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36 stigmatize as the boldest and most unjust ruling of any tyrant that ever disgraced public office. The following are his words:—

"The offence of which you have been convicted is one, which, to my mind, is of a grievous character. I know nothing which of itself tends more to the demoralization of society, and to the corruption of pure minds, and especially of the young, than a publication of the character of which you have been convicted.

"It should be the desire of every one in a community like this, or whether the community be great or small, to hold the minds, not only of the mature, but of the young, pure and untainted, and anything which tends to break down the natural modesty and purity of the human mind is subversive of the highest interests of our being.

"I think that the law has affixed to the offence of which you have been convicted, a mild penalty. I know of cases, of civil cases, in which it would be my duty, if the law warranted it, in extending the term of