The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-16
[FRoM OUR SPECIAL REPoRrsR.l


The interest in the trial of Robert Hayes
Mitchell, OF York County, now in progress In
the United States Circuit Court, on charges OF
conspiracy, continues unabated, and Ii any
thing increases as the defence piles up the
testimony in refutaiion OF the charges brought
against the prisoner.
The courtroom to-day was more densely
packed than on any preceding day, but strict
decorum was observed, and as some point
thought by the prosecution to be we'll estab-
lshed aud of Importance was eliminated,
while looks of satisfaction could be seen in the
faces of a majority of the spectators, no dem
onstrations Of applause were attempted as had
been the case on previous days.
The defence put upon the stand number
Of witnesses who corr0borated the testimony
of Mrs. julia Rainey, given last evening, as To
the state Of feeling among the people, and the
manysacts OF incendiarism that marked the
period during which the prosecution claim
people. 1t has been shown most concusiVeiy
by both the white and colored witnesses, aud
by citizens of unfmpeachable standing and
character, not only in York County, but
throughout the Stale, that the people Of that
county lived In O terrible state of fear and
bring forth; that many gin-houses were burn
ed, and that threats 10 burn clean and to Kill
were made by prominent and leading colored
men. 1t appeared In the evidence given by
more than one colored man, that Jim Will
liams the captain of one Of the militia compa.
MES, had threatened to kill ''from the cradle
to the grave"
II was with much difficulty that the counsel
foCsShe defence could proceed with their wit
nelsss in several instances. on account OF the
frequent and fimsy obje ions raised by the
prosecution as TO relev, ..Gy or admssibility
of the damning evidence against their cause.
Thus, much valuable time was wasted, and
Messrs. Stanberry and johnson put 10 unne-
cessary trouble 10 argue and answer the objec-
tiors. But the truth will prevail, and piece by
piece. and link oy link, is being added to the
long. increasing and unbroken chain OF testi-
mo1y which ia to overthrow these stupendous
projects, undoubtedly concocted for political
effect.
In the examination to-day, the cross-exami-
nations of the colored witnesses for the de-
fence were conducted as If the guiding feeling
in the matter were one OF chagrln at their
being Democrats, and determination was
eynCrd to break them down, If possible, IN
the sight and estimation of others OF their
race, who may be of different political stripe.
This however, was Of no avail, and only
served to strengthen the testimony with all
who listened ir
Among The mauy witnesses examined for
the dSfsnce was ex Judge 4. B. Carpenter,
who testified as to the state Of feeling in York
County during the last political campaign. ne
having visited that place In the course OF his
canvass of The State. His testimony went to
show most conclusively that the people were
and that this feeling was general and ex-
pressed. In answer to question relative 70
the objects of the Reform party, OF Wnicn
party ne was then the gubernatorial candl-
date, Judge Carpenter stated that IL mad no
national political significance. but was COM
posed OF men OF different polllcai procIVitles, y,
whose only object was to secure reform ID
the State government; and further IN reply 10
q question to that effect, the judge stated thas
It's object was not to reform the Radical party,
as that was conceded to be beyond reform:
Mr.. John T. Bratton s'ided that Jim VIII
liams said onthe Friday before March That ne
was going to kill s'from the cradle up" that
he gave no reason therefor. and at that time
colOred people were lying out armed ABOUT
the church at Yorkville.
Bill Lindsey, another colored man, gave
testimony equally as unimpeachaole; also
Daniel McLaw, colored, whose evidence was
of like character.
Massrs. David Thomas, John R. LDwery and
others, gentlemen of York County, gave their
testimony In unmisIakable manner ana
tenus Mr. Fudge testified that Jim Williams
h I'D him that If they (the colored people)
d lot carry This elpction-referring to the
October eieciion-lhey would lay waste from
the cradle to the grave, and apply the torch IN
every direction.
The defence have not yet finished with
their testimony, and the probabilities are
that several more days may be occupied IN
this important trial. One thing Is certain, the
defence intend to get ut the truth-the bot
tom of the matter.
The grand jury presented true bills to-day
against John A. Mitchell and others, John
Lyttle and others. and john. L. Parker and
others, all of York G, unity. Tney found no
Bill against Bishop Sandifer and William
Thomasson.
The petit jury. in the case now on trial, is
taken in charge by deputy marshal and
kept together.