The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-07-24


SUPREME COURT OF THE U. STATES.
The PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES,
RN SD versus
JAMES X. Polk, alias LITTLE JENNY.
The trial of this case commenced on the LIST day
OF June last, and will probably occupy the atten-
ton OF the Court until November next the law
allowing the jury of the sovereign people, before
whom he is to be tried, until that time to make
up verdict. The defendant was arraigned on
the day above mentioned, charged with being a
Hdr--d cOl0drd-a pOltr0On-an inflated toad-a
dema g0gue-a posthumous bantling of Tennes-
see Locofocoisn, and the descendant of Tory
nherting all the ant-republican principles of his
grandslre. 1t being shown to the satisfaction of
The Court that the defendant had not vet arrived
at the age of discretion, the Locofoco party, as his
prochein ami, was permitted to conduct the de-
fence for him. The appearance of his "next
FRIEND" as he arose to plead, certainly unique
He had on free trade British red coat--tarff
breaches of true blue--a Texas annexation coat
half white and half black-sub-treasury alias Sc
ven league boots-an internal Improvement hat
regulating cravat-and waistcoat said to have
been bequeathed to him by Governor Dorr when
he was sentenced to hard labor for life in the
Rhode Island penitentiary. He appeared entirely
unconscious of his grotesque appearance, and, to
the usual question, answered "not guilty." with
yes hardened rogue.
The first witness called to the stand was Wan
ter w. Payne, Of Alabama. His official station
as member of Congress entitled him TO be consi-
dered as gentleman of strict veracity, and he
consequently was not sworn
Question By the Counsel for the prosecution
Do you know the accused
Answer do; have known him intimately
for years.
@. Are you in any way related to him?
A. Only politically. We are both members Of
that harmoHious and interesting brotherhood.
@. You have heard the indictment read: has
the defendant ever been guilty, your knowledge,
of any of the charges therein specified?
A. do not no,0 remember
@. Did you not, in January last, write and pub
lish an article in the Washington Globe, in which
you denounced him as a cooard?
A. did.
O. Upon what did you found that charge?
A. Upon the fact that he permitted Mr.. Wise
to pull him rudely by the arm, and hiss in his ear,
" You are the contemplate tool Of petty tyrant-
I mean that as an insMt-pockst H"-and did
not resent it.
@. Did you not, in said letter, contemptuously
term him the "poshumous bantling of Tennessee
Democracy" and compare him to "toad" that
his injudicous friends were trying to puff into the
size of an OK!
A. did.
@. Did you not, for these and various other rea-
sons, denounce him as totally unfit to be placed
upon the ticket as candidate for Vice President?
Did you not say that his name would add no
strength TO any ticket? Did you not ridicule the
idea of attempting to force such man upon the
people of Tennessee, who had twice repudiated
him as their Governor! In short, sir, did you not
say, that, with his name upon the ticket, the De-
mocrats could never carry that State!
A. did-and such, then, was my candid OPT
Mon.
q. Are you still of the same opinion
A. am motor, at least, l do not so now de-
clare it.
@. What reasons have you for changing your
opinion?
A. Col. Polk is now the candidate of our party
for the Presidency.
O. True; but does that fact make any thing
false that four months ago was true!
A. cannot say that it would but-U would
thank the Marshal for drink of water)-cr-
cumstances alter cases, and it would be treason
against "tbe party" to say any thing against its
nominee.
@. understand you to say then that you now
take back all that you said previous to the nomi-
nation, and recommend Col Polk for the Presi-
dency?
A. ! act in accordance with "the established
usages Of the party"
@. What are we to understand by that
A. That we 60 for the nominee, right or wrong.
@. Has your party no principles, then, by which
they governed
A. Yes, sir our motto is "principles, not
men )" but, then, our avowed "principles,' and
the established usages of the party" are very
different matters one is for show the other for
use.
You can stand aside, sir.
TO BE CONTINUED
The LATE FLOODS IN ILLINOIS Gov. Ford