Washington sentinel., 1854-06-03

zen. Men, who having the power to act efficient
ly, permit themselves to be overawed by law
lessness and stand idle whilst riot works its
wicked purposes, can frame no tenable plea of
Jurisdiction or excuse. We say, therefore, that
stigma rests on the city of Boston, no matter
how small the abolition minority may be, be-
cause United States troops had to be used to
rescue law, demanded by the Constitution it
SELF from mob Of canting hypocrites and BIAS
phemous fanatics.
NDr The following letter from the Hon. j.
j. Crittenden explains the manner in which its
distinguished author became one Of the coun-
| sci Of Matt. f. Ward, of Kentucky. Mr. Crit
tenden's letter is a mere private explanation in
answer to the inquiries Of a personal friend, and
shows, what every honest and sensible man
knew before, that his course needed no defence.
No one but few deluded idiots with minds in
famed by abolition artifces would believe for
moment that Mr.. Crittenden had transcribed
the rules Of his profession or misused his high
talents and eminent reputation. It was plain
even before the trial Of young Ward that there
was concerted effort to insure his conviction,
no matter what the evidence might be, by in
flaming the public mind against him in ad-
vance. The undertaking failed; its authors
have turned their fangs upon those who aided
in foiling them, and have urged to the commits
sion of crimes infinitely worse than that they
impute to the victim which has escaped them.
ST. LOUIS, Nay IA, 1854.
DEAR HI. Your letter of the 2dinst.
was received few days ago, and you may be
assured that the motives which dictated it are
properly understood and appreciated.
You desire information in relation to my ap-
pearancc as counsel in the late trial of young
Ward, in order that my friends may be better
able to vindicate my conduct from the unjust
censure which, without reflection, has been cast
| upon it.
have had nothing to do with that case ex-
cept professionally, as counsel for the accused.
| NV connexion with it may be stated in few
words. Details are unnecessary and imma-
| terial.
| Relations Of private friendship had, from
my earliest manhood, existed between me and
many Of the members of the family, to which
belonged Robert ]. Ward, esq, the father Of
| the accused.
He and had been personal friends-and a
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 de-
sired should appear as counsel for his sons,
then imprisoned and awaiting their trial under
heavy load of prejudice and excitement.
Could l as q professional man, could as o
| friend, have refused to doso? No, could not.
The very responsibility of appearing in the
case under the existing excitement, made it the
more necessary for me to do it, or appear to be
a timid lawyer and worthless friend
After considering of the matter, and the re-
peated solicitation of common friends, | de-
termined not to reject the appeals made to me,
but to appear in the case, and render to the
accused such professional services as | could.
1 I determined also that / would receive no fee
for my services / believed that might ex-
act almost what amount of compensation i
pleased, and that was felt by as a reason why
/ / should take none. shrank from the idea or
i appearance even of bargaining with a dis.
tressed friend, or specializing upon his misfor-
tunes or his generosity. Having come to these
conclusions, ] informed Mr.. Matt f. Ward of
them by note addressed to him, some few
weeks before his trial, and received from him
al letter Of grateful acknowledgment. His father
was then absent in New Orleans, as / sup.
/ posed.
accordingly appeared for him, and defended
him with what ability could but | neither
did, nor said anything that was not within the
strict limits of an honest and honorable dis.
charge Of professional duty.
/ The trial took place at Elizabethtown, the
seat Of justice Of Hardin county, about eighty
or one hundred miles from my residence in
Frankfort.
/ / had nothing to do with the preparation of
the case or the selection Of jury. These pro-
fessional duties were performed by other coun-
sci better acquainted with the facts of the case
and the persons presented as jurors. l have
no reason to doubt that these duties were per-
formed in manner becoming the profession,
and the honorable character Of the counsel on
whom they devolved. / may say that had
nothing to do with the case but TO argue it be.
fore the court and jury. The trial, so far as l
know or could observe, was, in all respects,
fairly conducted.
i AT the time engaged to appear in the case,
had heard nothing Of it but what might have
been gathered from common rumor.
/ have done nothing but what my judgment
and my feelings approved. have in the ex-
ercise Of my profession appeared as counsel for
friend, and the son Of a friend, and for that !