{"newspaper_name": "The New York herald.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
{"character_count": 2108, "word_count": 364, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9700999855995178], "ccnet_perplexity": [1048.300048828125], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
The CASE OF JOHN GoRpoN-We give on the
first page OF this days paper the petition presented
TO the Governor of Rhode Island, by the unfortu-
nate Irishman, John Gordon, who was recently
hung for the alleged murder of Mr.. Sprague, he
being, as there is now every reason to believe en-
trey innocent OF the crime The petition and &C
companyng affidavits are full OF melancholy inte-
rest, and although the victim himself is far reno.
veo from our sympathes, yet the is one of too
deep Importance and conveys TOO solemn and vau-
aoie moral to be passed over without a proper
degree of attention.


We do think that every intelligent man on read
ing those afidavts must come to the conclusion
mat John Gordon was convicted and executed
without proof OF his commission ofthe crime alleged
against him. The evidence throughout was ali o.
sether circumsantal, and the strongest point
was that In relation to the ownership of the gun,
with which the bloody deed was unquestionably
committed. That point it is now seen beyond a
doubt, Is entirely divesed Of its bearing against
the ilated man, whose life has fallen sacrifice.
The affidavit of William Gordon, is Que OF the
most touching narratives we have ever read. We
have never seen in the pages of romance, such an
affecting picture of brothers strong affection, the
strugglings Of an accusing conference.-the agonies
of a heart tortured with the conviction, that in
trying to save he had destroyed his brother!


The conduct of Governor Fenner in refusing a
repreve in this case, is inexplicable 1t cannot be
palliated. We are amongst the very last who
would excuse the improper exercise Of Executive
clemency, and have often expressed an indignant
disapprobaton of abuses Of the pardoning power.
But here was most clearly a case in which every
principle of justice and of mercy concurred in de-
manding reprieve. The blood of this poor mali
It indeed innocent, as we have good reason to be-
Levels on the head of Governor Fenner. Let
this case stand out in all time to come. solemn
warning against prejudice in Jurors, and wanton
cruelty in Executive officers