The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-05-21

IL will see the prisoner in the course
of the day, Mr.. Fairfax; We have still sew
era' days to go upon before the trial, and
in that time, a great deal may be done.
am constrained TO take strong interest
in the case; not only for the sake Of the
young man, himself; but also, for the
sake of the fair correspondent" added be,
facetiously.
AS Mr.. Fairfax walked back to the
Counting Room, he formed many conjec.
lures who that fair correspondent could
be.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The important day of trial at length
arrived. Since Senator Malcolm had
come, Edwards real name and high con-
Lections had been noised abroad, and
tended no little TO increase the pubic ex-
element, which the case had already eiic-
tied. On the memorable morning when
the prisoner was led into the Court Room
for trial, it WAS densely crowded with spec
tators, and even the Court Yard was
lhronged with persons who had been un-
able 10 obtain seats within.
Edwards presence created profound
sensation. On his right hand walked the
legal functionary in charge tof his person,
and on his left, and leaning on his arm,
Was his aged and venerable father, whom
many recognized rs the eminent states
man, whose forensic appeals in the Senate
Of his country, had vibrated, and found
cheering echo, through every corner of the
Republic. Ellen accompanied them, lean
ing on The arm Of Ashley, and MIR. Fair.
fax and his counsel brought up the rear.
Edwards appearance was decidedly in
his favor. lie had schooled his heart and
laryes to stand the trying ordeal, and
though his countenance was pale, yet it
was calm and unrufiled, and bis step firm
as of one conscious Of innocence.
The Senator had never yet brought his
mind to realize the real danger of his
sons position. lie felt tha, he was inro.
cent, and he could not imagine that any
Court wonld sentence his boy, with such
y character rs he could show, and that.
too, on presumptive evidence, to that
ioa,hsome Pahdemonium. n States Pcni
tcnliary! Would thcy incarccrate him
'within that den OF crime and iniamv-a
doom more terrible to the Young and sen
si,ive heart than the hangman's rope, or
the axe Of the executioncr. Would they
shave his classic browi Would they Gu,
his flowing locksi On! no, they could
not-they pouM not--he felt ready to
desecrate every temple Of jnstice, before
they should accomplish SO direful a pur.
pose.
Al tie eminent legal talent that could
bc procured, was arayed on the side of
the defence. Money, t" him, WAS nothing,
compared with the safety and reputation
of his sou.
We pass over the usual preliminary
lormalities Of court, in such cases. The
prisoner was arraigned, the Indictment
read, charging Edward Carlton Malcolm
with forgery: the jury Was empanneled,
and the States Attorney prepared to ad-
dress the court in opening the prosecution.
lis remarks were few and % the point.
lie Was one Of the first lawyers in the
State, and was fully competent for the
difficult task before him. lie told the iurv
that the crime Of which the prisoner was
charged, MAS one that should be visited
with the utmost rigor Of the law. A for
gerry had been committed, and he thought
that he could bring before them ample
proof that the prisoner at the bar was the
real perpetrator Of the deed. He warned
them against being unduIy ssayed by the
able and powerful array Of talent on the
opposite side, and he also guarded them
against the feelings that might he epcen.
dered 10y the peculiar situation Of the ssis
oner. and the interesting facts that day
be developed during tie progress Of the
trial. Although the prisoner WAS Of high
and aotle connections, yet he had known
s.ass,Y Gases where The mighty had sal,
LEM and If he had infringed the law,
the penalty sh.uld he visited upon him.
The rich and poor, the high and humble,
should all be amenabls to the supreme
power Of the law.
The States solicitor having concluded
his remarks, the Cour. was ready 10 lis.
ten to the examination Of che witnesses.
The first point proved, was tha, n for.
gerry had really been committed, and this
was done conclusively by Mr.. Fairfax and
the officers Of the Bank. Next Was de-.
tailed the means adopted for discovering
the culprit, and the search and its result
were minutely described by each of the
party engaged in it; viz, Mr.. Fairfax,
the Teller Of the Bank and the Police of.
ficer. In the examination Of ,he latter.
by the proseosling Attorney, the following
occurred:
" In your official carscky, you have,
doubtless, mado many similar arrests !:
and do you not form AL idea Of the guilt
or innocence Of the accused, by the man.
oar IN which he conducts himself during
the excitement OF an arrest 7"
Witness: "Generally, do"
Attorney: "ln the present instance,
did you notice any feature that you would
eoosirsis into an evidence OF guilti"
Witness: II think that 1 did"
1Iforoeu. VIII So, ol.