A Condemned Man Speaks
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Prov: 20:1
“Prisoner at the bar, have you anything to say, any reason why sentence of death shall not be passed upon you?”
A solemn hush fell over the crowded courtroom, and every person waited in almost breathless expectation for the answer to the judge’s question.
The judge waited in dignified silence.
Not a whisper was heard anywhere, and the situation had become painfully oppressive, when the prisoner was seen to move. His head was raised, his hands were clenched, and the blood had rushed into his pale, careworn face.
Suddenly he arose to his feet, and in a low, but firm and distinct voice, said, “I have! Your Honor, you have asked me a question, and I now ask, as the last favor on earth, that you will not interrupt my answer until I am through.
“I stand here before this bar, convicted of the willful murder of my wife. Truthful witnesses have testified to the fact that I was a loafer, a drunkard, a wretch; that I returned from one of my prolonged debauches, and fired the fatal shot that killed the wife I had sworn to love, cherish, and protect. While I have no remembrance of committing the fearful deed, I have no right to complain or to condemn the verdict of the twelve good men who have acted as jury in the case; for their verdict is in accordance with the evidence given.
“But, may it please the court, I wish to show that I am not alone responsible for the murder of my wife!”
This startling statement created a tremendous sensation. The judge leaned over the desk; the lawyers wheeled around and faced the prisoner; the jurors looked at one another in amazement. The prisoner paused for a few seconds, and then continued in the same firm, distinct voice.
“I repeat, Your Honor, that 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 church, are also guilty before the Almighty God, and will have to stand with me before His judgment throne, where we shall all be righteously judged.
“If it had not been for the saloons of my town, I never would have become a drunkard, my wife never would have been murdered; I would not be here ready to be hurled into eternity. Had it not been for these human traps, I would have been a sober man, an industrious workman, a tender father, and a loving husband. But today my home is destroyed, my wife murdered, my little children—God bless and care for them—are cast on the mercy of the world, while I am to be hanged by the strong arm of the state.
“God knows I tried to reform, but as long as the open saloon was in my pathway, my weak, diseased willpower was no match against the fearful, consuming, agonizing appetite for liquor.
“For one year our town was without a saloon. For one year my wife and children were happy, and our home was a paradise.
“I was one of those who signed remonstrances against reopening the saloons of 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, the saloons were reopened, and they have made me what I am.”
These impassioned words of the prisoner fell like coals of fire upon the hearts of those present, and many of the spectators and some of the lawyers were moved to tears. The judge made a motion as if to stop further speech, when the speaker hastily said:
“No! no! Your Honor, do not close my lips; I am nearly through. I began my downward career at a saloon bar, legalized and protected by the voters of this town. After the saloons you allowed have made me a drunkard and a murderer, I am taken before another bar, the bar of justice, and now the power of the law will conduct me to the place of execution, and hasten my soul into eternity. I shall appear before another bar—the judgment bar of God—and there you who have legalized the traffic will have to appear with me. Think you that the great Judge will hold me—the poor, weak, helpless victim of your traffic—alone responsible for the murder of my wife? Nay, I, in my drunken, frenzied, irresponsible condition, have murdered one; but you have deliberately voted for the saloons, which have murdered thousands, and they are in full operation today with your consent.
“All of you know in your hearts that these words of mine are not the ravings of an unsound mind, but the truth of the Almighty God. You legalized the saloons that made me a drunkard and a murderer, and you are guilty with me before God and man, for the murder of my wife.
“Your Honor, I am done. I am now ready to receive my sentence, and be led forth to the place of execution. You will close by asking the Lord to have mercy on my soul. I will close by solemnly asking God to open your blind eyes to your own individual responsibility, so that you will cease to give your support to this dreadful traffic.
KJV Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
