The true Democrat., 1854-07-12
MT. Crittenden's Speech in the
 Ward Trial.

ward Tr1al.
 In compliance with the wishes of many to see the speech of the Hon. JOHN J. CR1TTEN- DEN in defense of Mathew F. Ward, we give it this week in full.
 The New Orlenns Crescent gives the follow ing history of the affair as gathered from the evidence given on the trial:
 Professor Butler lived on terms of cordial friendship and intimacy with Mr. Robert J. Ward and his family. Having established a high school for boys, MT. Wards younger sons were sent to him as pupils. One of the assist ant teachers of the school was an Engishman of the name of Sturgus, who was suspected by the Wards to entertain no good feelings towards them as could hardly be expected, when 1t is borne ln mind how severely Matt. F. Ward had dealt with English character in his "Items"- One day one of the younger Wards came home complaining of being badly treated, of which proofs were presented in bruises and other marks-he was beaten by Mr. Sturgus An in- tervlew between MT. Butler and Mir. Ward, ST., followed, in which MT. Ward made condition, to which Mir. Butler assented, that his sons. if sent back to the school, were not to be f1ogued,
 After this interview MT. Sturgus, the Eng lshman, spoke to Mrs. Ward and requested her to say to MT. Matt. r. Ward that if he felt az. grleved he knew where to find him. This fact was the key of this whole affair." Matt E. Ward was lead to infer that he was threatened. that direct appeal was addressed to him to make up the matter and show himself man by assuming his brothers cause. Hence when the second case of whipping of one of his bro- thers occurred, in the absence of the parents, he felt that 1t was kind of bravado or challenge to him. Besides, his affection for his brother was warmly enlisted by the representation of the brother that had been whipped unustv. and disgraced before the whole school. Deter mined to investigate his brothers charge, and right his wrongs, and also inquire the cause of Mr. Buffers violation of his pledge to Mir. Ro- bert J. Ward, Matt proceeded to the school house, the place of business of MT. Butler and a quasi public place. Previous to going. in view of the hostility of the sturdy and power ful S5urgus, and of his own extreme debility, he purchased pistol which he had loaded.'
 MT. Crittenden in his argument, makes fre- quent reference to the testimony Of Robert J. Ward, jr., in which there is full relation of all the particulars of the interview which led to the fatal result. It is as follows
 When we reached the school house William went in for his books and on being called for, Prof. Butler came out of his room with lead pencil ill his hand we bade him good morning, and he bowed, in reply; Matt. then said: "I have called around Mir. Butler to have little con- versation with you;' he replied: "Walk into my private roon;' Matt said: "No, the matter about which wish to speak with you occurred here, and this is the proper place to speak of 1t. MT. Butler what are your ideas of justice which do you think the worse, the little boy who begs chestnuts and scatters the hulls on the floor, or my brother William who gives them to him?'' Butler replied: I will not be lnterrogated, sir" and at the same time button ing his coat up to the throat, and putting the pencil in his pocket Matt. said: II have asked civil question, and have right to a civil an- swer; which Is the worse the contemptbe lit- tie puppy who begs chestnuts and then lies aboutit it, or my brother William who gave them to him"' Butler answered: "There are no such boys here;' Matt. said: Then that mat ter IS settled; have another question to ask you called my brother liar, and I must have an apology for it;'' Butler answered: "I have no apology to make;'' Matt. asked: "Is your mind made up about that?" He replied: "It is: have no apology whatever to make;;" Matt then said You must hear my opinion of you. You are damned scoundrel and a coward.."- Butler sprang forward, pushed my brother back against the door, and struck him; am not quite positive as to the number of blows, but saw him strike twice; he then fired the pistol; did not see the pistol until he fired; Mr. Sturgus then came out of the room and advanced few steps; was excited, and thought he had some- thing in his hand with which he was going to attack brother; I drew my bowie knife, and went two or three steps towards him. telling nm to stand off; he then retreated."
 However obnoxious this testimony may be to suspicion because of its proceeding from brother, careful examination of all the testi mony given will show its faithfuness to the truth. The most material ponts,-that Matt. Ward was struck and pushed back against the door before he fired-are fully corroborated by the evidence of other witnesses and hv the dying declarations of Prof. Butler himself No one can rise up from a careful nerusal of the evidence and speeches as reported Inv MT. A. D. Richardson, with belief of Matt Wards guilt The act as defined by the law is clearly one of justi6able homicide, where in the party had reason to believe himself in jeopardy of life or limb" "The fact of the sturdy and physical condition of Prof Butler and the extreme debility of Ward gives con- frmation to this view of the case."
 0T MT. Frederic Kemball, from Harrison county, Ohio, went to Steubenville on Wednes- day last, by railway, with his wife and nineteen chiktren-twenty-o in all It is said that he owns enough land in this State to give each of