The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-06
The Grant Parish Prisoners
Second Trfal-Seyenteenth Day.
Arguing the Case.

Arguing the Case.
The old courtroom resumed an appear
ance yesterday morning that it has not had
for years and years.
The place was crowded inside the bar and
outside; on the one were gathered prisoners
counsel, members of the bar, and last but
not least, large number Of ladies of this
city, whose presence was not only enliven
ing but encouraging to the prisoners, as
showing the interest felt in the case by the
whole of our people.
The jury looked fresh-brightened up,
probably, by thoughts Of the approaching
end. His Honor was serene and more than
usually dignifed, and the prisoners were
restless anxious and attentive.
Beckwith opened the argument. He is to
be followed by Mr. MARI, Mr.. Whitaker and
Mr.. Ellis successfully. The first will argue
the law, the second the evidence and the
latter will do the summing up and appeal
ing, and it is probable that Mr.. Bryan will
conclude for the defense. Beckwith, of
course, will close. Unlimited time has been
granted, and an
Extend d Tank
may be counted on, although it is the inten-
tion Of counsel on both sides to close if at all
possible, by Tomorrow evening, and submit
the case to the jury.
Beckwith opened his address by long
examination of, and an exposition on the
law governing the case. Spoke of the I" ne
cessities" in the opinion of Congress as he
understood it, which had given rise to it,
and then of the penalties in case of cOnvic-
ton.
He then went into the evidence, starting
from the very inception Of the difficulty as
thereby disclosed, and compared that for
the defense with that for the prosecution.
He came out in an astonishing manner
And vtnfa OF In
animated and fercible, for the first time
within the memory of the coolest inhabit-
anti
He then argued the intent Of the gather
ing on both sides, and depicted in glowing
colors the innocent and inOffensive nature
Of the one, only for protection, and the dia-
bolical intent Of the other.
He told of the fearful carrying out of this
intent of the white men, but SAID nothing of
the atrocities of the other side. All without
intent of course.
Next came his theory as to what would
have been the result if the course of the
negroes had been different
He then started in on the vindictive, lOgi-
cal style, and discussed events at length.
He then spread himself on the abb, 50
clearly proved by six Of the eight accused
He argued that "tOo many cooks spoiled the
BROTH" that there were too many witnesses
lney dl0 not agree. A SOOu pOlnC tnlS, ap-
parently, but unfortunately for the learned
counsellor, the witness did agree in each
and every instance
He next dilated on the probable fate of
truth-telling witness, the witnesses for the
prosecution are safe1 as regarded witnesses
for defense, and argued that the cOnse-
quences to be feared and anticipated would
deter them from testifying truthfully
against the accused.
He took up the abb separately and went
through them in style, and to a casual OBJ
server or listener utterly demolished them
after which he wound up his speech and sat
down.
Court took a recess tor half an hour.
On court re assembling, Mr.. MARI opened
the argument for the defense. His address
was forcible, logical and exhaustive. He
started with a review of the testimony, and
laid it bare in his own peculiar caustic
manner.
He handled Ward, Register and Brantley
very roughly, and depicted in a mastery
manner their cowardly action in summon
ing the negroes by working on their ignor
ance and superstition, and their cOwardly
departure at the first approach Of danger.
He then took up the indictment count by
count, and explained each and all of them,
at the same time giving the law and inter
preting it clearly and impressively.
At the close of his remarks the court ad-
jOnrned.