Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-02-22
For the Union and american
SEMI-ANNUAL IN LEBANON.

SEMI-ANNUAL IN LEBANON.
At o'clock this morning. the hour appointed for
the renewal of the exercises the Temperance Hall
in larger numbers than on yesterday. The first case
discussed was second edition of the Ward affair."
Mr.. Mitchell, O., opened the argument on
behalf of the State. AS this case has been so tho
| roughly exhausted elsewhere, much originality
could not be expected in its discussion Mr. Mitch
ellis manner was forcible and his reasoning good
He was emphatcally on the right side and he spoke
as if aware of the fact. Mr.. Tomlinson, of Tenn,
followed him for defendant. His harangue was
animated aud some portions of it interesting. He
endeavored to avoid the application Of any ancient
principles of the law, because, said he, "this is
Young America whether the jury regarded his a.
gument as conclusive against the admission of said
| principles, is matter which depends in great
measure on their intelligence. Mr.. Il. II. Smith,
| OF Tenn, delivered neat and elegant speech in
favor of the prosecution. His sentences were char
acterized by epgramatic force and decision. They
were characterized by Ciceronian fullness and
harmony. And this was apparent without any
| diminution in power or expression. Nj. Taaffee,
of Texas, made plain and argumentGtive speech
| in the defence. He went to work more ike the
mature lawyer than the youthful advocate. There
was practical soundness in his ideas not usually
evinced in the maiden efforts of young orators
| And if such ingenuity Of reasoning and admirable
collation. of facts, could be exhti ed when doubt
less his own convictions were opposed to what he
was endeavoring to enforce, what might he not ef-
| feet when inspired with profound impression of
the truth and dignity of his Mr. Tally spoke
last and in short and impressive speech urged the
| condemnation of the prisoner. Judge Green de-
livered the charge, and the jury, unlike the per-
jured twelve of KY, returned without hesitation
Equity of murder in the first degree
At o'clock in the evening, the people again as
sembled to hear the discussion OF most interest
ing case as it involves in great measure the fun
damenta principles of slavery, and illustrates the
conflict oflaws in the several States concerning it.
slave had been carried to California by his mas
ter, prior TO the organization of that country as
territory he remained there until after the law pro-
| hbiting slavery had been enacted, and having re-
turned with his master to Tennessee, sues for his
freedom Mr. Foster, of Tenn, opened the case
on behalf of the plaintiff. We only heard his con-
GLIDING remarks and are therefore unable to Judge
of his effort. We are told that he was very learned
and pr1fuSe in his citation of authorities. Mr. Hail.
of Nashville, next addressed the Court. His ad-
dress was admirable, beautiful in composition aud
powerful in argument He urged that ths mere
entry into free State, does not nor ever did make
him free any longer than he chose to remain there,
anu II lrOIu LlleuC6 ne 10 Ills LudSlcF,
former relations existing between them, resumed
their validity. Many pointed Illustrations and mat
tiers of collateral interest brought in to enforce
and strengthen this position. Mr.. Paine, of this
town, made pretty speech on the same side As
soon as he had finished his remarks, Mr.. Woods, Of
Nashville rose to address the Court There was
quite feverish anxiety the part OF the audience
to hear this gent eman, who had been extollad on
all sides, as being one Of the most talented young
IL ,i,rE,I
ness of thought, the extent of his information
Q I'd above all the amazing fuency AMI elegance OF
mis- oratory, had excited the admiration OF all who
heard him. His reputation in the law school was
almost unequalIed since its foundation Hence
there was quite sensation in the large auditory
when he proceeded to address the Court. The
most profound silence succeeded somewhat noisy
confusion, and every one seemed anxious to hear
this young man so beautifully favored by nature
Seldom have we heard more appropriate, more
logical and argumentaive speech from any one, and
never from one 50 young. We mean logical from
the premises he assumed. Everything he said was
in regular and admirable order, no confusion, no.
hesitation, no ohscurity. Like some strong and
beautiful fabric bnt up stone by stone by the mas
ter hand of an experienced mason, until it gradu
ally expands into the grand and magnificent super
structure, so did the argument Of the youthful ora
tor increase in strength and beauty and harmony,
beneath the plastic and creative genius that moulded
it. If the building was imperfect the cause arose
from the insecurity Of the foundation. In taking
the bold grounds against slavery which he did, We
are confident he spoke against his convictions, but
Of course, as lawyers are bound to do, he must
support his side whether he believed it night or
not. He conteuded that slavery was unauthorized
by the laws of nature and the direct revelations of
Deity, that nothing but an unavoidable necessit
could justify its existence. Hence be declared that
every man was free the moment he touched the |
soil where there was no law to make him slave. |
To prove that his client had ceased to be a slave
still more irrefutably he affirmed that the Mexican
law recognized no slavery, and it, of course pre-
dominated IN California, until the cOnquerors should
enact others. That Independent OF these consd- |
erationS, law had been enacted by the Legisla-
ture OF California, making him free. Having es-
t''ished his freedom, he proceeded to show that
there was no law to reduce him again to slavery
IartUS Se9uit7r centrum, he contended was the only
rule by which slavery was fixed and perpetuated
in the United States. That this rule having once
applied TO his Client could not Of course apply again.
therefore he had been free and was free now. We
are constrained to think that his first position
served rather for the exhibition of hsingenuity and
eloquenee, than to complete strengthen his argu-
Inent. His speech was entirely extempore, yet as
as Systematically arranged and for
chilly illustrated as could be expected of written
Mr.. Woods is graduate of Chapel Hill College,
that famed institution which has educated so many
great men, and which is destined to see its fame
enhanced by him. Judge Caruthers delivered
engthy charge, most Of which he devoted to a ref
ltation of the argument advanced 'by Mr. Woods.
The jury returned a verdict in consonance to the
charge of his Honor, and the imaginary Bob, not
the eoquence of his Counse, was con-
5gned to irremedabIe slavery. This closed the
,xerc ses Of the day
Lebanon, Feb. A. 1855.
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