The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-23

implore you TO consider il well and merefuy before you
pronounce verdict Of guya verdict which is 70 cut
asuder an the tender cords that bind heart to heart and
TO conspn this young in the Hover OF his days and
In the midst Of his hopes 10 shame and TO death such
verdict must often come up IN your fecolecuohs
/ live forever in your minds
And In aer-days when the wild voice Of clamor that
now fills the air is hushedwhen memory shall review this
busy scene should her accusing voice tell you you have
dealt hardly with brothers life that you have sent him
10 DEATH when you have doubt whether IL Is not your
duty 10 restore him to feOh what moment that must
behow like cancer viii that remembrance prey upon
your hearts
But if on the other hand having rendered contrary
verdict you feel that there should have been conviction
tha sentiment will be easily satisfied you will say; II
erred il the side OF mercy thank GoD incurred
no hazard by condemning man ! thought innocent
How different the memory from that which may come IN
any calm moment by day by night, knocking at the
door of your hearts, and reminding you that IN case
where you doubtful by your verdict you sent an inno-
cent TO disgrace aud to death
Oh gentlemen, pronounce no such beseech you, put
the certain clear and solid grounds II you err
for your sake well his keep on the side OF hui
mainly, and him from dishonorable fatepre-
yourselves from bitter memory II viii not do
then to plead your conscences any subtle techncaes
and nice ogcsuch cunning Of the mind VIII never sats
the heart of an honest man. The case must be one hat
speaks for selthat requires resoningtha without
argument appeals to the understanding and strikes convc-
ton into the very heart Unless does this you abuse your
selvesabuse your conscences and yocbly wrong
your fellownan by pronouncing him guilty IL IS let
is boodwih which you TO deal and beware that you
peril not your peace.
am no advocate gentlemen of any criminal lcentous-
ness desire that society may be protected that the laws
of my country may be obeyed enforced Any other
state q things should dePore but have examined this
much that wish had never happened but see no evil
intentions and motives no wicked magnity and therefore
no murder no felony.
There is another consideration of which we should not
be unmndfu We all conscious OF the nhrmities OF
our naturee all subject to them The law makes an
allowance for such inrmities The AUTHOR Of our being
has To *
mens which make but little lower than the angels
but He has mingled in composition weakness and pas
sions VIII He punish for frates which nature has
stamped upon u.s. for their necessary results The dis
tncton between these and that proceed from wicked
and malignant heart is founded eternal justice; and in
the words of the Psalmst He knoweth our framehe
remembcreth that dust" Shall not the rule He has
| established be good enough for us to judge by?
Gentlemen, the case is closed Again ask You 10 con-
slider ii well before yon pronounce verdict which snail
consgn this prisoner grave Of gnominy and dishonor
These idle words yon have heard 80 often THIS is
your tellow-citizena youth OF promse-the rose OF ms
fam yhe possessor of all kind and yrtuous and manly
qualities 1t Is the blood of kenuckian you are called
upon she'd The blood that flows in his veins has come
down from those noble pioneers who laid the foundations
for the greatness and glory of Staet Is the blood of
race who have spared it when demanded by their
counrys 1t is his fate you are to decide excite
poor, unmanly sympathy appeal to no low groye
ling spirit lie is manyou are men-and only want
| that sympathy which man can give to man
will not detain you longer. But you know, and 1t IS
right you should the terrible suspense IN when some o.
these hearts beat during your absence Is proper
for you to consider this for in such case all the feelings
of the mind and should sit in council together lonr
duty yet be done perform as you are ready TO an
swer for it, here and hereafter Perform i calmly and DIS
passionatey remembering that vengeance can give no sat
sfacon to any human being. But II you exercise IT IN
this case it VII spread black midnight and despair over
many aching hearts May the God of all mercy be with
you Ia your deliberations assist you in the performance OF
your duty and teach you judge your fellow-beng as
you hope to he judged hereafter.
Another word gentlemen, and have done My services
in this were volunteered bad hardly expected tha
so unimportant fact could excite attention or subject me
to reproach What shall all the friends Of this young man
be driven from him at such hour2 bad known him
from his boyhood-l had known his family from nine
And it, in the recollccons of the pastin the memory oil
our early nercoursen the ties that bound US together
thought there sufficient cause to render II proper
whose business is t2 Whom does IL concern, but my cen
and myself? | an volunteer offered my services
they accepted and have given them IN this feeble
way.
thank you kindly for your attention, during my long
and unnteresng discourse only ask that you will ex-
anime this case carefully and impartay Tor in your JUS
tiee and your understanding have deep and abiding
confidence.
The conclusion OF Mr.. Crittendnns argument ELECTED
lively applause from the listeners with which the room
crowded Ii promptly checked, however by the
court with the request that such demonstrations should
be repeated
Court took recess