The Argus at KellyGang 12/11/1880 (3)
Editorial continued
Let them ask themselves what comfort EDWARD KELLY could have derived yesterday, as he stood upon the drop, from the thought that for about twenty weary months—during which he had the heavy load of murder upon his soul—he had lived, not a wild free life, as stupid youths foolishly imagine, but the life of a hunted animal? It is true that his name was in every mouth, but however flattering such notoriety may be to a vain nature, it can afford but very sorry solace to any man when, steeped in crime, he stands face to face with a horrible and shameful death. The existence of the Kelly gang has, we fear, proved the bane of a considerable portion of the rising generation, and we trust its fate may prove the antidote. The larrikin class has seen that "though" hand join in hand the wicked shall not "go unpunished"—that though retribution may tarry, it will come at last. Things may seem to go well with the murderer for a time, but outraged society is banded against him, and sooner or later it will assuredly consign him to a felon's grave.
In addressing the wretched creature who has just gone to his account, before passing sentence of death, Mr Justice BARRY made the following remarks, which we commend to the serious attention of those for whom they were de- signed :—
“Foolish, inconsiderate, ill-conducted, unprincipled youth unfortunately abound, and unless they are made to consider the consequences of crime, they are led to imitate notorious felons whom they regard as self- made heroes. It is right, therefore, that they should be asked to consider and reflect upon what the life of a felon is. A felon who has cut himself off from all decencies, all the affections, charities, and all the obligations of society, is as helpless and degraded as a wild beast of the field. He has nowhere to lay his head, he has no one to prepare for him the comforts of life. He suspects his friends, he dreads his enemies, he is in constant alarm lest his pursuers should reach him, and his only hope is that he might use his life in what he considers a glorious struggle for existence. That is the life of the outlaw or felon, and it would be well for those young men who are so foolish as to consider that it is brave of a man to sacrifice the lives of his fellow creatures in carrying out his own wild ideas to see that it is a life to be avoided by every possible means, and to reflect that the unfortunate termination of your life is a miserable death."
Our English readers will see that the most strenuous efforts were made by Mr DAVID GAUNSON, M.L.A., to obtain a commutation of the sentence. This gentleman acted as attorney for the prisoner at the trial. In conjunction with his brother, Mr WILLIAM GAUNSON, a vain and silly young man who is always on the qui vive to make political capital with a view to a Parliamentary career, he got up a series of meetings and a number of petitions for the purpose of bringing pressure to bear upon the Executive. Instead of washing his hands of the whole affair, as any respectable practitioner would have done, directly a verdict of guilty had been given after a fair trial, he has been pestering the GOVERNOR and the Ministry with far-fetched arguments and dishonest distortions of the facts to show that KELLY was in such a state of mind, owing to rumours which had reached his ears before he shot the policemen, that his crime did not come within the definition of murder. Seeing that Mr DAVID GAUNSON is the chairman of committees of the Legislative Assembly, his conduct in the matter is regarded as a public scandal, and an affront to the moral sense of the community. He has not yet been dealt with either by the Assembly or by his constituents, and there seems some probability that his action will be allowed to pass without censure or punishment.
The leaders of the House display a weak inclination to shirk their obvious duty in the matter. We trust, for the credit of the colony, that such will not be the case ; but we have seen so many important matters subordinated before now to political convenience, that we feel by no means certain that we shall escape the disgrace indicated.
Edward Kelly was executed yesterday morning, in the Melbourne Gaol. The execution took place at 10 o’clock, in the presence of about 30 persons, and as the doomed man had a fall of 8ft. death was instantaneous. The customary forms were duly observed, and the usual inquest was held on the body. Outside the gaol about 4,000 persons assembled, but order prevailed, and the crowd, after lingering about for an hour dispersed. The body of the murderer will be interred to-day in the gaol yard. A summarised history of the Kelly gang and a detailed account of the execution is given elsewhere.
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