Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-06-29
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CJIRJ0VS DEFENSES.

The manner in which the conspirators at
Washington have been defended, will, in flu
ture, be alluded to as among the curio sites of
legal experience Revcrdy johnson, after
having put in plea in bar, returns to plea
in abatement, and presents an argument upon
The jurisdiction of the Court. The other coun-
sci for Mrs Surratt argues that she is
christian women" could not therefore be
guilty Of completely with the assassination, al
though her house was refuge for conspira-
tors, bloekade-runncrs, and strange pers5''s
who came mysterious end departed silently and
although she took special trip ON the day of
the assassin otion to apprise Lloyd that on that
night the carbines would be called for. as in.
deed they were by Booth and Harold. The
cousel for Spabgler argue that lie could not
have had anything to do with the murder, be-
cause they admit that he was a thief. The
counsel for Harold declare that lie is boy
and fool and knew the roads in St. Mary's
county. but as he accompanied Booth in his
fight from Washington, aud was ready noun
ted for the purpose, it will be difficult to make
it appear that he knew nothing beforehand of
the intended assassination. The counsel Of
Payne having miserable failed in their effort
to show that he was insane, now declare that
he engared IN the assassination plot because
he was poor, and because lie admired Booth.
In other words, he attempted the life of Mr..
| c, nj IF OF 4
ey," which ale, Of course, good reasons for the
murder of any man.
The defense of Arnold and O'Loughlin adj
mits that they had been engaged in the first
plot to seize the person of President Lincoln
and to garry him off to Richmond feat meaht
to- astonlsh the world" 1t failed, and they
Withdrew from the further prosecution of the
plot. although they knew what che new scheme
was. they never denounced their associates
, however, "they we're too honorable for that,
! and the fact, according to the argument, en-
. titles them to absolution from all punishment
l The argument for Atzeroth has not yet beer
f presented, bat from tie course of the evidences
$ upon his behalf, it will probably be fosud up
on the assumption that he is coward, ant
: was unlucky in love. Good reasons why h'
: should not be held guilty Of conspiracy t.
s murder Vice president johnson. The argu
i ment upon behalf Of DIR. Mudd, has not ye
# been presented.
It twill be found generally upon contradic
6 ton of the testimony of sotle of the Marylan
IS witnesses against him although the evidence
: WeiehmsAn, showing long conference be
a tween Booth, Mudd and Surrats at the Ma
Il tioaal Hotel, in Washington. is mistaken ant
: the fact THAT Dr.. Mudd sheltered Booth, Sc
+ his fractured leg, helped him and harold
; hide h swamp, and denied, when qucstione
: by the officers, that he Knew who the me-
9 we're that stopped at bis house, is damnini
II circumstance for which there is no explana
u ton. Whilst there may be some doabts upo
:, the evidence which will be weighed in fave
i Of certain of the prisoners. il is only just
say that Che arguments in their favor, instea
!, of convincing impartial people Of their limo
r cence, would naturally produce strong rr'
JUDGE against them.