The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-02
A Criminals Eloouence.


'cheek," and ct the SHINE time disgn-ting out
bursts Of hombastic oratory, witnessed ina
St. Louis courtroom Oil the occasion of sem /
fencing one Col. Joyce, week before last. 1t
seems. from the columns of our Western ex-
changes, that whisky frauds have assumed an
epidemic character Ia that region, and the evil
is not only widely spread, but exceedingly
virulent. Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and H.
linois have been equally the objects of this:vis-
itation, and the recent cverhauling of accounts
by the authorized agents of the Government,
has disclosed most unhealthy condition of
affairs as regards the returns in this special de-
partment OF revenue. COL Joyce. who was
and prosttslted the functions Of his Office to.
aid and abet the fraudulence of distillers. in
his district, and he was consequently arraigned
in the District court, tried, and by fair jury
OF his countrymen, unanimously elected to the
State penitcntiary for the term Of three years.
Judge Krckel before pronouncing sentence ask
ed, as is usual, if the prisoner had anything to
say why the sentence of the law shouldnot be
pronounced, when Joyce, in a very imprisoned
and theatrical manner, arsse and poured forth
! a most copious and overwhelming torrent of
verbiage, in which there was much more Of
brazer-faced impudcnce and audacity than log
zeal or reasonable refutation Of tho charges. 1t
is quite an innovation on the prevailing customs
Of the times, as prisoners at the bar are not
wont to indulge in lofty defamation, but more
generally bow in graceful silence to the sen.
tence of the court, leaving the learned Judge
to utter suitable valedictory, and content
ing themselves With the wordy efforts that
their counsel have previously expounded in
their behalf. Joyce, it seem, however, was not
of that quiet, transformations ilk. He has evls
IDENTIFY fiourished as local political stumpspcak-
er. or as an attorney at police court, and the
occasion was not one to be wasted. The stu
alton was dramatic aud the surroundings in a
high degree sensational. SO Joyce, instead ct
making profound salutation and awaiting the
formal utterances Of the court, Immediately
4 a.ose and began to .scleave the Empyrean' in
one Of the most. extravagant and torturous ef-
forts at rhetoric that ever hewildered gaping
audience. He modelled Ills vinlication some
what after the fashion OF the famous Emmett,
and his solcma nvocations to high heaven, and
his generally grand illusions, were in the most
! approved style Of ancient eloquence. 1t was,
however, rather damaging to the total effect to
| consider that the orator was not in limbo on
the charge of high treason and doomed to die,
but was simply on the road to The penitentiary
, for the less romantic crime of whisky stealing
The Colonel may have felt that his social posi-
ton, his intelligence and his rather remarkable
gifts in the way of exhuberant oratory, had in
vested his. conviction with something of vi
carious dignity and Importance, but really il
could only impress his auditors with senti
] ments of severe condemnation for a ma.
whose associations and advantages, i'll
stead of constituting a shield and a barrier
. against the temptations that may have sur
l rounded him, only. subseryed his turpitude and
. enabled him with better grace to accomplish thu
wrong for which he is so Justly reaping the pc
. nal consequences. i: It may serve as a valuable
, example to those who are occupying positions o.
public trust, and will teach all to whom are Ell
trusted the important functions of collectors.
|. that there is no security for them save in
an honest, faithful and conscientious perfor
nance Of their duties, and once failing in theil
solemn obligations, neither previous reputation
, exalted social elevation nor distinguished mill
tary services will operate to absolve them from
the grave responsibilities which, follow, or shell
, ter them from that ignominy and degradation
with which the stern edict Of their conntry's
laws will oyerxhelm them. ~
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