Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-09-08
Star Route Cases.

Court room to-day because of the
announcement that r. G. .Ingersoll's
turn to speak for the defense had ar
rived. Mr.. Ingersoll began by asks
ing the jury to understand that he
was as much opposed to official cor
ruption as any man in the world,
and that he had not one word
to say in defence of any
man who he believed had
robbed the treasury. He wanted
the jury to understand that he was
not defending, nor excusing, nor
endeavoring to palate in the slight
est, dishonesty in any public official.
WASHINGTON, September 6-Mr.
Ingersoll resumed his argument in
the Star Route trial o-day, and af-
ter some desultory discussion with
the Court, he addressed himself to
the examination of Walsh's testi-
mony, though he thought it had been
ground to powdersalready.
Col. Ingersoll then went on to ar,
que that, assuming Walsh's testi-
mony to be true, it affected none of
the defendants except Brady, and
only went to show that he had re-
ceived bribes; not that he was cons
cerned in the conspiracy. The same
line of argument would apply to
SlerdelPs confession. 1t bound no.
body but himself, and was not con-
fession of his completely in the con-
spiracy. He did not confess that he
was guilty of a single overt act.
Col. Ingersoll then took up and
replied to the arguments of the
| prosecution based on the subjects of
extravaganza in the Star Route SER
| vice.
He closed as follows: l appeal to
you for my clients because the evi
dence shows that they are honest
men. | appeal to you for my client,
stephen w. Dorsey, because evi-
dence shows that he is a man with
an intellectual horizon and mental
sky, man Of genius, generous and
honest. Yet this prosecution, this
government, these attorneys repre-
sentIng the majesty of the republic,
representing the only real republic
that ever existed, have asked
you not only to violate
the law of the land, but also the
law of nature. They have maligned
nature, they have laughed at mercy,
they have trampled on the hottest
human ties, and have even made
light because the wife in this trial
has sat by her husbands side There
is painting in the House, a paint
ing of desoiation, of despair and
love; it represents Might Of the
Crucifction." The world is wrapped
IN shadow, the stars are dead; and
yet in the darkness is seen a kneel-
ing form. 1t is Mary Magda~
line, with loving lips and
hands pressed against the bleeding
eet OF Christ; the skies were never
dark enough, nor starless enough;
storm was never firrce enough nor
wild enough; quick bolts of heaven
were never lurid enough, and the
| arrows of SANDER never few thick
enough to drive this noble woman
from her husbands side. Applause
And SO it is, IN all of the human
speech, the holiest word is woman
While Mr.. Ingersoli was deliver,
ing this speech, several ladies burst
into tears, and Mrs. Dorsey kept her
handkerchief to her eyes for some
minutes.
''Now, gentlemen, have
examined the testimony. have ex-
amined every charge in the indict~
ment. 1 have shown you that indict>
ment is one thing and evidence an
other; L have shown you that not
signet part is substantiated against
5. W. Dorsey; l have demonstrated
that not one charge has
been established against s. w.
Dorsey-not one; 1 have shown you
that there is no foundation for yer
dict OF guilty against any one par>
tlcular IN this case. l have spoken
now, gentlemen, the last words that
will be spoken in public for my
clients, the last words that will be
spoken in public for any of these
defendants, the last words that will
be heard in their favor until L hear
from the lips of this foreman the
eloquent words, Not guilty" And
now, thanking the Court for many
acts of personal kindness, and
you, gentlemen of the Jury,
for your almost infinite
patience,I leave my clients, with all
they have, with all they love, with all
who love them, in your hands. Ap-
| plause
At this point recess was taken
until one o'clock During the inter
mission the court room presented
an animated scene, suggestive of the
Gulteau trial, many of the lady
spectators producing lunches and
eating them without leaving their
seats. Some time before the re-
opening of the court the attorney
general entered, followed by a mes,
senger carrying large mass of
notes and half dozen law books.
WASHINGTON, September 7.-Ats
torney>General Brewster to-Aay
concluded his argument for the
prosecution in the Star Route trials,
and the case is practically closed.
The judge will probably deliver his
charge to- morrow, and the case may
go to the jury the same day. Brews-
ter's argument was listened to with
the same close attention as was
given to Ingersoll, and his audience
was so crowded that the judge was
obliged to give orders to admit no
more spectators to the court
room. The closing part of
the argument was well worth res
cording, but at its conclusion amin
| cidapt occurrad which was wholly