New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-20
DENrrNCI,TIONs FROM JUDGE PORTER.

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1t was nearly Is minutes after IL o'clock when,
after Judge Nelson had requested the audience 10
keen perfectly qiet during the proceedings, Judge
Porter slowly arose in his place and addressing the
Court and jury, began his argument. A hush fell
npon the audience, which moment before had been
buzzing with impatient expectancy and every eye
was turned to the speaker. Judge POrters voice
was low and occasionally indistiDct but there was
something in its tones that presaged the scathing
denunciatons of the plaintiff and OF those who acted
with him. which followed close upon his opening
words.
.Jndce Porter speaks with great variety of tone
and intense earnesness Of manner and gesticulation
His words are enforced by expressive glances ami
changes of facial expression. He uses his chnched
hand like a hammer striking rapid blows in the air
A. fast as the words which he wishes particularly TO
emphasize leave his lips, and sometimes he points
his arguments by humping upon the table In front
of him with startling violence. Judge Porter is
short in stature, and has large, square head and
face and a massive jaw. His large, dark eyes are
very piercing when he darts angry glances at the
subjects of his dennnciations.
Everybody knew what to expect when almost the
first words uttered by Judge Porter were these :;
Men are apt to be bold of speech when two stall
wart champions like Moulton and Tilton make a
Joint assault upon a clergyman and a woman, the
fOrDluucn LIS pIOlcSSlOu " iOt'iAn ONAA ~Ni
evil; the other weak, pOwerless-held as IN the ho-
low of the hand by a man who has but TO look upon
her 10 sublime her TO his will" The last clause, re-
feyring TO Mrs. TiltOn, was delivered in a deep de-
hberate voice with scathing force and as the words
were uttered the speaker turned toward MI Iilton,
who sat behind him, and shook his chnched hand in
his face with look of scorn.
Mr. TiltOns face turned very red, but he looked
the lawyer straight in the eyes while his lips be-
came pressed tight together, as II with suppressed
passion.
Jusge Porter continued at intervals to turn and
deBounce Mr. TiltOn TO his face and more than once
the latter who was busy making notes, dropped his
Den nervousy and half turning in his chair, faced
the speaker with an angry expression. Mr. Beecher
watched Judge Porter closely, with evident appre-
citation of his efforts and sometimes he glanced at
the flushed face of Mr.. Tilton, when the orator was
delivering of his fierce denunciations, witha half
pitying look Mrs. Beecherleaned forward in her chair
and listened with rapt attention. When Judge Por-
ter was describing her husbands career, and her own
wifely devotion, her eyes filed with tears, but a
moment afterward she glanced up smiling at Mr..
Beecher. Mr.. Beecher himself cast his eyes down
soberly az he listened to the praises of himself.
The attention of the audience was enchanted from
the beginning and they listened in perfect silence.
The jurymen showed more continuous interest than
they exhibited while the testimony being taken,
and not one Of them grew nattentive during the
whole day.