The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-09
LOCAL NEWS.

THIS BRooKs SUMNER oAsns--This case came up for
trial yesterday morning before Judge Crawford OF the
criminal court The District Attorney appeared for the
United States and Hon j. L. Orr OF South Carolina, and
John A. Linton esq, Of this city, for the defence The
evidence adduced did differ materially from that given
before the congressional committee At the close OF the
testimony Mr.. Brooks addressed the court as follows
May il please your honor May be permitted TO say
word fudge Crawford. Certainly appear in per
before this honorable court simply 10 receive its udg
would have preferred that the person upon whom
the assault committed had been present TO answer
whether not his speech which lbeed my State and my
blood printed before its delivery in the Senate feel
confident that under OATH he could not have denied TINS
fact which, with due Difference TO your honor regard as
material my defence inasmueh libel is contrary TO
law and to that extent would operate in e1tenuaon OF
my offence "a
would like to have inquired of him, in person, to
the degree OF his personal injuries and TO have been in
formed in what way he could reconcile that part oil ms
statement as TO the words used by me when the ASSAULT
made with the sentence which immediately succeeds
this language in his testimony before the investigating
committee, and which is as follows:
"Whie these words passing from his myl lips, he
commenced succession of blows with heavy cane on
my bare head By The first Of which Itoas stunned SO as to
lose sight"
1t would have prati6ed me had he been compelled to
under oath to the violence of the first blow,
which aver was but tap, and intended to put him on
his guard
But sir he is conveniently and deliberately absent and
travel Notwithstanding but six days this case was
postponed of his extreme ndisposton and the
materaty of his testimony and yet with all these disad
vantages prefer TO receive the judgment OF the court
than to continue in suspense.
1t my purpose to adducc any evidence in defence
have already accomplished than half Of the jour
ney of life and this is the first time that it has been
misfortune to be arragned before any judicial tribunal as
breaker of any law of my country confess sir and
without shame that my sensibtes are disturbed by my
novel position and have but to express my profound
greet that in dischargnga duty imposed upon me by my
of right and the sentiment of the gallant people
my pride and honor to represent am constrained as
/ n
maker, Of the laws.
In extenuation Of my offence permit to say that
extraordinary power of invention is requisite to imagine
variety of personal grievances which the good of society
and public morality require to be redressed and yet
adequate legal remedy may be had So ALSO are there
which may fall under the condemnation OF the letter
Of the law and yet like considerations will restrain its
penalties The villain who perverts the best feelings OF the
and rewards unsuspectng devotion with ruin
may bid defiance to this honorable court But where
sisters dshonor bloed out with the blood OF her de
stroyer, intelligent and wholesome public opinion, i'm
bodied in intelligent and vrtuous jury always has and
always will control the law and popular sentiment will
| applaud what the books may condemn.
1t is the glory of the law that it is founded in reason
But that reasoning be just which is not regardu of
human eeng2 Sir knows better than yourself that
such proach does not rest upon Jurisprudence for
the stern letter of the law touches with tenderness
the husband who Stays in the act the usurpe of his bed
The child who kills in defence of its parent excused by
law which ever regardfn of the yruous impulses OF
| nature. ,...E
| By parity Of reasoning, patriotism is regarded by
every nation upon earth the cardinal political virtue
Laws made to reward it, and to perpeate the names
of those who its exempars And be expected
will be requedhat with heart to feel and arm
to strike shall patiently hear and gnoby submit while my
political mother is covered with insult and obloquy and
dshonor while her character is sandered and her repua
| ton libelled =?
Sir the substance which have been gathering for my
children may be squandered my body may be Consigned
to the Jail my life itself may be forfeited, but
win be true to the instincts Of my nature-rue to the
home Of my nativity and TO the mother that bore me-
The first political lesson which my ripenng faculties
fully comprehendaa and aPrroeiasa tho high moral
and social obligations of every citizen to bow himself TO
the majesty of the law In obedience to the preceps Of
my youth which sanctioned by the experience and
judgment of mature years. submit my TO the dscre
ton of the with entire confidence that while you
sir magistrate perform your whole duty to the coun-
try and yourself you will remember that in every regula-
ted community public opinion distinguishes between crime
and honorable resentment and toraes the refuge which
men sometimes seek in the magnanimity Of the judges
Upon the conclusion of Mr. Brookss remarks, Judge
Crawford proceeded to give the following decision
"As this matter will be within short time the subject
of investigation in another place. and il is not necessary
TO the discharge of duty that should remark on the
evidence adduced, which could not do without touching
of the points that will probably be raised else
where it appears to be proper that the sentence of
the should be pronounced without comment That
sentence is that the defendant pay fine of 5000"
PENNSYLVANIA CLuB-The regular meetings OF the Penn
sylvana Buchanan and Breckenridge Club are held on
Wednesday evening of each week. at u o'clock at their
club ROOM southeast of and 9th streetsentrance
on 9th street All Pennsylvanians cordially invited to
attend and join the club.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC AssoClAuoS-An adjourned meet
ing Of the association will be held at O'Clock this eve
ming at the hall the northeast Of Pennsylvania
avenue and Thirteenth street As important business viii
be transacted full attendance earnestly requested
H. W0ODLEY, chairman.
| w. W. SrEmY, Secretary.