The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-04-03
AMysterlous Proceeding.

we nnd the following In the Con-
gressional proceedings of Tuesday, the
Goth: s1
Mr.. Butler called the atteution Of mem,
berS to the fact that Mr.. Bingham had
revised aud altered and materially changed
the Globe reporters manuscript Of the
personal debate between himself and Mr..
Bingham. Mr.. Butler then laid on the
desk Of members a printed pamphlet
showing the report as written and the
report as printed. He characterized this
proceeding as most unfair, in defense of
bis own assertion made the other day,
that Mrs Surratt was hung without evi.
dence. Hechanged John Wilkes Booths
diary which showed all his movements
preparatory to the ASSASSINATION of Lin
coin, which was kept from the knowledge
of the Court, and it now appeared it had
been spoliated, by having eighteen pages
Of It cut out after it had got into the
hands Of the Government. He said there
is still-remaining in the diary, remarka-
bic instance within few hours before
Booths death. and quoted from memory
II have endeavored to cross the Potomac
five times aud failed. / propose TO re-
turn to Washington and give myself up,
and clear myself from this great crime"
He contsnded that this piece Of evidence
would have shown in his judgment The
whole ease now shows that Booth, up TO
certain hour, meant the capture and
abduction Of Mr.. Lincoln, and that he
changed his purpose and resorted to as
sassination. If Mrs. Surratt did not
know of this change, she would have had
no knowledge of the intended assassina.
tion, and therefore could not have been
convicted. fe
If all the testimony had been present.
ed, we shvuld have been able to pursue
the accOhplices, and find out who it was
that changed Booths purpose from cap.
ture to assassination who it was that was
to profit by the assassination, and who
would not profit by the capture of Lin
coin who it was that succeed 10 lincoln,
in case the bullet made vacancy.
Mr.. Bingham replied in the excitement
and hurry of the time, that it so happen.
ed that the report of my reply to the gen.
tlenen was the most imperfect report
ever sent to me of remarks made by me
in the House, and any gentleman may ex.
anime it, and he will fail to find in its
corrections single accusation that is not
by express words. or by necessary impli-
cation in the reporters notes. defy his
calumny (of what charge he is complain
ing Of that l said he had condemned
without knowing or caring for evidence !;
and say so yet. If he is the lawyer he
is reputed to be, then he is to be pltied
for coming here and arraigning his peers
for not consenting to admit the testimony
Of man accused, and made after the
fact. defy him by an Investigation
which he dare to institute here or any.
where to show that any communication
came into my hands purporting to be a
production of j. Wilkes Booth, that was
not made after fact, and long after the
fact. Is there any lawyer in America or
England who would say words and decla.
ratiOns Of an accused felon after the feet
is evidence which the advocate Of the
Government is bourd to admit in any
courtj | treat with contempt and scorn
any imitation from any quarter that or
my associate counsel were under obliga.
tions to admit any such evidence. The
common law-the growth and gathered
wisdom of thousand EXCLUDES it.
Perhaps that great monument Of wisdom
and learning is not equal to the incom.
parable genius of the incompatible hero
of Fort Fisher. Laughter, which the
Speaker endeavored to suppress.
| Mr.. Butler tried to get in a remark
bat Mr.. Bingham would not let him, add
ing that the gentleman from Massachu.
setts had no right to ask favors at biz
hands.
| Mr.. Bingham continued: I never saw
any memoranda by ]. Wilkes Booth
which indicated any plan or motive by
which he was to carry out his projected
conspiracy. | never saw any such thing
and | am not surprised that the gentle
man would not let me see tho book which
he put into his pocket.
Mr.. Butler again essayed to make or
explanation, but with no better result
!. Mr.. Bingham said: No, sir; l do no
care aboutlt. Having refused to let m,
inspect the book on which he based h
charge, he may now initiate the exampl,
seen in the vision of the Apocalypse, ant
turn round and eat it. laughter. Th,
gentleman talks Of spoliated book,
Who spoliated itI That d about as in
terestiug query as that which I referre,
to the other day-vho killed cock robin
T Who knows that tits spoliated2 IfJohl
Wilkes Booth tore pages out Of it, wa
that spoliation 2
The gonteman's words are as impotcn
as they are unwarranted, Let the galleC
jade vince my withers are unwrung.
challenge him, and dare him here or any
where, in this tribunal, or any tribunal
to assert that | spoliated any boek. Sucl
: n charge - that, without any title 0
evidenee;is only fit to come iscn.a maj
who. lives in bottle and is fed with
spoon. [Laughtsr,J What is the othe
statement here, showing the heartlessnes
Of this accusationi I'll utter disregard
and contempt for all decency and al law
I Il is that | controlled the eoyidenoo in th
Court. The gentleman knows ! was no
: the official organ Of that Court. He know
: its recorder was the Judge advocate. gen
eral Of the United State /; aud yet am
0 be at fault because Idid not overulo th
hfI,o;al aroan 40 tbn Courk Tho ,.o,ti,