New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
THE GEORGIA PLOT.
CORDAY HARRIYS TRIAL

| n verdict ~
We have"
"Read II, Mr.. Solicitor"
"we the special Jury, find that Corday Harris is not
guilty Of the oense charged against him Of attempting
| to incite an ipsurrection."
With this simple formula closed one OF the most Import
ant criminal that has taken place recently in tho
South The scene in the Courthouse when this verdict
was too impressive to be easily forgotten
The darkness OF the roo-Sor It $50 o'clock In the
evening when the verdict was announced-was barely
made visible by the presence Of three or four little faow
dips placed before the Judge and upon the table
cupied by the reporters, the light OF which
| scarcely penetrated beyond tho bar. Face to face
sat tho prisoner and tie Judge; the faint light
that fell upon tho countenance OF tho latter
brought strong relief the striking features OF HE
face and gave such revelation Of his character - fully
explained the wonderful influence which he exerts over
the people Of this entire section Of the state His very
presence Is remarkably dignined and impressive. Mr.
sumner told me that, rule. TO attain grcatnessa
man good terms with his stomach at the
time he exercises manly ccutro over his appetites
Judge HerscheI " Johnson unless Ills appearance bellies
both Of these prerequisites OF greatness His
portly form bespeaks the lover of good living while the
sharpness OF his eye and the qnickness Of his perception
evidences Of his temperate habits The secret OF his
influence 1t seems to me- lies in the complete contol
which he has himself. Naturally a OF strong
feelings and, should suppose, Of deeplyrooted preu
|
justice that impartiay blind to everything but the
law and the evidence Governing himself he attains the
power OF governing others.
THE PRISONER AND THE VERDICT.
In striking contrast the appearance Of the prisoner
the bar whose features could be dmy distinguished
he sat- surrounded by his counsel In appearance no
il pure blooded African OF little intelligence than
ordinary field hands in the South. HE countensnce 10
not bad one, and whatever his Influence among tho
people OF his may be- whether for good or for evil.
it must be due 1t to bis clerical Office rather
than to the possession OF tho innate qualities OF popular
leader Beyond the bar distinguishable only mass.
were the representatives OF both about equal in
numbers and dividing at the main entrance the white
people the right aud the blacks the left, nearly
filling the space set aside for spectators.
The Judge warned those present to make no demon
sratons whatever when the verdict announced, but
as the words Not guilty" fell from the lips Of the
licitor indescbabe noise from that side Of te
Courthouse whore the blacks were assembled II was
the cappng Of hands the stamping Of feet but
was more like gen sigh OF relief from the hundreds
Of cOored people who had been watching Cf two days,
with the most intense anxiety the progress OF the trial.
The whole Of the Judicial proceedings here This week
been alike honorable to these who participated in
them and the people OF this portion OF the State The
popular prejudice when arrived here ten days ago was
stronger against Corday Harris than against any other
Of those accused Of attempting ~ nce an nsrrcc-
ton, Joseph Morris Of Burke County alone excepted
People almost universally believed that Harris
guilty; that he had written procured to be written tie
letter ordering the killing Of the white people to begin on
the Goth Of August and that he had been actually plot
ting murder and and other too horrible to
contemplate. While there no disposition to inter
with the law from taking It's due
to hear the ind gnant remark that Cordly
Harris ought to be hanged While such state Of feel
ing this exlstod and the prejudice against the prisoner
had not disappeared the trial began. Tested by tho
Of evidence and OF law rumors and reports which
had caused much apprehension melted away, and the
testimony when carefully sfted proved only that the
prisoner had been guilty OF foolish acts and had
given unwise advice to his people. but 1t not
proved no had done single criminal act himself
md advised others to do one
THE TESTIMONY.
The letter ordering the to begin the work OF
killing the Goth OF August was not introduced by the
counsel for the State, and DO not believe that
Corday Harris wrote 1t or procured 1t 10 be written,
or that he had any knowledge Of it whatever believe
it forgery but by whom perpetraed do not know.
Jake Norman tod that no letter in the hands
Francis Merkerson said to be from Corday Harrs but
he cannot read, no cannot identify It, 1t may be that
MerkersOn wrote tho letter had II written ard signed
Harri8s name to It, because Harris the recognized
leader of the blacks In this county and it may be that
some bad white wrote it, At any rate, am fully
convinced that there intention the part Of
negroes rise the Goth Of last month and doubt
If Joseph Norris foolish bad troublesome he has
been, contemplated such thing. Merkersoa may
have talked of it, but IL he did don't believe those who
heard him. with the exception perhaps OF stupid
fellow Ike Jake Norman, ever took IL in earnest
COrday Hlrs's conduct here on tue oath Of July
shown even by the witnesses for the prosecution to
have been very creditable All the trouble. suspicion,
and ALARM among the white people that day caused
by the foolish and insulting letter written by Joseph
Norris When the latter heard o; the effect OF his letter
he did into town. but left Harris the
whole responsibility Harris led in his 800 men and
then went to see Mayor Gilmore about the use OF tho
courthouse; and when 1t concluded that 1t would
not DO open it that day. he dismissed the crowd,
directing them 10 make disturbance and to drink no
liquor go quietly homo. The only other evidence
against him that he present at o "cOr-
porous" caucus) meeting at which Joseph Morris
III a speech attempted to induce the negroes
10 elect him "brigaterry" general and promised
great things il they would; that another
occasion Morris said In Harriss presence that they AZ
tempted to hold another meeting in Sandersyile and
refused the Of the court house. he could get
wo burn it, II Harris could not; and that
occasions Harris speeches told the negroes lhat II they
elected Grant king next year the lands Of this State
would all belong to him, and that he would lease the
lands the negroes for oneenth OF the crop instead OF
one bird or onefourh or course, such evidence as
this no man could be rishtully convicted and yet
think the jury deserve than ordinary credit for
while the hand lay their duty. tho other
wac the prejudice and excitement against the prisoner.
urging them 10 disagree.
BEARING OF THE LAWYERS.
have said that this trial has reelected honor both
upon and upon those who participated in It, It
has proved that negro and will be justly dealt with
the courts Of Middle Georgia, even in the midst Of
element. OF the strict impartilty OF Judge Johnson
have already spoken, but 1t Is only fair TO counsel
both sids to that they followed the good example