Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-05-31

quietly by, whilst the large auditory
looked on him as though wondering
what he could say in defense OF one
whose guilt they regarded as certain.
The examination of witnesses for the
State was begun, and a well arranged
mass of evidence, circumstantial and
positive was introduced, which seemed
to impale the prisoner beyond cxtrica-
ton. The counsel for the defense
propounded but few questions, and
those of character which excited no
uneasiness on the part OF the prosecu-
tor-mcrely, in most cases. requiring
the main witness to be definite as to
time and place. When the evidence
of the prosecution was ended, Lincoln
introduced few witnesses TO remove
some erroneous impressions in regard
to the previous character of his client,
who, though somewhat rowdyish. had
never been known to commit vicious
act; and to show that greater degree
of ill-feeling existed between the ac-
cuser and the accused than the accused
AMI deceased. The prosecutor felt
that the case was a clear one, and his
opening speech was brief and formal.
Lincoln arose. while deathly silence
pervaded the vast audience, and in a
clear but moderate tone began his ar
gument. Slowly and carefully he re-
viewed the testimony, pointing out the
hitherto undiscovered discrepancies in
the statements of the principal wit
ness. That which had seemed plain
and plausible. he made to appear
crooked as a serpent's path. The wit
ness had stated that the affair took
place at certain hour in the evening,
and that, by the aid of the brightly
shining moon, he saw the prisoner in
tlict the death blow with slung shot.
Mr. Lincoln showed that at the hour
referred to, the moon had not yet ap-
peared above the horizon, and conse
quently the whole tale was fabrica-
ton. An almost instantaneous change
seemed to have been wrought in the
minds of his auditors, and the verdict
of mot guilty was at the end of every
tongue. But the advocate was not
content with this intellectual achieve
ment. His whole being had for
months been bound up in this work OF
gratitude and mercy, and, as the lava
of the overcharged crater bursts from
its imprisonment, so great thoughts
and burning words lcaped forth from
the eloquent Lincoln. Fl. drew a pic
ture OF the perjurer SO horrid and
CHASTITY that the accuser could sit un-
der it no longer, but reeled and stag
gered from the court room whilst the
audience fancied they could see the
brand upon his brow. Then in words
of thrilling pathos Lincoln appealed
to the Jurors as fathers of sons who
might become fatherlcss, and as hus-
bands ofwives who might be widowed
to yield to no previous impressions,
no ill-founded prejudice, but to do his
client justice; and as he alluded tc
the debt of gratitude which he owed
the boys sire, tears were seen to fall
from eyes unused to weep. 1t was
near night when he concluded by say
ing that ifjusticc was done-as he be
lieved it would be-beforc the snn
should set it would shine upon his eli
ent freeman. The jury retired, and
the court adjourned for the day. Hal
an hour had not elapsed, when, as The
officers of the court and the voluntecl
attorney sat at the ,teatable of theil
hotel, messenger announced that The
jury had returned to their seats. Al
repaired Immediately to the Court
Honse, and whilst the prisoner was
bcing brought from the jail, the court
room was filled to ovcrilowing will
citizens of the town. When the pris
oner and his mother entered, silence
rcigned as completely as though th'
house were empty. The foreman o
the Jury, in answer to the usual inqui
ry from the court, delivered the yer
diet Of "Not Guilty" The widow
dropped into the arms Of her son, VIII
lifted her mp and told her to look up
on him as before, free and innocent
Then with the words "Where is Nh
Lincoln" he rushed across the room
and grasped the hand of his deliverer
whilst his heart was too full for ut
terance. Lincoln turned his eyes to
ward the West, where the sun still
fingered in view, and then, turning t
the youth said, ''Itis not yet sundowr
and You are Free" confess that m
checks were not wholly unwet b
tears, and | turned from the affectin
scene. AS l cast a glance behind,
saw y braham Lincoln obeying the d
vine Injunction. by comforting tn
widowed and the fathcrless. ID.
Hannibal llaH,1in.
Hannibal Hamlin, who was nomir
ated last evening by the Republica
Convention at Chicago for Viz