The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-06-10
The Ward Case.
LETTER OF HON. JOHN J. cRITTENDEN.
ST. ToIrrs Nav Id 1874

was received few days ago, and you may
be assured that the motives which dictated
1t are properly understood and appreciated.
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 vindicate my conduct from
the unjust censure which, without reflection,
has been cast upon it..
have had nothing to do with the case
excep. professionally, as counsel for the ac-
cused My connection with it may be
stated in a few words. Details are unneces-
sary and immaterial.
Relations of private friendship had from
my earliest manhood existed between me and
many of the members of the family to which
belonged Robert J. Ward, Esq, the father
of the accused. He and had long been
personal friends, and 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
desired | should appear as counsel for his
sons, then imprisoned and awaiting their
trial under a heavy load Of prejudice and
excitement. Could |, as professional man
could I, as a 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 ap-
pear 10 be a timid lawyer and worthless
friend.
After considering of the matter, and the
repeated solicitations of common friends,
determined not to reject the appeal made to
me, but to appear in the case and render to
the accused such professional services as
pnnlH 1ofarpoiro1 ol-o +bo+ I ,,-o,,1l
ceive no fee for my service. | believed that
| might exact almost what amount of COM
pensation | pleased, and that was felt by me
shrank from the idea or appearance even of
bargaining with distressed friend, or specu-
lating upon his misfortunes or his generosity
Having come to these conclusions. inform
ed Mr.. Matt. F. Ward of them by note
addressed to him some few weeks before his
trial, and received from him letter of CRATE
ful Acknowledgements. His father was then
absent in New Orleans, as supposed
| accordingly appeared for him, and de-
Tended him with what ability | could 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 at Elizabethtown
llIe seal VI JuSllCe OI 1druln county, ABOUT
eighty or one hundred miles from my resi-
dence in Frankfort
had nothing to do with the preparation
of 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 a 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, l had heard nothing of it but what
might have been gathered from common
rumor.
| 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 friend, and
for that have no defence to make. l did
not intrude myself into the cause. l ap-
peared in it only because they wished it.
am your friend, sc.
]. J. CRITTENDEN.
L. H., Esq. New Orleans.