New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-05
MCFARLAND TRIAL
RICHARDSON'S MEMORY INDICATED


New YORK, May 1.-The tribune to-mor
row will print the following
A CAnD-Certain journals having seen tit
to censure the employment OF what they
term private counsel in the prosecution OF
the Mcfarland case, and to connect my
name Herewith, / feel impelled to state the
facts az they are, which l was forbidden to
DO on the witness stand. Daniel Mcfarland
is on trial for the murder of Albert d. Rich
ardson. His defense is insanity, the only
defense possible in view of the conceded
facts. On the merits Of that defense was
not called TO pronounce as witness, and
have nothing to say in any other capacity.
| trust the jury empanneied will render
true verdict thereon in the light OF all the
evidence that may be adduced. / have not
the faintest wish that they should regard 1t
with levity or untavorable prejudice. Esti-
mating the hanging Of one man q mistake,
should contemplate the hanging OF one in
sane with horror, and whether his loss OF
reason was impelled by truth or falsehood
makes no difference in the eye of the law.
My interest in this case centres not IN the
living but the dead. Albert d. Richardson
was nly friend. l have Travelled and camped
with him when we were almost alone on the
vast solitude of the plains; and knew him as
brave, generous and noble. l never heard
any one breathe whisper to his discredit
until this trouble arose. That he could be
is contrary to al ever knew or believed OF
him. That he could deliberately resolve to
install woman known TO him as leWd and
WantOn as the mother of his children is to
me utterly incredible. | am sure that the
truth which underlies this tragedy has not
vet been told-at all events IS not generally
understood. Richardson is dead, he can not
speak for himself. His memory must be
vindicated by the efforts Of his sur
vlving friends or not at all; and there
efforts must be put forth under great dis
advantages. The other story has possession
of the public ear. Powerful Influences and
interests are enlisted in its support. Every
scoundrel who looks upon woman merely as
an instrument OF his lust, and never aided
onein distress except with intent to make
her his prey, rushes instinctively to the con-
clusion that Richardson was a seducer; he
wants no evidence of this but such as he
finds in his own breast. And every enc ac-
customed to look on a wife merely as spe.
cies of property, whereof the title can not
be alielated by abuse any more than II she
were horse or dog, naturally lnciines to
the same verdict. Anxious only that the
whole truth in the premises should be de-
velopad and that my deceased friends
memory should be vindicated from unjust
aspersions, | called on the District Attorney
a few davs before that appointed for the
commencement Of this trial, 20 ask him if he
desired any aid in performing this duty
assigned him by law. l had not be-
fore seen Mr. Garvin since We were fellow
members of the Constitutional Convention,
and had not communicated with him IN any
manner. In answer to my inquiry, he said
he proposed 10 have an able counsellor asso-
ciated with him in the prosecution, and
named Mr. Edward Pierrepont as such cOun-
seflor called on Mr.. Pierrepont according.
", but he was obliged to try important cases
for the government throughout April, and
could not assign that PUBLIC duty to another.
| reported that decision to Mr. Garvln, who
soon afterward sent me word that he wished
Judge Noah Davis as his associate. | had
not suggested either name TO Mr.. Garvin, nor
indeed any other. | then called at Judge
Davis Office, and not finding him, stated
the District Attorneys wish TO his partner,
Judge Henry E. Davis. who assured me
that. if possible, Mr.. Garvin's request should
be obeyed. Such is the history OF my agency
in this matter. I acted in behalf of Mr..
Richardson's friends, and at the suggestion
of one of them residing in his native state.
I am sure he would have gladly done as
much and more for me, had it been my fate
to be first assassinated, and then unjustlv
covered with obioquy and his to survive. II
my efforts shall have contributed, as now
feel confident they will have done, to vlndl-
cate his memory from some part OF the
wrong which has been done it, shall re-
joice, whatever may be the fate of his des-
troyer.
(Signed) HORACE GREELEY.