Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-11-14

The negroes Copeland and Green declined
saying anything when sentenced. Cook aud
ooppoc addressed the Court, denying that they
had any knowledge of Browne intention 70
seize Harpers Ferry until the Sunday previous,
when they were called upon TO take the oath Of
obedience to their commander They said
they Spected to be punished, but did not think
they 81, lld be hung. The negroes are to be
executed the morning Of December 10th, and
the whites during tho fIerooon Of the same
day. Hazlitt will not be tried until the May
term Of the Court. The Tribune says;
The Harper's Ferry trials are now over, with
the exception OF that uf the man Uaztt, ar
rested at Chambershure aud taken TO Charles
town on a rcquisitou vt Gov. Wise. Whether
any indictment has been found against him,
does not vet sp2cor. rhe prosecution in his
case labor under considerable difficulties. They
have no evidence to show that he was actually
at Harper's Ferry. lie has the discretion to
hold his tongue, and the convicted prisoners do
not recornizs him. Even IL they did, being
convicted felous, they could not be used as
witnesses Perhaps, in lack Of evidence tu
convict this man, he may be turned over
to the mob who murdered the prisoner ThOmp-
son.
The Virginia Court of Appeals, to which the
cases have been carried by writ Of error, meets
we believe on the goth. No doubt these cases
will have precedence Of all others II is stated
that Montgomery Blair, Mr.. Ould tho Prose-
cutting Officer for the District of Columbia
whose name was made familiar TO the public by
his share in the Sickles prosecution, and Mr.
Daniel, an eminent lawyer of Richmond, have
been retained in the case. The indictment
Oh grfrd un ouit.
unique as legal document and in any ordinary
criminal trial would be very likely to be over
turned. But, considering the peculiar charac'
ter of this case, the Court at Richmond will
not be likely, any more than the Court a
D Charestown, to stand upon trifles.
Whether the turning over of Stephens to b'
tried in the United States Court, was anything
more than contrivance on the part of Cover
$ nor Wise 10 get rid Of the odium Of trying an'
S hanging man suffering under dangerous,
p not mortal wounds, is point open to question
Considering how doubtful it is whether Steph
D ems does not die of his wounds before the U
S Court meets, if there had been any real de
sire to have trial in that Court, some othe
prisoner would, most likely, have been se.ecte'
s for that purpose We doubt if there is worI
n of ftruth in the suggestion of new and importan
discoveries to be used on his trial. A goo
e deal was expected of Cooks confession. Tha
= expectation failing to be realized, Cook is &C
d cused of keeping back his story. There seems
d, however, no reason to expect any important 10
formation from him. We are inclined TO thin
that his confession tells all he knew, and thai
ia fact, there in nothing to tell beyond what ha
Q already been disclosed. Should Stephens die
9 as is very probable, before bis trial alcomes OF
n it will then be easy TO make great boasts G
e what would or might have been proved, but 70
n that unfortunate accident.