Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-07


CATASTROPHE OF THE GARDINER CASE.
The famou, Gardiner has been brought sudden
ind agc close. After elaborate and thorough examna.
;iun by able counsel Of oil the testimony which The uulot
vigilance aud activity could brns 10 bear upon tho case
randercd verdict of guilty agan, tine prisoner But.
Hecnon by saici1s5n 5na lss9!epGss Of s G a ia
a,o the custody Of the ocsrs OF the law he was seseo
with convusions, which speedily terminated In death hs
BODY wa. subjected examination ond the result OF tho
autopsy Is the conviction that his death was caused oy
strychnine the most active aud subtle OF pulsons
The trial of Gardiner 10 all respects the most extra
ordinary criminal prosecution which has taken place 10
ibis county The specific charge aeans! the prisoner was
pe,ury-no very enormous otsncei but inc
faot of the case the fraudulent absracopo nearly
half million Of dollars from the public treasury, win olnef
colr. circumstances developed 10 the progress ot 'ne
ol Justly cne il conspicuous place n the catalogue
OF causes ctlebres.
Nobody can contemplate tho conduct OF Gardiner
the uiir without conceivng an admiration o1
the qualities OF courage and sasacy which h" displayed III
so eminent degree To construc. an Immense and cone
rem, system Of evidence fictitious bass-o weave az
oHnte diversity of detail Into consistent story ano 30 70
select and harmonee every minute PARTICULAR hat ne Reen
est and subes, inecc, could hardly detect flaw or break
in tho whole flbric surely Implies power ot comprehen-
sion and patient analysis which the greatest men rarely pos
,ess The foundation OF GARDENERS claim was pure nctoni
vet tho abes, counsel bs.j when they sought IN the
multiplicity of details involved 10 tho plot sorne nconsls'
toncy or incompseness which should reveal the fraud
No less extraordinary tho courage and forlitude
which Gardiner displayed throughout the trial. The most
sudden vIcissudes Of fortune, lifting him at one no 10 he
highest elevation Of hope and at another sinking him into
the lowest depths of despair did not shaSe h' n'o-
cbe resolution. From frs TO ln: he bore hmfeH with
courage which parook Of tho heroic His epirt sank
under tho burden Of inamy bu, be mainIaned even 10
| dea,h perfect command OF him'elf II he was w!tG.
out honor he ye, had that prldo OF soul which 'hrnR'
no, from tho .harp antidote asanst disgrace The con-
ss,epcy OF his character vndcaed 10 the manner Of
his death.
In person small Gardiner supplies another Instance OF
pca, strength of will working the basis OF delicate phy'
scal Organization.
The chief criminal in this great conspiracy ogalns Inc
oublc treasury has feauY expated his guilt but his ac-
compces have not yet been brought to Justice Nobody
besves that Gardiner the only agent in tho fraud which
enriched lawyers the bar and judges on the bench while
many contend thlt he bat the passive instrument OF
aber and more influential men, The plot should be traced
out in all its ranifcaons and guilty beneficiary Oh
the Gardiner claim should be exposed and be made 10 dis
gorge bis gain For the credit Of tho country aud
the ends of Justice the government Will not rect
| ,,t,h tho copvic 0f Gardiner