The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-22

palc and emaciated, with hopelesness writ
ten ON every feature, and accompanied by his
half.hoping, half-depairing mother-whCsc
only hope was In a mothers belief Of her
sons innocencc, in the justice Of the God she
worshippcd, and In tho noble counsel who,
without hope Of fec or reward upon earth,
had undertaken the cause-took his scat In
the prisoners box, and with u stony frmness
listened to the reading of the Indictment
Lincoln sat quietly by, while the large audi
tory 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 well arranged mas Of eyi-
dence, circumstantial and positive, was in
troduccd, which seemed to impale the pris-
Tho counsel for tho dsfsuss psspounded but
few questions, and those OF character which
excited no uneasincs on the part Of the pros.
ecutor-merely, in most cases, requiring the
main witness 10 be definite rs to timc and
place. When the evidence Of the prosccu.
ton was ended, Lincoln introduced few
witnesses to remove some erroneous impress
ions in regard to the previous character OF
his client, who, though somewhat rowdyish.
had never been known 10 commit vicious
act and to show that greater degree of
ill-iecling existed between the accuser and
the accused than the accused and tho de-
ceased.
Tho prosecutor felt that the caso was q
clear one, and his opening speech was brief
and formal.
Lincoln arose, while dcathly silence per.
yaded the vast audience, and In clear but
moderate tone began his argument. Slowly
and carefully he reviewed the testimony,
pointing out tho hitherto unobseryed discep-
ancies in the statements of the principal wit.
ness. That which had seemed plain and
plausible he made to appear crooked as
scrpents path. :,
The witness had stated that the affair took
place ut certain hour in the evening, and
that, by the aidof the brightly shining moon,
he saw the prisoner inhict the death blow
with slung shot. Mr.. Lincoln showed that
at the hsur referred to the moon had not APP
pearcd above the horizon, and consequently
the whole talc was fabrication.
An almost instantaneous change seemed to
have been wrought in the minds OF his au.
ditors, and the verdict Of "not guilty" was
at the end of every tongue.
But the advocate was not content with thb
intellectual achievement. His whole being
had for months been bound up in this work
of gratitude and mercy, and, rs tho lava
of the Oyerchargcd crater bursts from its inn
prisonment, 80 great thoughts and burning
words leapcd forth from tho soul Of the clo-
auent Lincoln. lie drew picture of tho
perjurcr 80 hcrrid and ghastly that the ac.
cuser could sit under II no longer, but Iceled
and staggered from the court room, while
tho audience fancicd they could sec the brand
upon his brow. Then in words of thrilling
pathos Lincoln appealed to tho jurors as
fathers of sons who might become fathcrlcss,
and as husbands of wives who might be wild.
owed, to yield to no previous impressions, no
ill-founded prejudice, but to do hrs client
Justice; and rs he alluded TO the debt OF
gratitude which hc owed the boys sire, tears
were seen to fall from many eyes unused to
weep. 1t was near night when he concluded
by saying that, if justice were dopc-as he
believed IL would bc-bciorc tho sun should
set 1t would shine upon his client q free man.
The jury retired, and tho court adjourned
for the day.
Half an hour had not elapsed when, as tho
officers of the court and the volunteer attor.
ncy sat ut the tca-table Of their hotel, mes
scnger announced that the jury had returned
to their seats. All repaired Immediately to
the Court House, aud while the prisoner was
being brought from the Jail, the COURTROOM
was filled To ovcrllowing with citizens Of the
town. When the prisoner and his mother
entered, silence reigned as completely Us tho
the house was empty.
The foreman Of the jury, In answer to the
usual inquiry from tho court, delivered the
verdict, 'Not Guilty." The widow dropped
into the arms of her son, who lifted her up,
and told her to look upon him as before
free and innocent. Then, with the words,
"Wherc Is Mr.. Lincoln ?" he rushed across
the room and graspcd the hand OF his dcliy-
crcr, while his heart was too full for utter
ance.
Lincoln turned his eyes toward the West.
where tho sun still fingered in view, and then
tnrning to the youth, said,
at is not yet sundown, and you are free.
| confess that my cheeks were not wholly
unwet by tcars, and turned from the Affect
ing scene. As cast glance behind saw
Abraham Lincoln obeying the divine injunc-
tion, by comforting tho widowed and tho
latherlcss. d.