Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-04-06

fOOtll W uO u WI X WHICH VIC WON " " NSi
ceal Was it brought there to fasten susp-
cion on Dr. Websterl Where is the enemy
of Dr. Webster who could attempt such a
thing, He is an amiable man, and no such
enmi,y has appeared. There are two ways
of impeaching a witness. One is 10 bring
counter-testimony 10 show his falsehood'-
That is fair, and can be met by corroborating
testimony But the counsel for the defence
have not taken tha, way TO attack Mr. Little
field, because they know that ii they dld,
they weud be directly, like unskilliul engi-
neers hois,ed by their own petard No
they have come forward in their argument
and attacked his testimony as an improbable
story. shall reply to that by and by
shall now do my part 10 vindicate Mr.. Little
field, and it shall be no fault of mine if he
suffer under the cruel imputaions that have
come forth from the prisoner. If he j, win.
dicated tina, is an end TO the defence of DR..
Webster.
He gave himself up TO the fullest search OF
the police; every room and closet and pocket
of his premises were searched He has told
a story during n whole day on the stand,
which stands altogether uncontradicted. If
he had falsfed there were the police Off
GERS DR., Haniford, Mr. Grant, the Odd Eel
lows Lodge, and many others, who could
have been brought 10 show him up. The
counsel remarks that MIR. Littlefeld had
full conviction Of the guilt Of Dr.. Webster on
Sunday, and did not act upon it. MIR. Little
field is not man who has the best command
of language. He might describe suspicion
a belief. He met DR.. Webster-noticed his
downcast eyes when he spoke to him, and
the remarkable statement that DR.. Webster
paid 10 Dr. Parkman money, and he grabbed
il up and ran off without counting it. Was
il impossible that he should thus be led to
suspect, and suspect strongly? He did sus-
pect, and mentioned it 10 his wife as be-
lief, and she discouraged it. Ii was nothing
but suspicion. He had every motive TO
proceed prudenlly. II was not till the clouds
began to gather around the college, and pub
lie feeling threatened mob, that he was
brought TO resolution 10 act vigorously
Mr.. Lttlefeld has, throughout, been con-
fronted with DR.. Webster. The inferior was
the superior Littefed has spoken out
Webster has been silent in his presence
He had only spoken against him behind his
back.
The counsel for the defendant has objected
to LitteGeld's impety, for accepting tur
key, for solemn and reverential dinner Of
murderer. But the paihos is all lost, for
there is no proof that he ate that turkey
He dined away fiom home that day But
could he have refused it without the suspi-
cions of DR.. Webster! Mr.. Litle6eld was
in DR.. Holmes lecture room in five minutes
after DR.. Parkman entered the building he
was with DR.. Holmes washing up his glasses,
and assisting him till a quarter past two; he
then came down stairs with Dr. Holmes he
then went 10 work preparing the furnaces for
the next day; Mr.. Bosworth found him in
his working dress; afterwards, towards o.
clock Mr. Petite, transacted business with
him he afterwards dressed himself, aud
went 10 Mr.. Grants dancing academy, and
was there during the evening. We see what
he was about and where he was that after
noon and evening. Where was DR.. Webster?
If MIR. Littlefield had had the remains to dis
pose of he had the keys OF the dissecting
room. That was the place where he could
conceal them. 1t has been asked, ''Why did
not DR.. Webster place them there We have
several reasons TO offer" First, he had not
the key second, he would have been ex-
posed TO the view Of the students in attempt
ing it.
One thing is to ho premsad, in consider
ing the conduct of DR.. Webster. We may
SAY he might have done this or that, but we
must remember the whole history of crime
shows that the criminal is foolish. He may
think he is doing the most adroit and
cunning thing, while his conduct would seem
to be folly in child of ten years This is
the nvariable order of Providence and law
of our nature Having body 10 dispose of,
man naturally thinks Of burning it, as a
way which leaves no traces. 1t was Dr.
Webster's object, supposing him the perpe-
TRAITOR Of the deed, to avoid exposure as well
as TO destroy. II was exposure that he fear
ed most of all Ii was part of his plan TO APP
the whole history Of crime, no man has sue
ceeded better. We have had evidence of
his power in this direction during this very
trial, in this room, during all these exciting
scenes when his daughters were present to
testify TO his life, and when the public prose-
cutor was too much affected TO ctoss-exam-
inc, we have not seen him shed tear du-
ring the whole awful process, from striking
the fatal blow till now.
He has not once blanched, faltered or be-
trayed any feeling till exposures confronted
him; then he dropped, then he betrayed a
suffering which no inrocent man could have
felt. He lay in agony for three days, then
he rallied himself 10 the conflict again Dr.
Webster's character has been brought here
in his defence, but how can we rely on the
outward culture when we know not what is