Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-04-28
The Wellington Rescue Case-Ar-
guments of Counsel.

ltrom the Cleveland Herald. OF Wednesday
The interest has daily increased in this
trial until on the commencement of the ar
guments every spot in the Cour; Room and
in the Judges Parlors adjoining, was crowd
ed with spectators; among them a large
number of ladies.
The argument of Judge Bliss was good
a one as SO bad cause admits of, for no
man with heart can throw his soul into
such case. 1t is an up hill business to
talk even to listening jury, when the en-
tire audiepce sympathy is against the ora
tor; when, too, counsel knows that every
step he takes he treads upon State Rights,
and tramples Freedom in the dust. Judge
Bliss acquitted himself well; for he had
nothing to make his case. OFT of, save an
arbitrary, cruel, vindictiye, and shameless
law. ....H-..
Mr.. Riddle followed Here let Us say
that our report gives no correct idea OF
matter or lis manner. Mr.. Riddles style
s peculiar, it cannot be reported. and even
a verbatim report would not properly afford
10 just conception of his argument. 1t was
brilliant, fa-hing and scathIng. The last
part of it, where he took up the occurrences
of that day a: Wellington, step by step,
from the gathering of the crowd at the fire
until John escaped, was powerful and
convincing speech. 1t stripped the case to
the buff. laid it bare and show ed just what
was done by the captors and the slave, and
by the crowd, and It LETT but little for the
Government to rely upon. Mr.. Riddles
sitting OF the testimony was complete.
The enthusiasm of the crowd conld not
be repressed, but broke out-improperly,
we admit-into prolonged applause. Mr.
R. spoke, in all, about seven hours and he
held the jury closely all the time
Judge Spaulding opened his speech with
one of the most eloquent introductions we
ever heard. lie gave some vivid il'us,ra-
tons Of the Higher Law, as visited on Ma
pGleon and as proclaimed by the immortal
jefferson.
At one point in his argument, IN which
he replied to the assertion of Government
counsel that there was 10 dsnger Of white
men being captured as slaves, he pointed to
boy as white as any in the room, and with
burst of eloquence that thrilled the house
said that lad but a few weeks since was
manumitted in this city, before Probate
Judge Tilden, by his lawful master. The
house was electrified. and some indiscreet
persons calling out, "let the boy stand up,"I
the lad did stand up, and probably not com
pretending what was or was not proper in
Court of Justice, maintained his elevated
position some moments, although told By
the Court, Immediately on rising, TO take
his seat. The effect OF making profert of a
white slave in Court was Magical, and
was conclusive answer to the Government
counsel on that point
Judge Spaulding in the latter part OF his
argument addressed himself to the facts,
and made an argument OF commanding force
upon the question of the Legality OF the
capture and the notice the crowd had upon
the subject. His positions we're strong and
impregnable to the effect that the crowd
used all means to learn by what authority
the negro was held; that when that author
ity at last was disclosed it was the warrant,
which was good for nothing, and that the
Pow er of Attorney was not shown as their
authority, but was an after thought when
it became manifest the warrant was illegal.
The argument Of Judge Spaulding has
added even to his former reputation as a
lawyer and advocate, and whatever may be
the fate of the Argument with the jury IL
has sown valuable seed in large and in
telgent audience.