The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-19

Mr.. CARRINGTON May it please the Court, and
YOU, gentlemen Of the jury, share the dsapp0int.
ment Of the crowd that the learned District Attor
ney is to be Immediately succeeded by me, and not
by my eminent friend from Virginia, as was gener-
ally expected This was the understanding between
the counsel for the defence until about five minutes
ago; therefore appear before you under uniavor-
abls auspices--under the pressure resulting fr0ma
udden excitement, and without sufficient time
for generalization and arrangement Of my views.
Besides, as. you all know, have enlisted for the
war; fought the first BATTLE when expended
a large quantity Of my little ammunition, and
desired to reserve the balance in my possession
for the two which are to follow the one now
wagng; this fight shall leave principally to ADLER
and more experienced warriors than myself, who
lave come to lend their invaluable aid. Indeed,
congratulate myself that my task on the present
occasion is comparatively an easy one;. represent
hut one of the parties charged in this indictment,
and it is in consequence of his earnest request
Alone that / consented to appear in this cause,
pref,rring, as have already intmated, to reserve
myself for those which are to follow, in which
have been retained by a large number of the
accused.
Gentlemen of the Jury, the memorable lst of
June, 1857 dawns upon us; the affair OF the
morning passes IN review before our minds as it
is reflected by the evidence, without any immedi-
ate call upon me for action. The United States
military under the command of his Honor the
Mayor, make their appearance at the first precinct
Of the Fourth Ward of Washington city; i gaze
upon this extraordinary ana unprecedented move
nent, not without emouon Out Without interference
either by word or deed. Iney pegin tneir work
OF death; ana witnin our view american Diooo
now freely III tne MetoPohs u lnis iree anu
happy land-and This, Dy the crder OF the
Mayor of little municipality in the heart
Of the model republic; in land of religion and of
laws; in Christian age and Christian commu-
nifty, where, however we may oner Dy tne way,
we all as people, recognize anu worship Inc
lrince OF Peace as the only true ana hving uoa!
1 know not now ~ Is with you, genuemel Oh tne
Jury, put, Tor one, contemplate tnis awlui scene
with feelings OF horror ana honest iieignationi
ioor, unonending negroes chliuren, anu Ameri-
can citizens OF all political parties are whining IN
the last agonies OF oissoiuuoni Merchui uodi
was not this enough! An, no, gentlemen OF tne
jury. Mark the last scene Oh TINS SAD ana terrible
tragedy The Marines raise their guns, ana point
them obiqueiy, and discharge mass OF hquid
nre INTO quiet unohending crowa. stanoing at a
point designated In WE course OF tnis examinanon
as Alstons corner; ana IN moment, tne spirits
of the aIniable and lanented Allston, and Others,
stand affrighted and appalled, before the bar OF
ternal Justice! 1 feel my blood boil and my
bosom heave, and am ready TO exclaim, here Is
the point beyond which endurance ceases to be
virtue.
But VI shall forbear as promised you, and
ave 1t for others to avenge the names OF the
innocent dead around me. And as for his Honor,
the Lord Mayor OF Washington city, l am willing
TO leave him to Heaven and to the thorns that IN
his bosom lodge TO prick and sting him. NOW,
my worthy friend, the learned District Attorney,
seems disposed TO treat these sad and solemn
scenes lightly; and the feeling manifested by the
counsel for the defence he charges to be sort OF
sckly sentimentality. Well well, we Will not
Quarrel about this. gentleman the beat
Judge OF his own professional duty, and IL at
liberty TO exercise his own taste ireeiyde g'lsf'-
Gus non est dtspaHdndSm.
But charge upon him very poor taste, TO say
the least OF it. in making the bloody transactions OF
that unhappy day the subject OF ridcule and irony
Pit gentlemen OF the jury IN surveying TINS
field OF carnage and OF blood, behold a sight that
touches my heart and moves me irresistioly 70 &C
ton l see my young friend, Charley spencer,
weltering IN has own blood, implied ana uncared
tor by these bloody executioners oil Magruder
law Aye, more; see his mangled and bleeding
body dragged before an honest jury OF his coun-
try, and he charged AS a criminal, by a retreatng
police officer, who basely deserted the post OF
duty on that memorable day, and would fain make
come atonement for his own disgracefu flight, by
iInmolating another victim TO the hei-born demon
ofparty spirit. IL Is then and then only, that
come to shield him, II can, from further harm
10 invoke an impartial and honest jury to protect
nm rom .ne vengeance y 's anu
contraolc'ea Witness spu restore nun 70 sue arms
III a., hlnas =, aadrsss ,h;s ;nrv NJ vo;ca =
tam;ar 80 Won, AMI am srro there ia No. one Of
vam ,rbo will render verdict NJ convotion unless
20 "a oat;ssed tbat his dutv clearly and imnera-
,;vslv demands n The District ATTORNEY has IN.
,,oted Won 70 discard from yo,r minds ali nolt;cal
nseud,.s and na,tv f.clno II nerchance anv
sbond l;ngsr there Ia il necessary for me 10 say
49, onrdd;a,lv ,,n,,o r. tbis Invocation when
narty shirt e permitted TO invade the iury.box.