Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-07-13

ers have nothing TO say by way Of sp"l-
oge, but am prepared for the "bilter end"
You will bear me witness, Mr.. Chairman,
that have not sought this CONTROVERSY
II has been forced on me by men who be-
lleve, whether sane or insane, ere seeking
to destroy my private reputation as we'll as
my public usefulness have forborne for
long time, from taking any notice what
ever of the original transgressor. No other
consideration Than one of conviction on my
part that lie was labouring under mental de-
luslons, and that was the subjec, of those
decisions, coupled with an instructive repUg-
nance to enter into The field Of controversy
with so unfortunate human being, has re-
strained me hitherto But when he has
arlluly succeeded in making other men the
dupes of his own Authorizations and they
have voluntarily lent themselves to his pur-
poses, or made him the irresponsible ins,ru-
ment of their oacn vindictiueness, by publish
ing 10 The world a series of res oIuiions vital
ly destructive, if believed, of my future hap
piness in life, shall restrain my self no long
er. II is not the maker, but The endorsers of
the no!e that mean 10 hold answersble 10
me, and to the community in which and
hey live for the ul'erance of SO GOES libel.
When men play with edge tools they mus,
expect 10 be cut but he is but en- Indifferent
workman who does no, understand, before
hand the character of The instrument he uses.
! en- not aware of having ever given the
slightest provocation to The men who have
thus publicly volunteered to attack me-
1t is tue tina, both the President and Sc
cre.ary of the Buena Vista meeting (if
meeting it can be caIled) were the prin-
clpal prosecutors and witnesses sgains. a
poor man by the name of Cook, who was
indicted for larceny, and who employed me
to defend him, a. the last meeting Of the
Circuit Court for this county. ! remem-
Der very well that those gentlemen were
cross examined BY me and that they ap-
peared to be anxious about his conviction.
/ Blu. also remember that after full and
thorough examination Of all The testimony,
and The arguments of counsel on both sides
were delivered, the Jury acquitted the piis-
oner, who, having been confined here, in
jail, for five months, was again restored 10
his freedom. remember also, that The on
~ evidence offered against the prisoner was
that OF his own confessions; bu. it appear
ed tina, those confessions were made by him
under circumstances of duress, and were not
regarded by the Jury. as that sort of volun-
larry confession which is and ought to be
regarded as the highest evidence of guilt.
A poor, iIli,era,e, and uneducaled man, who
| is aroused from his bed at the hour of mid
night, by an armed posse of some fifteen or
twenty men, dragged from his bed, lied hand
and foot, and thence carried 10 a neighbour
ing house, where he is kept manacled pri-
soner until morning, and who is urged ia
make confessions in the mean time through
the hope of gain or The fear Of punishment,
Nv oaEa- laa!ef asyy eufasiances, become an
object worthy Of the sympalhies Of every
lkind-hear,ed, benevolent man but when the
law throws around him the strong shield of
its own protection, il becomes the absolute
duty Of the counsel of prisoner as well as
of all others charged wish the administra-
ZION of Justice, to extend to him, however
humble he may be, the full benefits Of its
protecting care. do no, deny that felt
more than ordinary interest in the case Of
his young man and am free to confess,
that in my argument 10 the jury, express
always felt, OF the triumph of tyranny and
oppression over weak, helpless, and unpro-
tecled innocence. Blu. ! cannot recollect
tina! ever uttered sing lie word of harsh
ness or unkindness to either Of these gen.
llemen. If had done so, i, would have
given me pleasure, upon proper sppllca-
ton, TO have made Them any repafa!ion
which they might legilimately have deman-
ded. have heard it said that to my exer-
tons as counsel in behalf Of This young man,
may be attributed The hostility of these gen.
,lemen. can hardly believe it. Blu! if it
be so, think can safely leave them TO the
remOrsefess sings Of their own guilty con-
sciences, as The severest and most fitting
punishment. Of so grievous an offence against
The plainest principles Of moral recl,ude.
Be this, however, as it may, feel cons'rsln-
ed to say that know Of no authority which
these gentlemen possess, either 'by lneai
DESCENT or otherwise, TO place me under
surveillance to them, in The mode in which
am to discharge my professional dulles
If they think can be in.imdsted by their
frowns, or allured BY their smiles, from pur-
suing the s,rs Oh! line of judicial integrity
and truth, they will be mistaken. They
will NEE, with similar disappointment II
they suppose they can deter me from advo-
eating with the same zeal as ever, the rghls
/ of the poorest and humblest citizen in the
land, against even the strongest, The bravest
and The weaIlhlest shall still continue,
as have always done, notwithstanding lheie
'.indgnan, denuncia,ions,' 10 regard with
utter fearlessness both in my private and
public life, the truth and justice Of causes.
more than the position or The station OF tho
parties.
IAave written, my dear sir, more than !
designed !; but yet cannot see how could