The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-06-16
LETTER FROM THE HON. JOHN J.
CRITTENDEN.


We find the following letter from the
Hon. John ]. Crittenden in relation to hi:
connection, as counsel in the Ward case, in
the N. o. Picayune of the 25th May. Its
statements will DO doubt be satisfactory tc
the cooler udgement of those who have beer
in such hast to condemn MIR. Crittenden. II
was written in reply to a letter from friend
enquiring into his connection with the
case:
ST. LOUIS, May IA, 1854.
Dear H. Your letter of the Cd inst
was received few days ago, and you may
be assured that the motives which dicta.
ted it are properly understood and appre.
ciated.
You desire information in relation to my
appearance as counsel in the late trial OF
young Ward, in order that my friends may
be better able to yindicate my conduit from
the unjust censure which, without reflection,
have been cast upon it.
Ihave had nothing to do with that except
professionally, as counsel for the accused
Details are unnecessary and immaterial! 3
Relations of private friendship had from
my earliest manhood existed betweenfne and
many of the members of the family to which
belonged Rob. ]. Ward, Esq, the father of
the accused.
He and | had long been personal friends,
and a friend he was to be loved and val
ued.
When he was in the deepest distress and
agony, it was4nade known to me that he de-
sired | should appear as counsel for his sons,
then imprisoned and awaiting their trial un-
der heavy load of prejudice and excitement.
Could as professional man, could | as n
friend, have refused to do so! 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 timid lawyer and worthless friend.
After considering of 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 professional services as
could. | determined also that would re-
ceive no fee for my services. believed that
| might exact almost what amount of CON-
pensation pleased, and that was felt by me
as reason why should take none. ishrank
from the idea or appearance even OF bargain
ing with distressed friend, or specializing
upon his misfortunes or his generosity. Hav-
ing come to these conclusions, | Informed
MIR. Matt. +. Ward of them by note address
sed to him some few weeks before his trial,
and received from him letter of gratful ac-
acknowledgements. His father was then absent
in New Orleans, as supposed.
l accordingly appeared for him, and defend
ed him with what ability | coud; but neither
did nor said anything that was not within the
strictest limits of an honest and honorable
discharge of professional duty.
The trial took place al 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
CT the case or the selection of jury. These
professional duties were performed by other
counsel better acquainted with the facts OF
the case and the persons presented as jurors.
have no reason to doubt that these duties
were performed 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 before 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, had heard nothing of it but what
might have been gathered from common ru-'
NOR.
have done nothing but what my judg
ment and my feelings approved. | have in
the exercise of my profession appeared as
counsel for friend, the son of a friend, and
for that have no defence to make. | did
not tintrude myselfinto the cause. lappeared
in it only because they wished it.
am your friend, &c.
J. J. CRITTENDEN.
L. H., New Orleans.