Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-02-07
The Trial of Stevens, one of the Harpor's
Ferry Inyaders---His Conviction.

Tho i rial OF stevens, one Oh Inc ndrpoF
Ferry Invaders---His Conviction.
! Cu,RIEsrows, February 4.--The court opened
this morning to 10 o'clock, when. after
i'm portan, business, the trial Vt Stevens pro-
eeeded With Owing to the severity VI tho wef-
thar there was but Il small attendance 6f speeta-
tors. -
! Mr. Small ono OF the witnesses for The Sta'e,
testified that Stevens. among other things, said
the Virsinians were set ut thieves and robbers.
| Mr. oennetl INTERRUPTED the witness, aud said
that he must confne himself to the case under
considerations and remarked that the jury were
men OF as good sense ns the witness, anu did not
wish To hear such testimony.
The interruption Of Mr.. Sennett caused good
deal of dissatisfaction in tbs .urt. The witness
again proceeded. but WAS SCUM interrupted again
nv Mr. Sennett, who objected to the receiving OF
the testimony OF the witness. An exciting sceno
here occurred between the witness and Mr.. oen-
lnett, and tue Judge had to call witness to order.
Mr.. Sennett declared if tho declarations OF the
witness were received, he would make no further
attempt 10 Interfere i'll the cnse.
MIR. Hunter said if the counsel Tor the defense
refused to mako effort tor the prisoner, 1t
would be proper to nppaiDt counsel t. conduct
the defense.
Mr.. sennot, stated that he was employed by
the prisoner, and not by the court, And Ire would
not withdraw At the discretion Of the counsel f'r.
the Commonwealth The affair was then quieled
unl the witness proceeded.
The commonwealth concluded the case at Ii 80
o'clock, when the counsel for the deteii,c into.
duced ns witnesses Sheriff Campbell and }. W.
Galliger, the jailer, tcstifyng to Stevens good
conduct whilst under their charge. They never
heard all oath from him. and were pleased with
his general department.
The commonwealth here madoa proposition to
submit tt case without argument, but the Offer
was declined by the defense, whu wished 10 be
heard Tor his client.
Mr.. Harding made the opening argument, tho
he remarked thar TIC scarcely deemed 1t necessary
IL argue the case. Ills speech VIA, Indeed, La
ther political than otherwise, and the question vi
tho dissolution Of the Union claimed Inure atten-
ton from Mr.. Harding than the prisoner III the
barr lie drnnunced AS talsehood and liDcl the
assertion IF Captain Brown that he was to receive
aid from the laburing classes at Ii rper's Ferry.
lie clauied that they were to the constitution
and to the State and referred to their action III
putting down tho invaders of their soil.
Alter an eloquent reference to the American
llas. Mr.. Il.ring concluded with earnest APP.
peal /, the Jury ylndicatc law bv their verdict.
lie Called TIC prisvner II baud-thlrsty william and
wretch, eta nag that he WAS worse than brown.
lie cuin2dei al twelve O'Clock. having occupied
one hour III the delivery Of HIS address,
Mr.. ScnGett, Tor the defence, made an able and
eloquent speech for the prisoner, going into de-
taiieI narrative ot tho rise ana progress vi the
republican party, and closing with an earnest APP
peal to the jury 10 spare the lilo of The prisoner.
Mr.. liunte: then arose to close OH the part vi the
commonwealth, and for more than an hour en-
chained the attention ol the court in ono Of the
most powerful arguments ever delivered in the
courtroom. lie took up every position of tue
counsel for the defense. and replied to them with
telling effect lie said he had no confidence in
Tie Union meetings in the North, and said lie
Thought that the invasion had been benefit to the
South, n, it had shown them the position III which
they were placed. lie referred u Mr.. Hickman
asst of eighteen millions of treemen in the North
and declare that the South vas prepared for any
emergency. lie concluded NJ O'clock, and after
some time spent III drawing UP instructions ~ the
counsel, the case was subnlittcd to the jury ut /
y clock who Immediately retired, and after an abb
scnce of 10 minutes returned with verdict of
guilty against the prisoner all the counts char
ged in the indictments. Tne prisoner received
tho verdict OF the ury with the most perfect IN
difference. aud smiled ut the announcement.
The course OF MIR Scnnet, IN refusing to cross
question the witnesses alter his colloquy with Mr.
Hunter, was not generally approved, though he
was su, tanned by Stevens.
The Jefferson Guards and I.rtcher Cadets were
reviewed here yesterday by Gov Letchor, who ex.
pressed himself much pleased at their soldieriy
appearance.
| The Governor leit this afternoon for Richmond.
" Aist here lie was called on by most OF our pro-
mlnent citizens, who expressed themselves much
granted with the interview
lazetts case will come up on Monday. lie
will be defended by Virginia counsel, as Mr.. SEN
nett will return to Boston tomorrow.