Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-14

THE TRIAL OF SUTHERLAND This most ex
traordinary trial has closed with the acquitta of
the accused The facts developed in the test
m my can be briefly stated Small and Sulher-
land were employed in tie indianapolis and Gin
clnnati railroad blacksmith shop, the former as
foreman. Sutherland desired to supplant Small
and this occasioned rivalry and jealousy between
them. Finally a casual meeting occurred upon a
public street. when Sutherland, after Small had
lett him. drew a pistol. fired, the ball entering
his back. killing him. No one can read the ev
dence upon the trial without coming to the con
cusion that the killing OF Small was cool, de
liberate and intended murder The counsel for
the defense concsde this to be the case but jus
tily the act upon the ground that the murder Of
Small was necessary for the security and safety
of Sutherland
At the interview which resulted in the killing
of Small. the latter gave 10 provocation
for the assault; he had no deadly weapon
in his possession: when Sutherland drew the
deadly weapon. Small exclaimed DO not shoot
me, and this dangerous man. as the defense
attempted 20 prove him, turned away TO save his
life
As n distinguished Republican LAWYER who had
social political :, mpathy or intercourse with
the deceased remarked after hearing AL the tesri
moLv. il there failure TO convict under the
indictment in this case il would be useless 10 try
men Tor murder IN Marion county We have no
recollection of Small and we know not Sulher-
land, and we torn our opinion OF the case entire
ly upon the testimony, and We can arrive nj no
other conclusion than that, il Sutherland did not
murder Small no confidence can be placed in the
testimony oi mankind
The plea of the defense most remarkable.
The killing OF Small. while deieGseesS. VAS not
denied But religious and party considerations
we're urged to justify the homicide Sutherland,
l.. Il 81 NJ,
ing man. sincere follower OF the meek and lowly
Jesus. while Small, it was charged, would occa
sionaly take drink in saloon But the acts
Of Sutherland were strangely inconsistent with
the moral code, the Christian principles. which he
adopted his guide in life and TO govern his
intercourse with his fellow men. SAYS the Chris
tan code. Thou shalt not kill, +" and il Is the
duty of every man to love his neighbor as him
self. The attorney for Sutherland SAYS he was
n PRAYING man. but this protested follower OF
Jesus rises from his knees, with the weapon OF
death concealed upon MS person, meets the lie
ceased. and .shen his life or injury TO his person is
not endangered. aud after his victim has turned
fr0m him. deliberately shoots him down Christ
censured Peter for even drawing his sword and
striking OF the seryant't ear, yet the Christian
counsel of the Christian Sutherland applauds
the killing of unarmed, and. as the evidence
shows, al unOtfendng maj But the council
Tor the defendant justify the homicide upon
another ground Satherllnd i loyal -
and Small Was "hissing traitor therefore il
Wa no crime To violate the laws oil God. - vel
the laws Of the lsnd Who made thee Judge
OF the motive, aud heart OF thy fellow man!
>mall VS. htrd working man. HIS labor
helped sustain the Government He was a
producer. not consumer. ike his sccuser. who
lives upon the labor 90 the community. He was
not Republican hence the cry. Cruelty him,
cruelty him. and "release unto Is Birribas
Ii Sutherland had aEy reason TO fear Small
the law provided lin remedy And lie should
az least have exhausted all legal and Christian
remedies before Re assumed the fearful respousi-
hility OF taking the lie OF a fellow man, whet
there WAS 10 necessity whatever for Il ~ self
defense: depriving iurocen family OF a hus
band AMI father. upon whom thew relied ior pro
lection lnd support Ia civilized States. ever
safeguard j. provided Tor the protection of huml
te but it murder i Justified upon the erouhl
assumes, ia this trial all the restraints of la" Wi
be oosened. and the passions OF men, not lnstc
OF Christian principles. will judge their fellows