The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-02-22
LAST EDITION
BABCOCK'S TRIAL.
Magnificent Closing of MIR. StOrr
Argume ent.


Argument.
By American Press Association to the STAR,
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 22.-Court opened at 2
O'Clock, and Mr. Storrs Immediately re-
sumed his argument for the defense. He
dwelt at some length ON the suspension
of the order transferring supervisors,
presenting the fact in variety of ways
which served to further impress on the
jury the Presidents action IN the mat
ter, and the non-interference of General
Babcock. 1t is matter of no little
pride, he said in substance, that we have
a President who has the nerve to resist
all pressure, and yet can promptly yield
to the common sense logic Of one trust tied
official like Mr.. Tuition. The prosecu-
ton have arraigned President Grant tor
his action, claiming that he upset
the plans OF Secretary Bris-
tow. The evidence shows that
the order resembling the transfer was in
harmony with the views of the Secre-
tary, as he had expressed them to Mr..
Tuition as the wisest course, fully
vindicated by subsequent events. Mr..
Storrs said he believes in parties
and in party organization, but eternal
truth is above and beyond all
parties, all prejudice, and regardless
of party affiliations and predictions,
None can fail to see that both the Presi-
dent and Gen. Babcock are without spot
and without blemish in the matter.
There are are no more flowers of rhetoric
in the Presidents deposition than in the
Sermon on the Mount, but 1t is eloquent
in its terse, incisive language, in
its inherent and unimpeacbabie
truthfulness. The Chief Magistrate is
plain man, using the plain language OF
plain truth, and he only broke his ST.
Ience on this subject out OF respect to the
law, the majesty OF which he respects,
The bushels Of kilograms paraded by the
prosecution have dwindled down to
uity, they had alone been able to misin-
terpret as injurious to the defendant.
Mr.. Storrs paid his compliments also
to Everest and Fitzroy. The former, be
said, paid daily allegiance 10 the god OF
lies. This was his trade, without varia.
bleness or shadow OF turning. The man.
ner he employed to swindle the distillers
into a belief that they had backing
at the White House by showing letters
and dispatches, was amusingly ex-
ploded. When this failed as result he
employed the desperate farce of juggling
with those two letters, SO that Everest
should tell the distillers. McGill's tes-
timony had ruined all that, and notwith-
standing every effort by the prosecution
to bring in witnesses to impeach McGill
they had signally failed to do so.
The closing Of Mr.. StQrrs' argument
was as follows: have said to you as
yet nothing as to the character or repu-
tation OF my client. 1t is splendid, and
he ought to have been proud Of 1t. For
those men who have known him in the
long years past, men whom we have all
delighted to honor, have come
here, and with one accord given him q
reputation that l am sure every man
upon this jury earnestly hopes and prays
that his son may have in the future
spotless, without stain or'blemish. Gen.
tlemen OF the jury, we are proud OF 1t;
we leave 1t with you; we give 1t to you,
trusting and believing that it will
be entirely safe in your hands;
and that you will preserve it sacredly
until this trial has closed. / have no
considerations OF mere appeal; but
this has been long trial and dreadful
trial. Never since 1t has been my priv
ilege to appear In courts Of justice have
/ ieltln my heart 0 bearts so tremend-
GUS feeling OF responsibility as rests
on me to-day. 1t was but O few weeks
since that left the quiet home In which
my client lives. l saw his children
gather In prayer about their mothers
knee. saw the patient and calm cour-
age Or the wife, and to-day ii seems TO
me the veil Of distance that spreads be-
tween US is lifted. and I SEQ her tear
inl tsgS Gazing wiatlRily hithsr