New Orleans Republican., 1873-05-04
ARGUMENT OF 4. NORRIS CHESTER,
THE COLORED LAWYER.

ris Chester, Esq, delivered in the Criminal
Court on Tuesday, in the capital case OF
B. JamisOn, r. West and K. Brown, for the
killing of Isaac Walker, which de-
served the attention of the large attend
ance in the First District Court. and re-
-ceived the praises of the members of the
bar who devoted their time to listen TO It.
His whole conduct during the two days
which were consumed by the trial was an
evidence of an education which should be
the envy and emulation Of every member
of the bar. His early studies gave him ad-
vantages which shone brightly in contrast
with the efforts of some who have had only
a local education. The Attorney General
and district attorney took occasion to con
sratulate him, and in private expressed
their high commendation of his maiden
effort. A continuance OF the labor Mr.
Chester has devoted to this case, and an
extension of his erudition, will place him
in the front rank Of the New Orleans bar;
Nav it please the court, gentlemen of the
Jury 1t has happened to me, in my proies
sional experience, 10 address, i'll capital
uials, black juries in Africa and white ju
Ies III England, but to-day have the high
privilege OF appearing ip the metropolis OF
the South before % mixed jury of American
citizens. Standing as | do before this tri-
bunal eminent for its erudition and Integ-
rity, surrounded by IL bar of accomplished
juiists, and in the presence of numerous
spectators, who this day witness what they
never dreamed would happen, fancy that
the combined scene presents spectacle OF
judicial progress and municipal grandeur
Ii shall Oe my pride not oni to observe the
oath which ] have registered in the Su
preme Court. but TO 80 deport myself az a
member OF the bar as to raise in public es
truation the condition aud character of the
people with whom ! am identified, and. il
possible, hasten the period when al! unidw
1ul prejudices aud prescriptions shall have
ceased, SO that the two races may be
iudicousy united in facilitating the majesty
and prosperity OF the State.
The cour9 will fully appreciate the
situation when l say that my position
is likely for some time to be en-
barassing, but l doubtless will re-
ceive that indulgence from the bench to
which the peculiar circumstances Justly en-
title me. TO the members Of the bar | con
tess that am not insensiblc to the difficult
ties which shall have to encounter. and
the absence OF that assistance and CO.. opera
tion so usually and cheertHlly accorded
ny tHt olUcT W youhStl VI tIe
profession, but, III my anomalous position,
AM likely to err, which, l trust, Will excite
your charity when you remember that By
iorce of circumstances ] am compelled to
rely entirely upon my individual perseyer-
ance and resources. The spirit which per
vades this scene is quickened by that JUS
gice whose fountain is in Heaven, and when
she commonwealth becomes imbued with
q genihs, its greatness, prosperity and hap
anil Il lao. rad t,p
the first time in my native land in my pro
tcssiUnal capacity, before a court of juGlca-
tnre, trust your honor viii pardon this
depression.
This crowded courtroom, the interest
manifested. the concentrated attention of
the bar and the solemn bearing of the court
attest that an important trial is progress
ing. 1t speaks well for the regard which
the people have in public Justice to be pres
ent during its administration. For lgLt
months three citizens have been deprived
of their liberties. and are now upon trial
for their lives. Beauregard Jamison, Rich
ard Brown and Robert West have been ar
rested, indicted and are now being tried
for the murder of Isaac Walker, the highest
crime known to the law. l am not in
tiuenoed by motives of public policy, but
from Il sense of private convection when
declare that in all cases OF preIncditated
UuENtf lhul tht Ea sV'aofSiN siiCuiN pf S"iib
and terrible; hut II, in your haste and in
dgnation to appease the offended majesty
Of the law, YOU stained the temple Oi Justice
with blood of innocent men, IL would be
nIonstrous.
You, gentlemen, are charged with the
highest and most solemn trust which II CIV
iiiZed government can bcstow upon Wisd ON
and iIupartlallty, that oi sitting in ludg
ment upon the liberties and lives OF yOdr
tn ypu ID ,prfla3 Tho
sacred duty ot declaring after a circum-
spert examination of all Iha tacts under the
law rs il will he expounded to You by the
court. whether the prisoners at the bar are
guilty or not of the crime with which they
are charged. The court, IN the tutillment
Of its impartial obligation, will instruct you
that il is imperative upon the State to sus-
tain its charge against Tue accu>eu ptNohd
all reasonable doubts, GeIore verdict OF
guilty can be lawfully returned.
The welfare of society justitics the arrest
of a citizen upun suspicion OF grave
charge. and when his name Is associated
with circumstances OF an uutaV"faoie caaF
acter the recorder may send tEe l&ctS otf-
fore grand jury, where an indictment u
likely 10 be found against h'in; bGt "htn
be is brought before this tribunal the inter
ests OF pubic justice would not DC saIIshta
with@ suspicion, but rightly and Justly de-
mand OF the State that every charge
against the accused shall be fully and le-
Sally established upon unimpeachable te3s-
iimony. A murder has been committed
the public peace has been broken, the laws
have been outraged, and justice stands nm
apueased. with her drawn sword, waiting
for the State. under the prescribed forms
OF law. to etier .up the victim; out she can
never be propiiiated with the blood OF these
innoceu, men That they are poor is then
misfortune that they lave been accused
of this crime is not their fault and the re
Of being black is assumed oy