Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-07-13


whose guilt they regarded as certain.
The examination of the witnesses for the
State was begun, and well arranged
mass of evidence, circumstantial and
positive, was introduced, which seemed
to impale the prisoner beyond the posi-
bility of extrication. The counsel for
the defence propounded but few ques-
tions, and those Of character which /
excited no uneasiness on the part of the
prosecutor-merely, in most cases, re-
quiring the main witness to be definite as
to the time and place. When the evi-
dence of the prosecution was ended,
Lincoln introduced a 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 a
vicious act and 70 show that greater
degree of ill-feeling existed between the
accuser and the accused. The prosecu-
tor 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 argu-
ment.
Slowly and carefully he reviewed the
testimony pointing out the hitherto unob-
served discrepancies in the statement of
the principal witness. That which had
seemed plain and plausible, he made to
appear crooked as a serpent's path. The
witness had stated that the affair took
place at a certain hour in the evening,
and that, by the aid of the brightly
shining moon, he saw the prisoner infiict
the death-blow with slung-shot. Mr..
Lincoln showed that at the hour referred
to, the moon had not yet appeared above
the horizon, and consequently the whole
tale was fabrication. An almost in
Simultaneous change seemed to have been
wrought in the minds of his auditors,
and the verdict of "not guilty" was at
the end of every tongue. But the advo-
cate was not content with this intellectual
achievement. 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 leaped forth from the soul
of the eloquent Lincoln. He drew a
picture of the perjurer so horrid and
ghastly that the accuser could sit under
it no longer, but reeled and staggered
from the courtroom, 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 father
less. and as husbands of wives whC
) might be widowed, to yield to no previou,
impressions, no ill-sounded prejudice, bu
to do his client justice; and as he alluded
to the debt of gratitude which he OWED
to the boys sire, tears wers seen to fal
from many eyes unused to weep.
j was near night when he concluded, by
saying that if justice was done-as h
i believed it would be-before the SUI
:. should set it would shine upon his ellen
: free man. The jury retired, and tn
= court adjourned for the day. Half a
/ hour had not elapsed, when, as th
e officers of the court and the voluntee
II attorney sat at the tea-table of their hote
J a messenger announced that the jury ha
returned to their seats. All repaire
a imm mediately to the courthouse, an
g whilst the prisoner was being brougt
h from jail, the courtroom was filled I
AS overfowing with citizens of the town.
ID When the prisoner and his mother er
E. tered, silence reigned as completely &
is though the house were empty. Th
ct foreman of the jury, in answer to ii
;h usual inquiry from the court, delivere
ed the verdict of " Not Guilty p I'll
as widow dropped into the arms of h'
'g son, who lifted her up and told her
he look upon him as before, free and inn
St cent. Then with the words, " Where
Mt Mr.. Lincoln?" he rushed across Il
~ room and grasped the hand of his deli
al erer, whilst his heart was too full f
lo utterance. Lincoln turned his e y
re towards the west where the sun ST
lai fingered in view, and then said, {" 1t
no not yet sundown, and you are free"
Oh confess that my cheeks were not whol
MS unwet by tears, and I turned from I
- affected scene. As cast glance behil
De- saw Abraham Lincoln obeying t
ice divine injunction by comforting the W
he owed and the fatherless.
fee