Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/323

DELAWARE COUNTY. 299 of the people should be ■warring against their own govern- ment — for it is here a government strictly of the people. If errors in legislation have been committed, you have the power to correct them. You can give government a right direction. And yet, strange as it seems, you find a portion of the people placing themselves in open rebellion against that government, refusing to enjoy the rich blessings purchased by the blood of their fathers, and placing themselves in a position to destroy all the institutions that have thus far blessed them. This is indeed greatly to be regretted. There never can be in a free government, a government of the people, either necessity or excuse for trea- son. If there be anything wrong, the ballot-box is the place where redress is certain. The power is the peoples' own. But it must always be peacefully exerted — never by force. Our space will hardly permit us to dwell in detail upon the trial of the different prisoners — suffice it to say that they resulted in two convictions for murder, four were sentenced to the State Prison for life, and thirteen for a term of years. The following prefatory remarks and sentences of the two pri- soners convicted of murder is from the Albany Argus : ^' Long before the hour to which the court stood adjourned, persons began to flock in. Many little groups were collected around the court room, speculating upon the nature of the various sentences that were soon to be passed ; and many with eager countenances were inquiring, whether those found guilty of murder would be hung. Sometime before the bell rang for the court to convene, the room was filled to overflowing ; and many an anxious face and palpitating heart were there. " At 10 o'clock Judge Parker took his seat on the bench and ordered the sheriff" to bring up John Van Steenburgh. The prisoner being brought up. Judge Parker addressed the pri- soner in substance as follows : — ' John Yan Steenburgh — You have been convicted of the