The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-11-01

Brown knew that he was committing an ofense
of slave property, he has repeatedly confessed
it and is willing to abide the consequences;
indict him for that offense but don't convict
him Of On ofense he never dreamed Of COM
mitting.
Nothing in the circumstances Of the case
demands such a course of procedure-public
safety does not require him TO be punished
contrary to the law. II Brown could be en-
gagged five months in prosecuting such an
enterprise, and only gather throughout the
United States twenty-one men, black and
white, when there was nothing in tho world
TO oppose him, how in heavens name can it
be supposed, that with him and all his COM
psnions struck down, the South aroused,
everybody on the alert watching enterprises
of this kind, that there 10 the reihotest dan
gerthat another scheme akin 70 his will be
started.
1t was hardly necessary to make these re-
MARKS. The duty of the jury is to be blind
to all outside prejudices. The physical cour-
age of those who supported this insurrection
has been highly commended, but the moral
courage is superior. That which can resist
prejudice and passion, let simple justice be
meted out to the prisoner. He asked no
more. He called on the jury to preserve the
sanctity of their oaths intact. Honor untar.
nished and the reputation Of the Common
wealth for justice, magnanimity and chivalry
will be unstained.
Mr.. Griswold closed by saying on behalf
of his client that he had no exception to take
to particle Of the evidence given on trial,
but deemed it @ wonder, under the circum-
stances, that truth should even be as fully
developed as it has been. He bore honora-
BILE testimony especially to Captain Linn,
who voluntarily came from another State for
the simple purpose of doing justice.
Mr.. Chiffon spoke of the embarrassment
with which he undertook the case. He in
tended to do his duty faithfully, and had
come to deal with the prisoner, Captain
Brown, not as the leader of this foray, but
simply as prisoner under charge of viola
tion of law. If that law did not warrant his
conviction, he should endeavor to make that
appear to the jury; still, he would say he had
no sympathy with the prisoner. His birth
and residence until within few years had
been in Virginia, in connection with the in
stitution of slavery, although now resident
of the District of Columbia.
He had returned to his native State to spend
the remainder of his days, and mingle his dust
with her soil-no other motive operated ON him
than disinterested duty faithfully; he regretted
the excitement respecting the case; he was
glad to hear tho Judge say on Saturday that
he desired to try this case precisely like others;
he desired, the whole State and the whole
South desired the trial should be fair; it had
been fair. Circumstances had interrupted its
progress; counsel were here without proper
preparation, but indulgence had been granted
aud they should do the best they could under
the circumstances. He could not complain of
the excitement, for it was natural; he hoped it
would not interfere with the course of justice,
or cast stain Of dishonor on the State; the
jury had sworn they were unbiased; he pre-
sumed they would firmly discharge their Oaths
in bringing in q verdict. He could not UNDER
stand from the opening of the prosecution on
what ground these charges against the pris-
oner were attempted to be sustained.