The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-06-29
The Conspiracy Trial.

The Proceedings In the conspiracy
cases on Monday embraced the arguments
of portion of the defense. Hon Rever-
dy johnson read an opinion against the
jurisdiction of the Court, concluding
with brief review of the testimony IN
the case of Mrs. Surratt, in which he
contended that the two witnesses, WEIGH
man and Lloyd, had involved themselves
more. than they had the lady against whom
they testified. Mr.. Stone made defense
of Harold, and Mr.. Cox reviewed at length
the case of O'Laughlin and Arnold, argu-
ing that there was no evidence to show
that they had anything to do with any
conspiracy against the life of Mr.. Lincoln.
On Tuesdry, Mr.. Ewing, counsel of
Spangler, reviewed the evidence in the
case of his client at great length. He
contended that in attending to Booth S
horse Spangler acted only as an ordinary
drudge; that the rope about which so
much had been said, found in Spangler's
carpet-bag, had been taken by him for
fishing purposes, and that the prepara-
tions made in the theatre for the assassi-
nation prior to the event, had evidently
been done by Booth, who always had
ready access to the house. At the con-
clusion of his argument the court ad-
journed.
On Wednesday, Mr.. Doster, counsel
for Payne, read long defense of his
client. He did not attempt to deny that
Payne had been proved guilty, but en-
deavored to palliate his crime on the
ground that in attempting to assassinate
Secretary Seward, Payne was merely do.
ing what he believed to be right. A
sketch of Payne's life was given, to show
he was pro-slavory fanatic, and that his
endeavor to murder the man whom he
lorked upon as one of the important expo
nents of anti-slavery doctrines was ma
tural result of his Southern education
Mr.. Doster did not, of course, approve of
Payne's act, but insisted shat he was not
hired assassin, and that the court should
consider, how far he was acting from hon
est conviction. He also read a confession
of Atzerott. The prisoner confesses that
he entered into Booths first conspiracy
to capture President Lincoln, but says
that when afterwards that became i'm
practicable, and assassination was pro-
posed, he declined to have anything fur
ther to do with the plot He states that
Booth wanted him to murder Vice Pres
ident Johnson, but that he refused to DO
so.
Another argument in defence of Mrs.
Surratt was read by Mr.. Aiken, after
which the court adjourned till Friday
Ewing, on Friday, made an able de-
fense for Arnold and Mudd, which was
earnestly listened to by the Corut and
spectators. One witness was produced
by the Government to prove that Merritt
saw Clay in Montreal in February last,
an efert having been made by the Toronto
Ledger to impeach this witness testimony,
evidently at the instigation of Sanders
and others of that ilk.
The argument for the prisoners being
closed, the court adjourned till to-day,
when the arguments for the prosecution
are to be presented, which, it is expected,
will be concluded tomorrow. When the
argument on both sides is closed the
Court will decide upon the verdict and
sentences in each case, the record of
which will be made up and forwarded to
the President for review of proceedings
according to forms of court martial in
capital cases. If the proceedings are ap-
proved the sentence is then announced
to the prisoners, and if disapproved the
same course is taken.