Page:The Great Harry Thaw Case.djvu/267

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

attorney, and that night he appealed to God, and God that night answered that cry—the cry of the fatherless child. And God then redeemed the promise He had made thousands of years ago when He said He would hear the cries of the afflicted and that He would make the wives of the oppressors widows and their children orphans.

"Ah, gentlemen, what was his condition of mind at that time? Men, judge your fellow-man as ye would be judged. Place yourselves as far as in your power lies in the place he stood.

"It is for the district attorney to prove that the defendant was sane, and if he fails to do this he has not established his case. He must establish that he was sane at the time.

"And I ask you not to violate any law, and I ask you to judge by that law which bids you do unto others what you desire others to do unto you.

"Send this young man to his death for what he did when goaded into frenzy by the persecution he had suffered? He turned at last as the weakest of created things will turn—as a worm, it is said, will turn against his tormentors—send him to his death for that?

"Ah, gentlemen, recall the language of the great book in which is contained the wisdom and religion of the people of old, and I say to you, Is Jonathan to die for ridding Israel of its pollution?

"Is Jonathan to die for working this great salvation in Israel?

"God forbid! Not a hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he walked with God on that day.

"I now with all solemnity leave in your hands the fate of Harry K. Thaw."