Year: 1859

Se"a "nN oo'i1J CO"Nu0tCu. COuiu SSS
in spite Of himself, his varying countc.
nance, and his heart sunk within him
And your father too, who stood by your
side, day after day, Notwithstanding .
forced composure, I could see that he
carried fathers heart in his bosom,
and thought could see the iron as it
entered his soul. and hope depart.
But, as for you, throusout this entire
.asc-up to this very hour-you seem to
to have been, and now to be, entirely
unconscious Of the nature Of the ter
rible punishment that awaits you, not
only in this world, but in that other
world on the threshold Of which you
now stand. Would to God, for your
own sake, that could say something to
you in this solemn hour that might
wake you to consciousness and feeling
that could make you, in some meas
ure, at least, feel and understand the
atrocity of the crime you have commit
ted. / feel my utter inability to do so.
must leave this to other and far ADLER
lips than mine-to the ministers Of God,
who are appointed and to turn the sin.
ner from the road to hell to the way to
heaven. For


"There is path that leads tt God


All others 60 astray"


The learned counsel, who, with so
much ability and fairness, aided in your
prosecution, was understood by me to
have stated in his address to the jury.
and you hearing, that it was impossible
for any one who was not in Baltimore at
Gambrill's trial, and at the time Of Rig.
don's murder, and who was not also
part Of that community, to understand
at all the deep feeling of horror, indig-
nation, and adherence, with which your
crime filled every heart in that city. In
this incline to think he is mistaken,
and will tell you why. But in order
to do SO must speak Of myseif-of the
effect the news Of your crime had on
me. And l shall speak 10 you frankly
and truthfully. I had not been in Bal
timore for some months before Gambrills
trial, nor was I there during that trial,
nor for weeks afterward. I had read
something, hut not much concerning it.
| had returned from holding protract.
ed court at Ekton, Cecil county, with a
wearicd brain and wearicd body, to en-
JOY for day or two the rest Of my home
among the secluded and beautiful hills
Of Deer creek, in Hartford, county, far
from the turmoil Of the great city where
this deed Of yours was done.


On Saturday evening, the next day
after Friday, the 9Th day Of your crime
| was sitting at mine own fireside my
wife near me my little children, their
faces bright and beaming with JOY and
gladness around me- My own heart
was full-overdowing-with the happi-
ness Of that hour, and trust, with
deep gratitude to God for all his good
ness. Some one, do not know who,
handed me package Of newspapers
from tho post Office. I picked up the
Baltimore Sun Of that morning and
opened it. One Of my children playful
y pulled it away I put her little hand
aside and took it again.


In looking over the paper, the FIRST
thing that attracted my notice was an
editorial article which appeared in the
paper of that day, announcing the mur.
der Of Rigdon. / had been familiar with
the details Of crime Of every hue, but
this article riveted my attention. As |
read, / held my breath. felt thrill
through my nerves. Ny right arm grew
hard and strong. It was with an effort
that prevented myself from springing
to my feet. was never before SO
moved by the recital Of deed Of crime.
It was not fear, it was not terror-no,
nothing like it. I vii frankly tell you
what it was. ! felt that dark spirit Of
vengeance had unlimited entered my
sonl. To be sure, in moment it was
gone but dark shadow as from the
wing Of raven, and tho happiness and
brightness which had just filed my
heart was changed as by tho wand Of an