounded by a gaping hoard OF curious
spectators. If a woman were swathhed
in the flames of torment, and my
hand can help her by its clasp,
GAS the Lord liveth and my soul liv
eth" IL shall be stretched to her, and
when such scenes rs were there enact
ed are no longer poss BILE, rendered so
by woman's power, children yet UNI
born will bless the memory of the
courageous yet despised few who are
making this fight for letter life and
better condition for all humanity.
That woman's presence there, vile
as the scene was, did restrain the vul-
garity of men. Col. Nat Taylor, in
speaking, while referring to the pris-
oner, spoke Of her as a "veiled cy-
prian,' and deeply regretted that Ia
dies were in the house, for he must
forbear in their presence to tell the
Jury much he desired TO do.
With the conduct Of the counsel for
the State, / leave the press to report.
Judge Douglass had a hard task to
perform, for he ruled to prevent the
opening OF hood-gate Of sensational
vulgarity." Admit the crowding, adj
nit the tobacco, admit the drunken
ness, the habitues of that courtroom
will bear me witness that only the
bare, plain facts were allowed to be
given, and the vile sensations hoped
for were not in any sense forthcoming,
and in this Judge Douglass is to be
congratulated. ! deeply regret that
the pastors who were present on the
second day did not attend the last,
and hear a royal-souled man plead, rs
Judge Greer did. He made a magniti'
cent effort, and the crowd listened in
solemn silence. To me the surprise
was that the vast audience, packed as
il was, remained so still all the morn
ing. To the honor of the prisoner 1t
should be said that the three true
brave yeomen, father and two broth.
err, never left her side during the
trial. And when the old man, with
his stern face quivering with emotion
whispered, "Thank and bless you
ladies, you have done noble deed in
giving your presence here; and my
girl is Il good girl; bless yor
both, for standiog here fol
my poorchild, when her sorrow broke
forth in the pitiful words: Eyes, my
father, my mother, my brother, have
been so good TO me. 1t is that which
kills me. If they abused me ] coulC
better endure it, Their pity and low
breaks my heart" felt repaid TO
) the three days | gave exclusively Il
, that trial. Until ban of protection
is made TO secure innocent girls iron
, the vile seducer's art, until the age o
+. consent is raised in every State in thi
| Union from the shameful condition
Q now in, from ten to seventeen year
4 land il is only women's effort tina
r can raise it), until then will b
found in courts, or wherever els
8 duty calls, laboring, with pen an
: tongue.
: Statistics state that nearly ever
D four years the ranks of shame mus
Y be regulated to suit the passions {
i men. am tired OF that cowardiC
and ignorance that hounds the woma
down and lets the man go, and the
evokes the shotgun. Let both b
punished or both go free. Let wome
arouse themselves and study thes
questions, and petition until sue
laws are made and the ounce OF pr,
lection given, for in cases like this II
pound OF cure is ever found.
"Thank God for oppression" I
brave woman has said. ] echo it, Il
} il breeds rebellion; that arouse
thought, and thought murders i
norance. the twin brother of sin.
ELIZABETH L. SAXON.