New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-06-30
+ The Ward Trial still.


The Ward Trial Still.
Matt Ward killed a man in fight. As soon
as the deed was done, and he was in Jail, mum
Der of persons connected with the Louisville
press-headed by a man whose wife's cousin
married the cousin of the killed mans wife, Tor
who was related in some such close mannero
commenced a systematic attack upon him, ar
kept it up until the day of his trial So great
was the prejudice created by these jour-ais' 'la'
in Louisville, where the crime was somnitlea--
where Wards family had cors.aheiy residea'
where he himself had made his home, where he
had friends, and where he had made reputation
for himseIf--in Lop;sville he was obliged to ask
for 4 chang Of 4senue, and the Judge of the
court allowed it. because it would have been i'm
possible, 70 have found a jury there competentto
try him; so much had the minds of the people
been excited against him.
The trial came on in q distant part of the
State. Still the cry was kept up against him
still he was followed by persecution. Men who
had known him all his life-men of distinction
in private and public life-men who had asso-
ciated with him and been the recipients of his
hospitality and the friendship of his father
volunteered to defend him. No sooner was this
proffered return for kindness and friendship
made known, than the whole pack took up the
cry against them, too--and client and counsel
were. alike assailed, alike abused, alike Sian
dered. No man could approach him, or speak
to him, or. assist him. who was not looked upon
as his accessory or his accomplice.
Upon the trial it was proved that his younger
brother-a mere child in years-had been
whipped by his school master that, in company
with another younger brother, he called upon
the school-master; that he demanded an ex-
PLANTATION that it was refused that an alter
cation took place; then q scutie, and that then
Ward, who was on crutches, shot his antagonist,
who died almost Immediately afterwards
During the trial the press to which we allude
was constantly vomiting forth abuse against
him and his counsel and his family and his
friends. No one dear to him escaped.
He was acquitted Out Of the immediate
neighborhood Of this manufactured opinion, no
one thought much about it. Like occurrences
had happened before, as they will probably
happen again. Men had been shot for less,
nothing more had been thought of it. So, it
was considered, would be the case in this in
stance. Every one, at o distance at least, knew
exactly what the termination of the affair would
be; every one was entirely prepared for it, and
thought the verdict would end the affair
1t was q mistake. As soon as the YER
dict was announced, the Judge who presided
and who hasreputation at home, was denounced
the jury were riddled with abuse; they were
bribed, it was said; they had foresworn them.
selves; they had proved traitors to the trust
conhded to their care, and one hardly knows
what else besides was not said against them.
This was, in some degree, to be expected
For, although it is generally, we believe, tn,
custom in this country to leave the question o
guilt or innocence to jury, and to adopt theil
verdict, it was not to be hoped that they, VIII,
had been so violent and yindictive against him
should cool down at once, They were allowe'
to go on, and as day after day passed over an
they still pursued the same course, pity bega
to be felt for their rantings, and they were lei
alone.
And still they continue. Haven't they no
gone far enough 1t is impossible to pick u
a Louisville paper that has not some allusion
this unfortunate young man. Every mornin
the same stream of abuse is poured upon h
head 4zm, o~
Itstrikes us that they should stop. The cour
try has had enough of it Leaving out of tt
question the fact that these men who are
bitter against him. have blows to take, as we
as blows to give; that the counsel who yolul
teered to defend him, are, in some peoples ey
at least, in better position than those wi
volunteered to assist in getting him hung al
leaving out Of the question, toe, the right to Il
claim OF morality, which these men arrogate
themselves Tor the course they have pursu
towards him, and IN exciting the mob to alta,
his faith RS deserted house, and wreak their We
geance upon innocent window panes and unco
taminated lapenicas, We think the matter shou
be put stop to; because he was acquitted
those appointed to try him--because it is usele
as well as cruel, to persecute and calumnia
ainan when hei many miles away, and unab
from the state OF his health, to protect himse
and because we think the duty of the press
notiollowed out, and that its power is altogeth
prostituted, when before, and during, and after
public prosecution, it attempts to manufactu
apuolc opinion upon the guilt or innocence
an accused; when it tries to influence a iu
legally summoned and duly sworn, and compos
Of those persons whom the law selects; oil
when, after the verdict, it attacks the Jud
who tried, the jury who acquitted, and the m
who has been declared gniltless Of the crime la
to his charge. When the trial is ended, tn
should the verdict be aoquiesedin; and the m
being acquitted and not indictable again,
hunt him down-to worry him--to follow him
his retirement with taunts which he cannot ,
taliate, and abuse which he cannot resent
subVersive Of every principle of justice, as il
contrary to every thing like honor and g
taste
We call the attention of the members
Companies and c of the National Guards
the advertisement in another column, calm
special meeting Of the two Companies, for
transaction of important business.