The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-11-14

SVCty ~ DOtoOA 80 70 ~
previous to her being under the influence
Of Ideson. He said witnesses were at hand
ready 10 testify if called on, 10 all the es-
sential points in the case, but the Court
ruled that as the suit had been brough.
simply for "loss of SERVICE" and the other
party we're not prepared for further de-.
fence, no evidence was admissible except
what might relate 10 abe abduction and con-
cealment.
After the testimony was submitted the
counsel argued the case, at some length.
Mr.. Carter, on behalf of the defendant,
moved for a nou-suit, LIST, on the ground
that the legality Of the indentures had not
been proved I'd, that no specific value of
the services was proved 81, that the girl,
by her evidence shows that she vas una
bic to render services to any one during
the time sued for, and consequently M
damages could be recovered.
Motion was denied, and the court refus-
ed to notice Defendants exception to his
ruling, as respects the last point Of the mo-
lion.
MI. Carter represented his client as
a deeply perseeuted mam-said he had
first been brought before a Police CouH,s
ed, a suit had been commenced in the Cir
cult Court, also the present suit, each de.
manding heavy damages. He thought
The case must be clear 10 the minds OF the
Jury that the whole design was to &c,
%money-to %injure him and his afflicted wife
and children. He had previously iutima-
led that he was prepared in the next suit,
to bring charges against the character of
the injured victim Of his client, aud at one
time had cross questioned her, to show as
he said, that she might have enticed him /
1.-THE Court treated this last remark with
merited contempt.l Mr.. G. insisted that at
most the plaintiff could only recover for
the actual loss of tine. 1t is said by some
! of the reporters that on the whole he made
the best of a bad case-but to US his de-
fence appeared weaker than a web Of gos-
Samer.
MIR. Dresser followed in an able and
impressive speech. He recounted the ev>
idence, dwell upon the aggravalion OF The
wrongs inflicted, the dep!orable lameness
of the law, in providing no other redress
for such fragrant wrongs as these, than
simply the bridging Of an action for . loss
of service a mere pi,tance 10 be doled out
10 dollars and cents, as an equiyae.t for
loss OF Virtuei He referred 10 the case
of young Mercer, Corlies, Amelia Nor
man. aud Ford Of ST. Louis-(who had
taken the life Of the seducer Of his daugh.
teri 10 show what is the present state OF
public sentiment, when in the absence OF
law individuals take the law into their
own hands. He said, however much to
be regretted it might appear. a Jury oil
twelve men could not be found who would
convict for murder where circumstances
existed like those in question. Penn.
New Jersey, Michigan, aud several Of
the New England states have laws on This
subiect-but it is we'll known that ia the
Empire state there is no criminal law up
! and vet what is done to remedy The mat
teri Petitions have raped at the door O.
our Legislature from year 10 year, from
the beginning to the close OF its sitlings
but the representatives Of the people have
not sufficiently felt the necessity Of The
case to give US a law. Aud this is oul
condition. glorious condition Gen
tlemen of the Jury, what redress has The
pour girl before You if none Can be found
10 a court like thisl True,she has nc ia
Their nor brother, nor wealth nor influence
bu, she has rights, dear as those Of you
own daughters-,hat have been %wontonlS
invaded.-Make the case your own, an
ask yourselves how large a verdict yot
would demand at the hands Of justice.
ia the course OF his address Mr.. Dresser
several times uttered expressions, in rela
tion to the guilt Of the defendant calcula'
ted 10 wither the soul, but he retained ar
unabashed countenance. and exhibited 9
great degree of hardihood, Mr.. d. spoke
il appropriate terms Of the %irreparabie in
iury he had done 10 his wife, and children
aud annihi!aIed almost at a glance the
objections raised by the opposing council
to the action brought agains. HIM. Judge
Oak!y 10 charging commended the mo-
tives and conduc, Of the Plaintiff, and ad-
mRled the strocity OF the crimes proved
against the defendant, but said as the ac-
ton was for loss Of service the verdict
must be for the actual damage sustained
during four months concealment. The
Jury, as the result shows, ia estimating
the actual damage regarded SOM Other
considerations than the mere loss Of SER
vice. and we have good reason to suppose
that another Court, when they shall be
put in possession Of all the facts will also
award such a verdict as to assure the THE
of virtue that he cannot prowl at large
~preying at will upon the poor and defence
less, with none to cross his track, set a
mark upon him, and hold him up to the
public gaze as the Ioathed enemy of his
, race, deserving. while unrepentant, 70 bt
u.uLoJ ,v;tb criminals of the hiohaS