The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-02
tenden, distinguished state sman % the West,

tenden, distinguished statesman % the West,
had volunteered his professional aid to tie de-
fence, perfect torrent ofrancoy GUS denunciation
was poured upon his head. lie was held to have
forfeited all the title to esteem which his public
services, extending through many years, had
established. The vehemence with which this
view wa urged by certain journals in the
Seward interest was marked A suspicion was
very naturally excited that concealed motive
lay at the bottom of all this ferocity. Mr.. Crit
tenden, as a prominent rival whg candidate for
the Presidency, was to be killed Off Finally,
one of these journals pointed to the contrast
between the Ward trial and case of poor
outcast negro, whom Gov. Seward had volun-
teered to defend against a charge of murder.
Was it, then, for this base purpose that Gov.
Seward defended the wretched negro? Where
is the merit of his trumpeted generosity, if it
was bestowed only as an investment of political
capital? Aha 1t is fine basis for taunts
and jeers towards gallant competitor for
Presidential honors, because, forsooth, he hap
pens to appear in court in behalf Of a son of
one Of his old personal friends, inasmuch as the
defendant is not possessed of an ebony colored
skin, and is possessed of money. In defending
rious; but rich white men deserve to be hung,
merely because they are rich and white ]!
Now it seems to us that counsel have a
right TO defend whom they choose; the same
right to defend the rich as tcey have to defend
the poor the same right to defend a while man
that they have to defend black man.
But it is said that Mr.. Crittenden volunteered
his services. That is matter entirely between
him and his clients. 1t is rank impertinence for
outsiders to NEEDLE with it, 1t may make differ
! ence OF five hundred or thousand dollars in
| his cash account, if he keeps one but it make
not the slightest difference to other people.
OF the merits of the case itself we have no
thing to say. We have supposed that the jury
remarkably intelligent as they were said to
be-and the Court, with all the evidence before
them, must be better qualified to discharge
their appropriate duties than we, with far less
complete means of Judging, could discharge
those duties for them.
AS to the boasts which have been made of the
superiority Of New York over Kentucky in ad-
ministering justice to the guilty we shall be
glad to see good foundation for them laid 1t
is only few days since merchant was robbed
in public bank in Wall street. One of the
robbers was seized. He was an old offender, of
notorious character, and the circumstantial evil
dence against him was stronger than that on
which many a man has been condemned to
swing. However, he is now at liberty on one
thousand dollars bail.
What is the meaning and motive Of this terri
bic onslaught by the disunion and anti-slavery
organs of VIM. II. Seward upon Kentucky and
all its associations? Are not these organs-the
Times and TriJune-more anxious for the
hanging of J. J. Crittenden because he is COM
petitor of w. II. Seward, than that of Matthew
+. Ward because he shot Mr.. Butler? Are they
not decidedly in favor of the death penalty in
politics, when it can be applied to rival of
their candidate?