Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-01

OF course, rush of the terrified boys, ana
Robert Ward drew his Bowie knife, which he
brandished, ordering them all to stand Off,
The Wards left the room; Butler was carried
home, and died that night A Kentucky Jury
has decided under oath that he was not muir
dered
tits quite unnecessary to go into any analy-
sis the evidence. The only point ostensihfy
relied ON in Ward defence was, that after be-
ing intentionally provoked to do SO, by being
called a odd sooundrel and coward, by
man who had armed himself with two loaded
pistols, one OF which was clenched in his hand
at the instant-Butler struck him; and the
only evidence in support of that assertion, IS
given by his brother and second, acho stood oy
ruth boa0ie-kasife, to aid him, and ioAo as az
der Indictment for his share IN the act. Ii But
Ter did strike Ward, there's not an honest Jury,
nor an honest man, out of Kentucky at all
events, who would say that Wards act IN
shooting him, was one whit the less murder.
But as the fact was not proved, II was LETT to
Jury IN Kentucky, who had predetermined 10
perjure themselves, to assume it.
y The facts Of the case had nothing whatever
to do with the jury's verdict. That was con-
trolled by other considerations. Butler was
schoolmaster, from the North, dependent on
his living, and without high, influential social
connections. The Wards belonged to the
" aristocracy" of Kentucky; that is, they
were rich; they made great pretensions to
fashion; their mother gave dashing parties;
they belonged to high life; they had large
circle of personal friends; and great many
very respectable people felt a sort of personal
interest in not having them hung because
they would share, in some degree, the foul
disgrace. Their acquittal, therefore, was to
be secured at any cost. The newspapers were
first muzzled-those of them, at least, which
would not favor the superstition Of their inno-
cence. Letters extolling their character, and
seeking tocreate public sympathy on their be-
half, were sent to this city, and published
here. Other journals on the spot seconded
the movement. The ablest counsel that mon
ey would command were secured for the de-
fence. John ]. Crittenden volunteered his
services in the same behalf, and it was osten-
tatiously proclaimed that SO eminent, and SO
high-minded man would not volunteer to
defend guilty man. The trial Is removed
from the scene of the homicide-se that the
prisoners shall not be tried by those who knew
them best--but is taken to distant county.
The Press is forbidden, against all law and
right, to publish report Of the proceedings
while the trial is in progress. Every particle
of evidence in regard to Buffers character is
excluded-while perfect army of witnesses,
clergymen, colonies, members of Congress,
editors, Cabinet officers, &C., &C., who had
enjoyed the social intimacy of the Wards, tes-
titled ostentatously to the prisoners mildness
of temper-declaring him, with anxious and
undisguised exaggeration, to be gentle and
amiable to fault. To Thomas F. Marshall,
whose notorious character and antecedents
designated him unmistakably as qualified for
-
the lads, who were the only witnesses, into
such confusion as should nullify their testi-
mony: while Mr. Crittenden undertook the
management of such legal obstacles as might
embarass their proceedings. Mr.. Crittenden,
it will be remembered, also appeared as the
volunteer defender of Monroe Edwards, who
also belonged to the aristocracy, but who, UNI
fortunately, had his trial out of Kentucky.
All these preparations, laboriously made
and steadily followed up, were for the purpose
not of determining the truth, which is the
only proper object OF judicial inquiry, NOT of
ascertaining accurately and truly whether
Matt. Ward did or did not murder Butler,-
but to secure IMMUNITY for his act. This
whole drama was enacted to induce the Jury
to affirm a tGJsehood. Audit has succeeded.
We do not believe John J. Crittenden enter
tains in his he lrt the shadow of doubt that
Butler was murdered. We do not believe
that a single man on that Jury believes, that
the man they have acquitted is innocent Of
the crime laid to his charge.
We regard the issue of this trial as of the
gravest importance. 1t proves that in one
State of this Union, Wealth is stronger than
Justice that Kentucky's most distinguished
sons take to their hearts, and shield with all
their power, murderer who has money and
social position at his command and that I'M
der their auspices legal tribunals and the most
solemn forms of Justice, have been made to
confer impunity on one of the BLACKLIST and
most wanton murders which the annals of
crime record.-N. r. TtmnS.