The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-10-21
Prisoner At The Bar.

JNte6C WuNkOA LII ulSulAGU
silence. Not a whisper was heard
anywhere, and the situation became
painfully oppressive.
Then the prisoner was seen to
move. His head was raised, his
hands clinched, while the blood
rushed to his pale, careworn face.
Suddenly he arose to his feet, and
In low but firm voice said:
81 have, your honor. You have
asked me a question; and 7 now ask
as q last favor on earth, that you
will not interrupt my answer until
I am through.
II stand before this bar convict
ed of willfnl murder of my wife.
Truthful Witnesses have testified to
the fact that / was a loafer, a
drnnkard and wretch; that / re.
turned from one of my prolonged
debauches and fred the fatal shot
which killed the wife 7 had sworn
to love, cherish and protect.
while I have no remembrance
Of committing the fatal deed, I have
no right. to complain nor to con-
denim the verdict of the twelve good
men who have acted as jury in this
case, for their verdict is in accord
ance with the evidence which I
have heard.
But, may it please the court, I
am not alone responsible for the
murder Of my wife,
This startling statement created
q tremendous sensation. The Judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced the
prisoner, while the jurors looked at
each other in amazement.
Yes, I repeat it. I am not the
only one guilty of the murder of
my wife. The judge on this bench,
the jury in the box, the lawyers
within this bar, and most Of the
Witnesses, including the pastor of
the old church, are also guilty, be-
fore Almighty God, and will have
to stand with me before his judy
ment throne, where we shall all be.
righteously judged for all our
thoughts, words and deeds.
IF there had not been saloons in
my town I should not have become
Q drunkard, my wife would not
have been murdered, and I should
not be here now, ready ito be
hurled into eternity. Had it not
been for these human traps / should
have been sober man, an indus
trious workman, a tender father,
and loving husband. But today
my home is destroyed, my little
children cast out into the world,
while I am to be hanged by the
strong arm of the state.
God knows I have tried to re.
form, and prayed for strength to
Withstand the licensed temptation;
but SO long as the open saloon was
IN my pathway my weak and
diseased will power was no match
against the fearful, agonizing, con.
Stunning appetite for drink.
For one year our town was
without saloon. I was one of
those who signed the remonstrance
against the reopening Of the saloons
in our town. One half of this jury,
the prosecuting attorney on this
case and the judge who sits on this
bench, all voted for the saloons.
BY their votes and influence saloons
were reopened, and they have help,
cd to make me what / am.v
The impassioned words of the
prisoner fell like Goals Of fire upon
the hearts of those present. The
Judge made a motion as if to stop
further speech but the prisoner
hastily said, "Yonr honor, I am
nearly through. Do not close my
lips" Then he resumed:
81 began my downward career at
saloon bar, licensed and protected
by the voters of this town. Had it
not been for the license voters, the
saloons which have wrecked my
life and destroyed my home would
not have existed. After the saloons
you have established have made me
a drunkard and murderer I am
taken before another bar, the bar
Of Justice, and now the law power
viii conduct me to my place of
execution, and hasten my soul into
eternity. 1 shall appear before
another bar then-the judgment
bar Of God.
"And there you who have licen-
sed the traffic must appear with
me. Think you that the great
Judge will hold me, the poor weak
victim Of your saloons, alone re.
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