The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1860-06-15

cation. The counsel for defense propouu-
ded but few questions, aud those Of a
character which excited no uneasincss
on the part Of the rosecutor-mofely in
most cases, requiring the main witness I
to be definite as to time end place.
When the evidence Of the prosecution /
was ended, Lincoln introduced few wit
nesses to remove some erroneous impress
sions IN regard to the previous charaoter
of his client, who though somewhat row
dyish, had never been known to commit a
vicious act; and 70 show that a greater
degree Of ill-feeling existed between the
nccuser and the accused than the accOs-
cd and the deceased, The prosecutor
felt that the case was clear one, and his
loponing speech was brief and iormal.-
Lincoln arose, while a dcathly silence
prevaded the vast audience, and IN a clear
I but moderate tone began his argument.
Slowly and carefully he reviewed tae tes-
timouy, pointing out out the hitherto un-
observed discrepancies in the statements
Of the principal witness. That which
he'd seemed plain and plausible, he made
TO appear crooked as sorpents path
The witness stated that the affair took
place at a certain hour Ia the evening,
and that, by the aid ofthe brightly shin
ing moon. he saw the prisoner inhict the
b death blow with slungshot. Mr., Lin
J coin 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 instanta-
neous change seemed 20 have been
} wrought in the minds Of his auditors, end
, the verdict of "not guilty" was at the end
Of every tongue. But the advocate wal
not content with this intellectual achieve.
ment. His whole being had for month,
? been bound up In this work of gratitude
d and mercy, and, as the lava of the over
charged cratar bursts from It's imprison
mont, so great thoughts and burning
x words leaped forth from the soul Of TIKI
n eloquent Lincoln. He drew a picture o
the perjurer so horrid aud ghastly thai
the nccuser could sit under il no longer
but reelod and staggered from the cour
room, whilst the audience iancied they
d could see the brand upon his brow. Thei
in words Of thrilling pathos Lincoln ap
lpealed to the jurors as fathers of sons VIII
4 might become fatherless, and as husband
of wives who might be widowed, TO yiel
n 20 no previous impressions, no ill-found
!. ed prejudice, but 20 do his client Justice
n and as he alluded TO the debt of gratitud
: which he owed the boys sire, tears wer
i seen TO fall from many eyes unused I
A weep. 1t was near night when he con
/. cluded by saying that IL Justice was don
Il las he believed il would be-beforc tn
q sun should set il would shine upon hi
If the court adjourned for the day. Halra
AT hour had not elapsed, when as the of
No. GERS of the court and the volunteer alto
Ne ney sat at the tea-table of their hotel,
lie messenger announced that the Jury hO
10 returned TO their seats. SAll repaired in
es mediately TO the court house, and whil
n the prisoner was being brought from II
IN, jail, the court room was filled to owe
IN flowing with citizens ofthe town. WhC
lis the prisoner and his mother entered, 8
nd lence reigned as completely us thoug
C. the house were empty. The foreman
n the jury,in answer to the usual inquii
p- from the court, delivered the verdict
ed "Not Guiltyl" The widow dropped in
.l- the arms of her son, who lifted her l
In and told her to look upon him as befor
re free and innocent. Then, with the wor'
a. Where is Mr. Lneolnl" he rushl
IT. across the room and grasped the hand
e- his deliverer, whilst his heart was L
es full for uttcrance. Lincoln turned h
Ia eyes toward the west, where the sun st
no fingered in view, and then, turning
of the youth, said, at is not yet sundow
es and you are free" / confess that u
DIV checks were not wholly unwet by tea
. and l turned from the affecting scene.'
Of As | cast glance behind, II saw Abr
he ham Lincoln obeYing the divine injun
. ton, by comforting the widowed and Il
Vi fatherless. II.