Owyhee bullion. [volume] (Silver City, I.T. [Idaho]) 1866-1867, 1866-12-06
NO. 4.
spEEoR OF EX-GOVERNOR wELLnN.

, A norman lawyer named Stout, who
associated himself in the prosecution to
discover the mufde 'ers Of DR.. Robinson,
on the occasion of the late inquest, took
exceptions to some remarks of his asso-
ciate in the case, ex- x-Governor Weller.
touching on the wicked effect of Mormon
.terchings, and made a long harangue in
defence Of the Mormons. The ex-Gov-
ernor replied as follows:
| regret that am called upon to make
any reply to the gentleman's strange and
and very peculiar speech. | have made
no charge, as be intimates that the police
were implicated 10 this murder If l
had believed so | would have said SO, for
| know of no place on the face of the
earth where dare not speak my honest
opinion. / have not one particle of proof
to fasen this murder upon the police of
this city, aud above all upon Heath,
whom | regard as one of the most gen
tlemanly men | have met in thelcity. [
said | came into this investigation with
out fear, favor or affection | have nev-
er found the place where | was afraid to
avow the opinion | honestly entertain.
If had been able during the investiga-
tion to fasten this murder upon the city
authorities, or prove that the police we're
engaged in it, no power short of the hand
ofthe assassin could have prevented me
from declaring it here and anywhere.
went into this investigation to elicis the
whole truth So far as have called at.
tention to the teachings it has been
to show that they lead to blood
shed. | said had nothing to do with
the customs or religion of your people.
If FIVE or six of your females choose to
marry one man it is none Of my business.
But, sir, did bring forward evidence to
show that the teachings in the Taberna-
Gle were calculated to induce the people
to take the law in their own hands. You
have right to worship God in your own
manner, but you haqe no right to teach
the people to take the law into their own
hands. Was it any attack upon the re-
ligiou of the people to endeavor to dem
onstrate that there are teachings of
Mormons calculated to bring about blood
shed and murder? Sir. | do not forget
| am standing upon American soil, and
for the time being, under the protection
Of the American flag; and as a lawyer [
have free right to give utterance to my
opinions. know that some of the Jury
have been impatient that questions have
been asked here which they deemed ir-
relevant, am glad of their advice
Although an old lawyer of considerable
experience in criminal Courts, it is never
too late to learn even from Jurors. I
have adduced certain testimony to show
the public teachings, and that they have
eliminated in boodshed. l have no
evidence to charge the police with
this mnrder, but | do charge them with
want of vigilance. That is my opinion,
and l have expressed it. | have said if
my colleague had been assassinated there
would have been a greater manifestation
of vigilance on the part of the police.
1t has been asserted here that l inquired
into the systems of poligamy, but / be-
lieve never asked such question. 1
simply inquired ifthe people were taught
to disregard the laws. Is has been in
troduced by the Mayor and other witness
ses, but avoided by me. Gentlemen of
the jury, have no doubt about your ver-
dict-that this man was killed by band
Of six or seven mon unknown to you.-
Again say that I have not particle of
evidence by which l could fasten upon
any individual that | believe was engag-
ed in this murder. If had, before God
| would have avowed it, FIR I would
speak here as would anywhere, frankly
and freely.
The verdict of the jury was to the eff
feet that the deceased had died by the
hands of some persons unknown to the
jury.
Perfect Intppritv and a nrnnnrlv cnak-