The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-09-18

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bringing light out of darkness and order
out of confusion. admired the inimita-
bic tact with which he detected every
flaw in tho prosecutors case, and seized
for bis client upon every offensive and
defensive point in the evidence--from
which he poured the irrisistahlc flood Of
his eIoquence into the very souls of his
auditory. Yet, strange to say, his ora
tory was plain, had almost said, un-
seleci but if it possessed not the polish
ed elegance Of Cicero's it contained all
the fiery energy of Demosthenes' ha-
rangaes. The jury had leaned atten-
|tively forward in their box-every face
gradually relaxed into an expression of
with the arguments of the
eloquent counsel even one dogmatical,
|hanging-looking old fellow, who sat bolt
upright during the entire business, was.
10y some droll but flattering compliment
|tickled into attention--a smile played
around his puckered mouth and ! could
see plainly by his gratified chuckle, that
he was fast forsaking his strict matter
of opinions. 1t was now evident that
though the sword still remained suspen-
ded over the prisoners's head. the chan
ces for his safety were momentarily
doubling for, as he drew near the close
of his vehement and splendid appeal to
the heart, the feelings and sympathIes
Of the Court and Jury, every breath sus-
pended-all was silent as death; save
that one deep, powerful. and impressive
voice. The unfortunate criminal watch
ed his deliverer with looks in which a
fatal ray of hope seemed lowering on
the brink ofdespair-while his ngonized
wife, (who, like Il ministering angel. had
stood near him in the side Of the dock,
during the day. wiped with her checked
apron, the cold dews which overspread
his pale brow.
Tho speaker at length concluded, and,
flinging himself back exhaustedly on his
seat, the loud hum Of admiration spread
the Court, and had an oppor-
tunity Of inquiring from gentleman
who sat near me, who that eloquent plea
der was "Who 7" replied he in tone
of amazement.-"Who could it be but
O'Connell 2" was petrifed-for here l
had been listening above an hour to this
great Leviatian Of law and politics with
out being aware of his presence. As ]
gazed on his portly figure-caIn, good
humorcd face--rich smile, in which an
comicality seemed to lurk
and quick piercing eye,--I felt convinc-
ed, tha. of all men had ever seen, he
was the fttest for popular leader.
The judge now summoned up his
charge coolly and impartially. A doubt
he said, had arisen, of which the prison
er ought to have the benefit; hut he left
to the Jury the consideration of it.
They retired--and, after an hours tor
turing suspense, brought in a verdict of
"Naf Guilty" i Ne
The prisoner VINO naa Hc,o, fuI.-r.i
in the hour of peril who had borne up
manfully against his impending fate--no
sooner heard the verdict pronounced
than his fortitude forsook him-the tram
sition from prison and an ignominious
death, to liberty and life, was too much
his spirits failed, and with faint ex-
he sank forward, his face
concealed in his hands, upon the bar of
the dock his wife sobbing loudly, clung
wildly to his neck. holding up his infant
boy to share his restored embrace. A
few moments more beheld him libcrat-
ed man, exulting in the free, blessed air
and light of Heaven, surrounded by a
crowd Of his friends and people who
not content with evincing their delight,
by deafening shiloas, lifted him on their
and bearing him in triumph
down the man street, amid the waving
Of eaubeens and alpeens, concluded the
days adventures by washing away sor-
row, and all the remembrance Of the
"gloomy past" in oceans ofpotten "that
never saw the face ofthe murdhurin thief
Nv gauger." ql 1,3