Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-02-01
(Annspolis Correspondence. }


cal position Of the prisoner at the bar"
"a lady Who. in her premiere juenes.e."
was the ''fairest of the fair" fascinating.
accomplished. amiable and of kindest i'm
puises-,he once blooming bride and cher
ished wife Of q young and gallant soldier,
and in her latter years to her great calam-
ity. his doomed widov-the mother Of a
young and lovely chiid-a girl. who like
a rose bud "wi,h all its leaves still fold
ed" hangs droopingly on the parent and
withercd stcm-the assailed reputation Of
the attending physician" conflicting
statements and. opinions Of most learned
.experts-i1scheNistry- and medicine-thc
ill-coucealed hatred Of rival professors Of
rival universities-all these things and
circumstances taken together. have inves-
ted this trial with an interest and impart-
ed TO it celebrity that viii long survive
the present generation and the one that
will follow it. Though DESTROYS to hear
the trial Of this case, and partaking 10
some measure Of the mixed feelings of Gu
riosity, sympathy and horror that perva-
ded this community. ] doubt very much
il would have undertaken the labor and
fatigue Of attendance at the Court House
had it not been for the interest I felt in
the gentlemen retained for the defence, and
the high estimate | had formed of their
legal requirements and forensic ability.
With two Of them (Mcssrs. Steele and
Thomas) have 4 personal acquaintance
1t would be an exaggera.ion to say friend
ship. Mr.. Steele is one of the very few
survivors Of many. whose society | found
myself in and enjoyed .'long time ago"
Mr.. Thomas is native, as you are well
aware. Of St. Mary's county. and a mem
Der (and noe a distinguished men,ber) of
a family that has observed well Of the
republic" aud which has given Govern
or and Senators to the State in times of
peace and gallant soldiers in time of
war With Mr.. Hagner I have no per-
sonal acquaintance at all. lie is favora-
bly, known to and highly esteemed by
many gentlemen in your county. and is
known To almost all az the as;ute. elo-
quent. but unsuccessful opponent of the
late Col. Hu ghcs in the congressional
campaign of lS5-.
OF the three gentlemen above named,
two. Mcssrs. lIagner and Thomas, have
addressed the jury, and concluded their
argument for defence. Mr. S has fol-
lowed Mr. Thomas. but owing to cxhaus-
ton consequent on cnfeebla health and
constant attention to this unprecedcnteGly
protracted trial. he was compelled to ask
the Court to adjourn over to Saturday,
when he will resume his searching ex-
animation Of the facts and testimony pre-
scntcd to the Jury by the State.
had not the pleasure Of listening to
the opening of Mr. Ilagncr's speech for the
defence on Wednesday last. was more
fortunate on yesterday (Thursiay) when
he closed his eloquent and overwhelming
appeal. Ills delivery is graceful. bis ut
terauccs clear and piercing. his argument
logical aud condensed. often,imes play
fully sarcastic. and he has the art of
saying the scveress things in the mildcst
and mos, good natured manner possible
He evidently has not confined his reading
to ..Dises;s" and to ponderors trca,ises
on law and equity. His language, style
and illusions evinced familiarity with
ancicn, and modern literature. and the
cultivated taste of Hon. Judge r. Ford,
had he been present. would have been
soo,hed with ideas and sentences. rclolen,
of his fayorite author, Horace "
When Mr. Thomas rose to address the
jury. felt an anxiety as TO the result, and
as to the impression he would make. tha,
was positively painful. County pride. and
kindly feeling for the family of which
he is member (and nor distinguished
mcmber) from one branch Of which ex-
pcrienced on my first arrival in the coun-
ty many and kind attentions. and had extern
ded to me a warm, unos'eutatious and re-
fined hospitality. added to the unsel6>h
interests which most old men take in the
success and rising reputation Of the '.pos'
natl" eonspired to awaken in my mind
sensations of anxious hopes and fears tha,
at once panied and surprised me.
The opening sentences Of his cxordium
were not calculated TO aliay friendly ap-
prehension. He FASTENED to arraign the
press" at lcas, a portion of it, for hav-
ing given circulation to many and muir
derous calumnics" agains, his client. He
appeared to me to be ,reading on volcanic
ground. There was a chivalrous daring.
little tempered with prudence in making
such an onslaught. The last words Of
friendship aud ad ice spoken to me BY an
old friend Ian employee of the London
press) many years ago. and intended as
an equivalents for some Sigh, services rem
dered him BY me. flashed across my mind
Never" said he. ..under any provoca-
ton or temptation allow yourself to be
drawn into quarrel with the press or
It's mployees-no-not even With prin-
ter's devil"
Observation and experience have taught
me to appreciate the value of his admoni-
ton. and was panied TO hear and see Mr..
Thomas eaurting the hostility of pow
er omnipo,ent TO crush and to destroy
But he did no, dwell long on tina; danger
Gus topic. bu, soon grappled with the diff