Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-05-07

- sucEss zsfI sccui X iisIs ~

4
ret, - that excited in the trial OF
young Mr.. Buchanan, which took place
90 Thursday last. in Anne Arundel
county court.
The public have been apprixed,
through the columns of some Of the
public papers, that in . rencontre which
took place some three weeks ago a
Waterloo. Mr.. Buchanan. son Of Thorn
. Buchanan. Esq. Chief Judge Of the
highest tribunal Of this State. had shot
man BY the name Of Ellis. and that
he bad been committed for trial.
Mr.. Buchabsa was acting in the En-
Cneer department upon the line Of the
Baltimore and Washington Railroad,
and the deceased was one Of the per-
sons employed thereon. The scene
lay at the spot where so many lawless
scts Of violence had recently been
committed. and the catastrophe may be
considered - one Of those deplorable
results which were 80 much to be ap-
pretended. from the posture in which
society was there placed for the time
being, when unusual precaution for
self-defence became almost indispensa-
Bile.
After inquiry into the facts Of the
case, q number Of very influential indi-
viduals determined Immediately to lay
. statement thereof before Governor
Thomas. with 4 full confidence that
those facts, taken with the whole con-
current circumstances, formed such a
ease - TO call for the exercise Of that
high and delicate prerogative which is
entrusted TO the Governor alone, Of ar
resting all further proceedings against
an accused. Whilst this was in pro-
gress, however, Judge Buchanan reach
cd the city. and instantly, with that
high tone Of human energy, which we
hope will become no less characters
nc Of American, than il has heretofore,
Is If exclusively, been designated rs
Roman virtue, placed his veto upon all
attempts Of the kind, and pronounced
that his son should await the verdict
Of his country.
The Grand Jury having indicted Mr..
b. for the higher, as pro formo inclu-
ding the inferior grades Of homicide,
he was arraigned on Thursday morning,
and jury was empannelled. Such
impressions a. the countenance, per-
sonal appearance, and department Of an
individual % circumstanced, are calcu-
lated TO make, served to deepen the
interest which pervaded the whole
scene. An afecionaie brother was at
his side. But the most striking moral
spectacle which we have ever witness
sd-which We ever expect to witness.
was the entry Of the venerable Judge
Buchanan into the Court place
where for more than thirty years we
have all been in the constant habit of
seeing him approach only for the pur-
pose OF presiding in chief-and, when
entering, not only stopping short Of
The accustomed elevation, but taking
his seat in position so eoafrasied to
all that he had been. There was
moral sublimity in conceiving the
broad basis upon which is founded, and
the ample elevations to which are rear
cd, our civil institutions, al at that mo-
rnent demonstrated before our eyes
Probably no man breathing could bring
10 such a position more of those sensi-
bilities which properly belong to man
and father. than Judge Buchanan.
He was conducted into court and TO a
seat by Roger B. fancy, Of Baltimore
city. and Joseph /. Merrick, of Wash
ington county. who had volunteered
their services as counsel in the case,
- did also Reverdy Johnson and Thos.
3. Alexander, Esqs.
The court was occupied the whole
day; and excepting short respite for
dinner, until about seven O'Clock in the
evening, in the examination Of the wit
nesses, which was conducted by Mr..
Boyle for the State, and principally by
Mr.. johnson for the prisoner We
should do injustice, were We TO omit
here to say, what must have been man
ifest to all who were present, that Col.
Boyle not only opened the case IN a
very impressive style, but conducted
the examination with the single view
USuStuuk uto uuui, WudtCbcE ~ Hni4ut
be, and fulfilling the duties Of his sta.
ton to the utmost. however painful the
obligation might become.
The occasion seemed, indeed, TO in
spire ssolemnity ofjudicial proceeding.
which should give that full confidence
in the impartial adm inistration Of law
and justice, which constitutes at last the
bond Of the social syste m. II called
upon 10 propose sample Of CHAT trials
ought always 10 be, we should unhesi-
tatingly adduce this one Of Mr.. Buch-
snan. as furnis hing the most unexcep-
Gonable specimen we have ever looked
uPon--and not the less Unexceptiona-
bic because the jury empsnnelled were
trolted upon this occasion a. If esteem
ed 10 possess some share Of intellect OF
their own.
The evidence in the case was entire
y conclusive Of the fact, that Mr.. B.
being in company with an acquaintance,
Eifbta house, was by concert called
out thereof Cor the uuTuo9c of being