The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-02-14
TRIAL AND CONVICTION of STEVENS,
One Of the Harper's Ferry Invaders.

| CHARLEsTowN, Feb. 4.-The court opened and
the trial of Stevens was proceeded with He wa,
defended by MIR Sennett, Boston lawyer.
Mr. Small, one of the witnesses for the State
testified that Stevens, among other things, said
the Virginians set of thieves and rob
bers.
Mr. Sennett interrupted the witness, and said
that he must confne himself to the case under
consideration, and remarked that the jury were
men of as good sense as the witness, and did not
wish to hear such testimony
The interruption of Mr. Sennett caused GOOD
deal of dissatisfaction in the court. The witness
again proceeded, but was soon interrupted again
by MIR Sennett, who objected to the receiving Of
the witness. An exciting scene here occurred be-
tween the witness and Mr. Sennett, and the Judge
had to call witness to order
Mr. Sennett declared if the declarations of the
witness were received he would make no further
attempt to interfere in the case.
Mr. Hunter said, if the counsel for the defence
refused to make effort for the prisoner it would
be proper to appoint counsel to conduct the de-
fence.
Mr. Sennett stated that he was employed by the
prisoner, and not by the Court, and he would not
withdraw a; the discretion of the counsel for the
Commonwealth The affair was then Quoted and
| the witness proceeded.
The Commonwealth concluded the at IL
ed as witnesses Sheriff Campbell and j. W. CALI
whilst under their charge. They never heard an
oath from him, and were pleased with his general
department.
| The Commonwealth here made proposition to
! submit the case without argument, but the offer
was declined by the defence, who wished to be
heard for his client.
Mr. Harding made the opening argument, though
he remarked that he scarcely deemed it necessary
to argue the His speech Was, indeed, rather
political than otherwise, and the question OF the
dissolution of the Union claimed more attention
from Mr. Harding than the prisoner at the bar.
He denounced falsehood and libel the asser-
tion of Capt Brown that he was to receive aid
from the laboring classes at Harper's Ferry. He
claimed that they were true to the Constitution and
to the State, and referred to their action in put
ting down the invaders Of their soil.
After an eloquent reference to the American
flag, Harding concluded with earnest appeal to
the jury to vindicate the law by their verdict. He
called the prisoner blood-thirsty villain and
wretch, charging that he was worse than Brown.
He concluded at twelve o'clock, having occupied
one hour in the delivery of his address.
Mr. Sennett, for the defence. made able and
eloquent speech for the prisoner, going into de-
tailed narrative of the rise and progress of the Re-
publican Party, and closing with an earnest appeal
to the jury to spare the life of the prisoner.
Mr. Hunter then arose to close on the part of the
Commonwealth, aud for more than an hour enchain-
ed the attention of the Court in one of the most
powerful arguments ever delivered in the Court
room. He took up every position of the counsel
for the defence, and replied to them with telling
effect He said he had no confidence in the North
and said he thought that the invasion had been a
benefit to the South, it had shown them the
position in which they placed. He referred
to Mr. Hickmans boast Of eighteen millions Of
freemen in the North, and declared that the South
was prepared for any emergency. He concluded
at three o'clock and after some time spent in draw
ing up instructions the case submitted to the
jury at four O'Clock, who Immediately retired, aad
after an absence of fifteen minutes returned with
verdict of guilty against the prisoner on all the
counts charged in the Indictment. The prisoner
received the verdict jury with the most perfect
Indifference, and smiled at the announcement.