The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-05-29
Respectfully yours,
ED. X. MANASSE.
TO MY TRUE FRIENDS.

Il "
TO MY TRUE FRIENDS.
As the time for my execution is fast
approaching, I can not delay longer IN
expressing to you how deeply my hearl
has been touched by your many gen.
erous and unselfish acts of kindness
and good will, in using your influence
as well as that of others, in the effort
10 save me from the death sentence
Who would ever think that a stray
xvanderer. such as I, would ever be the
recipient of such wonderful acts of love
and kindness. I sincerely hope 1 have
deserved them.
Thank God for His mercy ana love-
In regards to the deed which has
placed me in this position, let me as
sure vou all that had no intention OF
harming Cook. 1t was not premeul-
tated. nor was it done in the heat OF
passion. but forced on me, and be-
lieving from his actions that my me-
as well as that of my wife was IN
danger. I took no chances. 1t was
solely self defense.
John Cook had threatened my lie
both before and after my marriage.
Before my marriage, he failed in an
attempt to drown me.
After my marriage he interfered
with nv rights in trying to ALLEVIATE
the affections of my wife, and after
failing so to do, stated that he would
kill me first. next my wife and end
all by taking his own life.
may have been wrong in taking
the life of Cook, but after the fore
going had taken place, and seeing
what I deemed a move to draw
weapon, I thought my life was in dan
ger and tried to protect myself.
You have shown your sympathy for
me the son of Rev. H. Manasse.
believe that you love your religion and
your God. and that you are true Chris
sians No doubt you pity for my aged
parents who have been more than forty
wears in Gods service. You are doing
ali that can be done to save my life
and to cast off the burden from my
dear parents shoulders as Christians
always do in behalf of their brethren.
Here 1 was a stranger in a foreign
land. led astray to become member
of Satan's throng. The result of this
is: that 1 am a branded criminal in
the eyes of the world.
my dear parents taught me to believe
in from childhood up, helpless and
friendless and almost in despair, I lit
lie thought of His power and mercy
then, and the realization has, alas!
come to late to ward off the brand.
Here in this country, the protector
of Hawaii, there are gentlemen who
have also given me proof of their
sympathy and Christian attitude to-
wards their brethren; by using the
means in their power to secure me a
Communication from the death sentence.
and whether their efforts are crowned
with success or failure, the PROOF of
their sympathy is of very great COM
fort to me.
Nv thanks to all is from the bottom
of my heart. and it is my regret that
I can not show the thanks in a more
pronounced form. I hope you will be
able to realize my appreciation of your
kindness.
have earned the wages of sin, but
thanks to God, the prayers of parents
and friends saved me from the ever
lasting agony: The daEkened path has
come to an end. and every day left to
me in this life will be vivid recollec-
ton Of the ProdIgal Son. I have ac-
cepted Christ as my Savior.
Many and varied are the thoughts
Of my dear parents love, and of my
dear sunny Hawaiian home, and strong
is the wish to see them once more,
but if God so wills that deserve this
earthly punishment I will meet it
bravely. knowing that my sins are for
given through His dear Son, Jesus
Christ.
Asking the aid of your prayers, I
again thank you my dear friends from
my heart. I remain,
Most sincerely yours,
(Sgd) ED. K. MANASSE.
March 5th. 1908.