Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-06-15

Number 80.


LErrER FROM Mn. ORIrrENDEx.-The
following letter is published in the New
Orleans Picayune Of May 25. The
friends of Mr.. c., to whom it was ad-
dressed in that city, are responsible for
publication which was not contemplated
or desired by the writer. Can any one
read the letter and eensure Mr.. Critten-
den: - -
ST. Louis, May IA, 1854.
Dear Il; Your letter of the od
INST, was received few DAYS AGO and
you may be assured that the mot;vss
which dictated it are properly under
stood and appreciated.
You desire information in relation IL
my appearance as counsel in the late
trial of young Ward, in order that NV
friends may be better able to vindicate
my conduct from the unjust ceusure
which, without reflection, has been cast
upon it.
have had nothing to do with that
case except professionally, as counsel
for the accused. Details are unnecessa-
~ and immaterial.
Relations of private friendship had
from my earliest manhood existed be-
tween me and many Of the members of
the family to which belonged Robert ].
Ward, Esq, the father of the accused.
He and had long been personal
friends, and friend he was to be loved
and valued.
When he was in the deepest distress
and agony it was made known to me
that he desired should appear as coun-
sci for his sons, then Imprisoned and
awaiting their trial under heavy load
of prejudice and excitement. Could I
as professional man, could as a
friend, have refused to do so? No,
could not.
The very responsibility of appesring
in the case, under the existing excite
ment, made it the more necessary for
me to do it, or appear to be a timid
lawyer and worthless friend.
After considering the matter, and the
repeated solicitations of common friends,
| determined not to reject the appeals
made to me, but to appear in the case
and render to the accused such profess
sional services as | could. determined
also that would receive no fee for nv
services, / believe that / might exact
almost what amount of compensation |
pleased, and that was felt by me as a
reason why should take none.
shrank from the idea or appearance even
of bargaining with distressed friend,
or specializing upon his misfortunes or
his generosity. Having come to these
l informed Mr. Matt. F.
Ward of them by note addressed to
him some few weeks before his trial,
and received from him letter of CRATE
ful acknowledgements. His father was
then absent in New Orleans, as sup
posed.
| accordingly appeared for him, and
defended him with what ability 1 could;
but neither did or said anything that
was not within the strictest limits of an
honest and honorable discharge of pro-
duty.
The trial took place at Elizabethtown.
he seat of justice of Hardin county,
about eighty or one hundred miles from
ny residence in Frankfort.
had nothing to do with the prepara-
ion of the case or the selection of a
ury. These professional duties were
by other counsel better ac-
Iuainted with the facts of the case and
he persons presented as jurors. Ihave
10 reason to doubt that these duties
we're performed in manner becoming
he profession, and the honorable charac-
er of the counsel on whom they de-
Tolved. l may say that l had nothing
% do with the case but to argue it be-
fore the court and jury. The trial, SO
far as know or could observe, was, in
all respects, fairly conducted.
At the time engaged to appear in
The case, I had heard nothing of it but
what might have been gathered from
common rumor.
l have done nothing but what my
Judgment and my feelings approved. I
have in the exercise of my profession
as counsel for friend, the son
Of friend, and for that l have no de-
fence to make. / did not intrude my
self into the cause. I appeared in it
only because they wished it.
l am your friend, &C.,
j. ]. CRITTENDEN.
L. H., Esq, New Orleans.