The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11
TERRITORY vs.. MARTIN.

Coll' lclc' loi tle kllllilS VI w alNtT
Harper, ut Spring Creek, in KIicllitat
county. The crime was committed on
the 18th day OF January last, and two
days afterwards Harper died. Martin
was brought to Vancouver to await the
action OF the Grand Jury. At the
trial the prosecution was conducted 10y
n. ii. Bloomfield, District Attorney;
the defense was managed by Messrs. }.
B. Alien, c. Lancaster and c. A. NJ.
Spencer. Fourteen witnesses were eX-
amined, and after being out sixty hours
the jury rendered II verdict OF guilty OF
mans.aughtcr The case was ably man
aget by the attorneys on both sides,
and especially did Mr.. Bloomfield do
himself great credit i'll the prosecution
of the case The following are the
closing remarks OF his eloquent argu-
ment:
And now, gentlemen of the jury, |
an about to cIo,e Tears have been
shed III this case to create a sympathy
4or the defendant. Tears, sympathy,
what. ior this man, What has he
lone, what is hei Tears might in
duencc the present Gentlemen OF the
jury, but they will not answer for the
.uture. Tears cannot wipe out betrayed
uusts, perverted consciences and dis
loyal oitha. Tears cannot make pure
what is impure. Tears cannot make
innocent that which is wicked. Tear,
cannot wipe out the stain OF blooJ ~
Gears cannot cleanse the bluOd-Stalned
land OF the murderer Tears cannot
ring back to hie the young man.
iruS cannot answer to an outraged
,aw. Tears cannot full! yours and my
o,thS, and duty to ourselves, our law,
and the people. Tears will not bring
comfort to IA sorrowiug wife and un-
protected babes Tears have no place
mere; they may food the eyes OF coun-
sci; they may wash the stains of be
-rimmeI vision, but they will not de-
clic this case. SO much for the tlood-
gates that have been opened in this
case, threatening an overflow danger
ous alike 20 lie, safety and free breath
ing space.
Blood has been spilt-shall we finch
IN the performance of our duty-or
tulfi our oathS only DO Justice to
the prisoner, but to ourselves and to
our country! 1t is, | know, painful
ainty to perform to pronounce a verdict
mere, or IN any case. Our duty is to
ascertain the truth. Weare called upon
faithfully and fearlessly to act upon
that. No man need have his frontal
marked with any better character than
"well done, thou good and faithful ser
want Ii we maintain our laws against
the lawless and the wicked it is bat
our solemn duty. Would to God |
could conscientiouslv LOOK into the tcsti-
mony this day and all you to relieve
this prisoner, rather than convict him;
but we must not stulti!y ourselves; the
law has laid down our course; We are
sworn to it; we cannot depart from it.
We must uphold that law, which is
part OF, and is our social existence.
You, as citizens of this land,
"Nhcrc manhood rcigns alone
And ever, citizen Is King
mpde this law. We must all abide by
it.
You are to remove all doubts from
your minds-rcasona doubts, | mean
not coniectures, for all things are
possible; it must be doubts that are
reasonable not problematical.
You are to pronounce truly upon the
guilt or innocence of this man. Nou
owe that to your oaths and to your
law. Show me the land where the
laws are not administered, and will
show you the innocent in despair But
let me see that where the laws are oh
served, and | will exhibit the smile Of
God Almighty upon it. Ii courts and
iuries refuse to do their duty, who will
protect our homes and our lives II
we have no verdicts of guilty, our affairs
will be desecated, our streets washed
with blood.
This is a case of murder Our ma
lures lean with sympathy in its consc-
quencss towards the defendant. Gladly