Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-02-26
An Adroit Judge.

do great many cruel acts.
A number of those who had suffered
under Sanchez'S rule when the war
| closed went to live in Havana. San
| chez had beaa in the tobacco business
before the war and at the close re-
| turned TO that business He wished
only To live peaceably and earn a liv-
Ing for his family. But those who had
felt the effect OF Weyler's iron rule,
administered through his subordinate,
We're not minded that the ex governor
should escape without punishment.
One day man was found murdered
In the streets of Havana, and wit
ness came forward who swore that he
had seen Sanchez commit the act
Judge Antonio Herrera presided at
Sanchez's trial In the witnesses the
judge recognized Cubans who had been
active in the revolution. Nevertheless
4 good case was made against the for
mer deputy Of the merciless Weyler.
The jury brought In a verdict of guilty,
and it only remained for the Judge to
pronounce sentence
hiSuti
The prisoner arose pale and treR
bling He was supported by his daugh
ter, Il dusky Spanish girl with liquid
eyes bordered by long lashes
Miguel Sanchez" said the judge
do you remember me-"
Il do" faltered the prisoner.
When did we last meet:"
II ordered your arrest. You were
brought before me. and | sent you to
prison"
What We're your words on that oc-
casion?"
Il don't remember"
II do You said: The crown OF
Spain demands your influence to put
down the revolution or your life.
give you two days in which to
choose"
The judge paused a moment. The
courtroom was dealthly still except
for the sobs OF bona Maria Sanchez.
do you remember some months lat
er, after | had got away from you--it
was through the cOnnivance of one
near your person-that you were be-
sieging the town of c., where you had
me, backed by Il number of revolution
lists. surrounded"
Il do
You found nut too hard for you TO
crack. You cared little for any one
within the town except myself. One
evening a note was put into my hand
by one who slipped away and was lost
in crowd before | could mark him.
The note was from you. You asked
me to meet you without the walls,
promising me safe conduct You
limited that the crown was ready to
pay me Il good price and give HE an
Important post in ease would abjure
the revolution and throw my influence
on the other side. | sent a man made
up to represent me. What became OF
him?"
Sanchez stood with bowed head
Again there WAS silence except for his
daughters sobs.
IL will tell you" continued the Judge.
He was arrested and was about to be
shot when he succeeded in convincing
you that he WAS not the person he ap-
peared to be. He was permitted to re-
turn to me as Il messenger with anOth-
er safe conduct and further offers
The judge paused again. This time,
besides the sobs OF bona Maria. there
were mutteringS among the ex-revolu-
tionists who had secured the prisoners
conviction
What have you to say" continued
the Judge. Gin explanation of your
treachery?'
The prisoner raised his head, looked
ut the Judge and said:
Nothing"
Something lighted in the eye of the
judge that had not been there before.
He sat regarding the prisoner, who
was still looking tixedly at him. Then
the judge broke the silence.
"You have this To say. You were
simply a machine To carry out the or
ders of butcher. What you said were
the words of General Weyler. What
YOU did We're his acts"
The pallor of the prisoners cheek
gave place Ia tinge of color. Dona
Maria looked up at the judge with
new expression.
1T Is l. not tyrant, who Judges
YOU now, as | was Judged. And this
Is my decision. The revolution Is ac-
complished 1t is not for me. Il judge
Of the court, to dispense vengeance.
This case has been trumfed up against
you by those who wish 10 be revenged
upon you for acts of which you were
only the tool. They might AZ we'll
strike an AK and leave the headsman
who welded ii untouched Sentence
IS suspended indefinitely. Meanwhile,
Miguel Sanchez, YOU are permitted 10
go where you WILL"
The sudden reprieye was too much
for Sanchez He reeled and fell into
the arms of his daughter He did not
see the look that passed between that
daughter and his judge, look that
seldom sits on the human countenance,
for only extraordinary conditions can
call forth such IN expression.
In one part of the judges address he
had spoken of having escaped through
the connivance of one near the goUrn-
or's person. That person was Maria