The true Democrat., 1854-07-12

before you pronounce verdict of guilty-a verdict which is to cut asunder all the tender cords that bind flower of his days and in the midst of his hopes, to shame and to death. Such verdict must often come up in your recollections live for ever in your minds.
 And in after days, when the wild voice of clamor that fills the air, is hushed when memory shall review this busy scene, should her accusing voice tell you you have dealt hardly with brothers life-that you have sent him to death, when you have doubt whether It IS not your duty to restore him to if-O what moment that must be-how like cancer, will that remembrance prey upon your hearts,
 But If, on the other hand, having rendered con- trary verdict you feel that there should have been conVlcmon-thdt sentiment will be easily satisfied; you will say, If erred it was on the side of mer cy; thank GoD, incurred no hazard by condelnning man thought innocent" How different the me- mory from that which may come in any calm moment, py day or by night, knocking at the door of your neafts' ana reminding you that in case where you Weie doubtful by your verdict you sent an innocent man to disgrace and to death.
 Oh, gentlemen, pronounce no such. beseech you, but on the most certain, clear and solid grounds If you err for your own sake, as well as hs keep the side of humanity and him from so odishonorable fate-preserve yourselves from so bitter memory 1t will not do then, to plead to your conSciences any subtle techncalities and nice logc-such cunning of the mind will never satisfy the heart of an honest man. The case must be one that speaks for itself that requires reasoning-that without argument appeals to the understanding and strikes conviction into the very heart. Unless it does rhis you abuse yourseves-abuse your own consciences and irrevo- cably wrong your fellow man by prOnouncing him guilty It is life-it is blood with which you are to deal and beware that you peril not your own peace
 am no advocate, gentlemen, of any criminal li- centiousness-l desire that society may be protected that the laws of my country may be obeyed enforc ed. Any other stae of things 1 should deplore but have examined this case, l think. carefully and calmly; see mucL to regret--much that wish had never happened-but see no evil Intentions and mo- tives-no wicked malignity, and therefore, no mur- der-no felony.
 There Is another consideration of which we should not De unmindful. We are all conscious of the in- hrmiles of our nature-we are all subject to them. Inc law makes an allowance for such infrmites.- The AUTHOR of being has been pleased to fashion Us out of great and mighty elements which make us ou htle lower than the angels; but he has mingled in our composition weakness and passions. Will He punish Us for frailites which naure has stamped up on Us or for their necessary results The distinction oc'ween these, and acts that proceed from wicked and malignant heart is founded eternal justice; and m the words of the Psainist, He knoweth our ir..ine-he remembereth that are dust" Shall not the ule lie has established, be good enough for
 udge by!
 Genslenen, the case is closed. Again ask you to el>lder Il well before you pronounce verdict which shall consign this prisoner to grave of ignominy and dshonor. This is your fellow -citizen-a youth ot promise the rose of his family the possessor of all kind and virtuous and manly qualities. It is the blood of Il kentuckian you called upon to she'd Tn. blood that flows in his veins has come down fir m those noble pioneers who laid the foundations
 for the gre tness and ory of Statei is the blood oi Face who have never spared 1t. when demanded Dy their country It Is his fate you are to de- clde. excite no poor. unmanly sympathy-I appeal to no low: grovelling spirit. He is a man-you are men-and only want that sympathy which man can give to man.
 will not detain you longer. But you know, and It Is ghc you should know. the terrible suspense in which some of these hearts must beat. during your absence It Is proper for you to consider this for ill Sth d case all the feelings of the mind and heart should sit in council together Your duty is vet to be done perform it you ready to answer for it here and hereafter. Perform it calmly and dispas- slonatey, remembering that vengeance can give no satisfaction to any human being But if you exercise It in this case, it will spread black midnight and de- spalr over many aching hearts. May the Cop of all mercy be with you in your deliberations assist you in the performance of your duty and teach YOU to judge your fellow as you hope to be judged hereafter.
 Another word. gentlemen. and have done. My services in this case volunteered I had hardly expected that unimportant fact could excite ton or subject me to reproach. What. shall all the friends of this young be driven from him d; such an hour. l had known him from his boyhood T had known his family from mine. And ii. in the recol- lectons Of the pastin the memory of our early in- the ties that bound Us together Thought there was sufficient render il proper whose business Is 1t: Whom does it concern. but my client and myself! am volunteer-I offered my services they were accepted and have given them in this feeble way
 thank you kindly for your attention. during my long and uninterestlng discourse. l only ask that you will examine this case carefully and impartiav for Tn your justice and your understanding, have deep and abiding confidence