The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-28
WILLIAM NJ. EVARTS' ADDRESS.
A Scholarly, Dignided and
Courtly Speech.
FREQUENT FLASHES OF HUMOR
The High Reputation Of the Defendant
a Perfect Shield
THEORY OF THE DEFENCE.

AS might be expected, the number or persons
that applied for admission to the Brooklyn trial
yesterday morning vas as large any day
nnce the case began. The announcement that
Ar. Evarts was take the door aud make tine
grand forensic EFFORT Of bis life on behalf OF
Beecner was the cause 81 the lreat gathering.
MIR. Beecher listened with pleased and rapt
attention TO his advocates eloquent discourse.
Il sat between MS vile and niece, mis- face as
rosy and unsopnistlcated as = schoolooys, bis
eyes al times shining through q soft emotional
mist the speakers argument touched the char
acter or position or the defendant.
THE NUMBER or LADIES
was quite noticeable Many 81 them were young
and pretty and iashionably dressed. They had no
bushes 10 spare when counsel spoke or The charge
pf seduction, oy reverend clergyman, OF
young. vrtuous, discreet. cnlld-bearlag woman,
ana in fact they rather seemed to relish all the
better this portion Of the discourse.
PLEASANT DAY.
Ii was fortunate the day breezy, else the
court room would nave proved a second black
hole OF Calcutta. II is dlnicut or ventilation, ex-
cept when the wind blows rom the west. There
vas 10 reason % complain yesterday, especially
In the afternoon when the crowd was even greater
than IN the morning.
EvARrs BEFORE THR JURY.
Mr.. Evarts occupied the same position as Porter
erent impression. he Is taller than Porter;
sands sim and straight billiard cue; swings
nisarm with a iorce OF freedom that gives
Iressive emphasis 10 his words The careless fall
Ing hair the at.euuated face, furrowed rom chin
TO forehead: the hawK-iEe nose; the gray, glitter
Ing ere, the receding mouth and the odd gesture
81 the body an mead make a quaint, weird
picture ior me spectators. From this gaunt,
strange form that light have walked out or one
Of those dusty and worn Irames mat hang on the
walls OF the old monasteries Or Europe, containing
ngures or those devoted and ascetic followers OF
the cross rho gave their lives to the moruncatlon
u the nesn and the acquisition ofloarning the lis
teners look for a nigh display Or thought and eI-
preston. The lrame seems buI 4 shell animated ny
great mind and SOUL and fun or lofty conceptions.
When he stood Up 70 begin his address silence fell
Rpon the court Those who surrounded the
IpeaKer settled themselves down 70 a great intel
ectual treat. WhAs there was mucn IN the
lpeech hat was dry and involved, the main bulk
Or Il was admirably ARRANGED and expressed.
There was no lack Or either logic Or eoquence.
Tue plea il behalf Or Mr.. Beecher
was ~ no means Ike tnat o. Mr..
Psrter's. TAKEN a. 4 whole, Egarts speech was
finished and powerful rhetorical production, but
weak IN logic aud fact ], was scholarly 70 the
extent OF being obscure 10 he average American
Juror, out Ia parts me argument was clear as
crystal and plain TO the meanest understanding
Tue Latin quotations gave the reporters some
amusement Il not trouble, b1T Mr. Evarts took
pans 70 render nis Latin into English for the
benens Of ne uenignted press.
LAYING down TIE LAW.
ais aging down cf the law was done with
orevity and perspicui.y and without any thumb
Ing or the numerous egal authorities on the table
before MIN. TIE Jury we're careful listeners and
seemed 70 e profoundly impressed with the
learning and vast command Of language exhibited
BY the speaker. lie inculged 10 none Of the rsck
less ana impassioned iuvecuyes that character
zed the style Or Judge Porter.
AZ OBSCURE BEGINNING.
Evarts began Dis speech on VERY elevated
plane, and ior bali "a hour AZ east. the jury mad
lite Idea ~ what lie was saJ ing as ne mad con-
rued himself 70 me Latin which he quoted AZ ire-
uuent intervals. His sentences were occasionally
OfsIuaordinary length, and 80 involused az TO
make Il painful 70 follow their many and various
depending clauses.
EvAKTs' HUMoR.
There we're frequent bursts or laughter in the
course or the address, ana the feenng was de-
sidediy In favor Or Beecher Tie Judge finally
Admonished the audience, and said be had his eve
upon Two or turee persons Or respectfully VINO
we're not behaving properly. The Judges warn
Ing made . marksd impression, but people could
not help themselves IN smiling a. what Evarts
sometimes said.
EvAR7s' soPHIsTRY.
Evarfs argued That offence such that
charged against Beecher was bred out OF idleness,
incidence and opportun y. that 4 man % busy a.
Beecher could not lnd ne time, nor leave himself
chance 70 be tempted THIS position was trav.
ersed ingenlously aud eioqusnly. and then
the counsel took 40 argument used BY
Porter that preacher o. tne doctrines or
Christian love and charity, . cneerer and con
urmer or ali the sweet JOYS Or the domestic house
aold could never be capable or 40 offence so con-
Hadictory Of all the preaching or his life. The
treatment or the subject In the hands Of Evarts
was ven different from that SHOWN by Porter.
Evarts' language and delivery we're better, ana
ne csrtalnly exhibited more ingenious sophlstry.
SAMSON AGoEHTEa
Evarts referring 10 Tnton az samson ARonisies.
made very eloquent tight Tlton pulling down
me pillars Of the temple Of mis- religion, repuIa
SION, fame, fortune and happiness on the heads or
himself, bis vile and children, was wen and for
ably expressed. All the Piymoutn people looked
with ply ana contempt over In the direction Of
Tilton vac was slightly confused.
BEEcHEE ~ ENGLAND.
me counsel made mucn % the services kr.
Beecner performed 10 England for the onion.
How ne "a ca down toe bowling and brutal mob
under sucn circumstances Mr. Beecner was
deeply affected Dy TINS refsrence and showed IL In
ais molstened eyes,
KvARrs ADMIRED.
Abbott, Tracy, Ill., shuarman and Pat Ready
looked up Al the eloquent lawyer Win looks OF un-
bounded admiration. Evarts IL the last great
cope or the defence, aud Ii Is little 70 % won
tered A. u the frisnos and counsel OF Mr.. Bescher
hould attach great interest % MS appeal Judge
Gorrs cannot repress his ast0nisnment a. the
Weakness Of Evaris opening, int then
he Judge Is counsel for the plalnuR.
A. noon several ladles cft the court room, DOUBT
less owing 70 tne closeness Of the atmosphere
where hey sat- Inc best part OF tue court room.
ths coolest and brightssL was between the
windows. On the Dench with the Judge were
Ionn Jay, late Minister % Austra, sne h. Della
asld smith. District Attorney, Nee York.
MA EvkKTs' ADDRESS
Whatever dlyersities MAJ present themselves