Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-02-11
From the Baltimore Sun ]
The Trial of stevens, one of the Han
ner,S Ferry InYaders-His Conviction

ed this m0rnlng at IL D clock, when, atler
some unimporlanl business, the trial OF
Stevens was proceeded with. Owing TO
the severity Of the weather there was but
small attendance of spectators.
MIR. Small, one of the witnesses for the
State, testified that Stevens, among other
things, said the Virginians were set OF
thieves and robbers.
MIR. Scnneti interrupted the witness,and
said that he must cOnhne himself TO the
case under consideration, and remarked
that the Jury were men of as good sense
as the witness, and did not wish 10 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 Mr.. Sennet,
who objected to the receiving of the testl-
mony of the witnes. An exciting scene
here occurred between the witness and
Mr.. Sennen, ,and the judge had 10 call wit
ness 10 order.
Mr.. Sennelt 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
defense refused to make an effort for the
prisoner, il " would be proper TO appoint
counsel TO conduct the defense.
Mr.. Sennett stated that he was employ
ed by The prisoner, and not by the court,
and he would not withdraw at the dIscre'
ton of the counsel for the Commonwealth.
The affair was then quieted and the wit
ness proceeded.
The commonwealth concluded the case
at III o'clock, when the counsel for the
defense introduced as witnesses Sheriff
Campbell and ]. W. Gallaher, and the
TAILOR, testfyng to Stevens good conduct
whilst under their charge. They never
heard an oafh from him, and were pleased
with his general department.
The commonwealth here made prop
ositon 10 submit the case without argu-
ment, but the offer was declined by the
defense, no wished TO be heard for his
client.
Mr.. Harding made the opening argu-
ment, though he remarked that he scarce
lly deemed it necessary TO argue the case.
His speech was. indeed, rather political
Than otherwise, and the question of The
diss solution Of The Union claimed more at
ten,ion from Mr.. Harding than the prison
r er at the bar. He denounced as false
hood and libel the assertion of Capt. John
Brown he was TO receive aid from the la
boring classes at Harper's Ferry. He
+ claimed that they were true to the cons,i-
tuition and to the State, and referred to their
action in putting down the invaders Of
their soil.
After an eloquent reference TO the Amer
lean flag, Mr. Harding concluded with an
earnest appeal 10 the jury to vIndicae law
by their verdict. He called the prisoner
blood. thirsty william and wretch, charg-
ing that he was worse than Brown. He
concluded a, twelve o'clock, having occu-
pied one hour in the delivery OF his ad-
dress.
MIR. Sennetl, for the defense, made an
able and eloquent speech for the prisoner,
going into detailed narrative OF The ilse
and progress Of the republican party, and
closing with an earnest appeal to The jury
TO spare the life of the prisoner.
Mr.. Hunter then arose 10 close on the
part of the common W ealth, and for more
than an hour encbained the attention of
the court in one of The most powerful ar
gumen,s ever delivered in the courtroom.
He took up every position of the counsel
for the defense, and replied 10 them with
telling effect. He said he had no conf
dsnce in The Union meetings in the North
and said he thought that the invasion had
been benefit 10 the South, as 1t had
shown them the position in which they
were placed. He referred 10 Mr.. Hick-
mans boast of eighteen millions OF free
men in the North, 5nd declared that The
South was prepared for any emergency.
He concluded al 3 o clock, and after some
lime spent in drawing up instructions by
The counsel, the case was submitted TO ;he
+ jurv at 4 o'clock, who Immediately retir-
ed, and after an absence of fifteen minutes
returned with verdict of guilty against
the prisoner on al the counts charged in
The indictments. The prisoner received
the verdict OF the Jury with the most per-
feet indifference, and smiled al the an
nouncement.
The course Of Nr. sennett, in refusing
10 GROSS question The witnesses after his
colloquy with Mi. Hunter was no. gener-
ally approved, though he was sustained
by Stevens.
The JeffersonI Guards and Leteher Ca
dets were reviewed here yesterday by
Gov. Lecher. who expressed himself
much pleased a, their sodierly appear