The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-17
Correspondence OF the unionl
The Treason Trials al Phii~dsIp ni..

a.,
ded very elaborate argument TO the jury the defence
OF The prisoner Hanaway His Speech The abstract
very able one but II was rather both in point of form
as we'll substance essay the law OF treason than
argument addressed to the court and jury in this parlcu
lar case The early history Of the law Of treason as
existed in England in ancient and violent times and the
various changes and authorizations which il has under
gone in more modern times. were carefully and elabo-
rateiy reviewed He showed that within very few
years the law OF treason has undergone very sensible
and salutary change in that country and that the doc
trnes acted on, even in the time of Lord Mansfield have
been greatly modified and liberazed lie then reviewed
the law as LAID down in the OF the western nd
northern insurgents in this State and in the trial of Aaron
Barr insisting that the authorities acted upon in those
cases had since been ovefruled in England and that
consequently they could not be regarded as binding
here. Mr. Reads speech occupied hours in the
delivery; and although it Contained much that was ex-
traneous, it nevertheless most able effort and will
contain OF information valuable 10 the student of
this branch OF the law. 1t is universally conceded that
winded speeches and dry Rotations of law are not
the most Interesting things in life especially to ladies'
The court, jury, and bar, very generally bore the nic
ton manully. They saw that, in the natural order of
things, il must cease, and they resolved in seamans
phrase TO cast anchor and ride out the storm" But
when al last, The long agony and the verdict
rendered. the accused manifested the full force OF the
maxim praise the bridge that carries as safe over"
When wrote you last informed you that the closing
speeches the opposite side to be made by Messrs
Cooper and Stevens but the length OF Mr. Reads speech
and little impotence manifested by the court, in
duced the latter decline speaking, much the disap
pointment OF citizens, who had been for several
days the 9ui uiue TO hear him. Mr.. Stevens, with
extravagant notions the subject involved in this
trial. is notwithstanding very able man, and of
the effective and eloquent orators not only in Penn
sylvania, but the country. His speech would have
doubtless been very finished piece of eloquent decla-
hut olJ hap ~
remain in embryo, TO the sad disappointment of the
ladies who graced the court-r with their presence
Mr.. Stevens, after making very few remarks in expa
nation of his declining to speak, and citing add
tional authorities, sat down. and followed by Mr..
Cooper, who closed the the part Of the United
States. r#-...a
Mr. Cooper commenced by showing the importance of
the case, only 10 the prisoner whose life was at
stake in the issue OF the verdict, but likewise TO the
peace honor and welfare OF the country He admitted with
the counsel for the prisoner that the Union strong
strong in the associations and memories which were
gathered about its orgnsrong in the affections of the
people, and in its intrinsic excellence but contend
ed that, the States refused TO perform their constlu
tonal obligations, agitaons and ar,-bunngs would
ensue-that these would beget dsafeclion, which would
produce in its turn weakness, and loosenng OF the bonds
which bind them together. Proud, he said the edfce
of the Union wasgoriousy as il stood erect amongst
the naons-ifthe waves of agitation TO continue to
dash against lis base, would al length be undermined
Vandal hands busy in dcfacing the columns which
upheld III and although single hand strong
enough 10 throw down the edi6ce might nevertheless
be pulled pieces stone by stone Everything that had
tendency weaken sunder the bonds OF Union was
deprecated in glowing terms Its inestimabe value TO
ourselves, the example ii affords 10 the down-trodden
nations. were all enforced with zeal and energy.
After concluding the exordum, which designed TO
impress the jury with the weight OF their responsibility
ho adad tn he ara a he arr
ment on the law was by no means so elaborate, or
characterized by such depth Of research, tina, OF Mr.
Read bat was distinguished for ceaness conciseness,
and point and for its direct applicability 10 the under
consideration In the OF his remarks, and in an
swer TO what he regarded nvidous and unwarrant
able reflection on the part which Maryland had taken in
the trial. he pronounced beautiful eulogium Gov.
Love- the patriotic chief magistrate Of the State, and at
the same time administered in manner peculiarly his
own, Calling rebuke TO those OF the counsel who in
duged in the offensive reflections himself and his col.
league, Mr. Brent As eloquent declaimer, Mr. Cooper
nav not rank as high Mr. Stevens but in the arrange
meni analysis and argument Of facs in the facility of
application, and the convincing manner in which he
impresses theIn MIR Cooper was not ranked by any OF
the counsel engaged either side and in nvectve,
when he chooses indulge in il, he is sad-for have
not heard him except in this and in the Kelly murder case
some two years since-to be quite match for his old
master Some passages OF arms were anticipated between
each of the gentlemen seemed ndisposed aoul of
the other.
In this trial good deal OF ability displayed on
both sides The prosecution was very ably and skifuy
conducted by Messrs Cooper, Brent. and Ashmead and
the defence equally by Messs Read, Stevens, Cuyer,
and Lewis Nor must omit do the justice to say that
the former gentlemen ably assisted by Messrs Geo
W. Ashmead and Jones LUDLOW, and the latter by Messrs
Jackson and Pearce OF Mr. Brent have heretofore
spoken al length He is an able and astule lawyer
Before this reaches you, you will have the change
OF Judge Grer which regard as mastery production.
The law az he has rpled ii, is undoubtedly correct
have heard no LAWYER dissent from ts doctrines except in
sing particular II this: His honor seems to lay some
stress upon the fact that il not proved the defendant,
or his alleged accompices knew that there any such
law in existence as the "fugve slave law Ignorance
OF the law is never received excuse but presume
the Judge intended this for more than an Argument to
show that the object OF the defendant and those parci
pa,ing with him. could not have been the overthrow Of
law which they did not know existed SD quere, as
10 their knowledge OF its existence out oil doors To
resist the execution OF law in single instance is
,anly not treason To constitute treason the object mus,
be 10 render the Law nngaory by force, by force to
ties did not know OF the existence Of the law. This
presume all the Judge intended by the insertion in his
charge OF The censured clause Yoo will thai he is very
severe on that class Of fanatics who sustain the hsher
law" notions and likewise the demagogues who pan
der 10 their preiudees In short sir, think you will
agree with me that these trials must disnfect the
phere and result in good to all portion OF our people
who needed il have received lesson they will