National Republican., 1883-06-15
OPINIONS or LAWYERS.

OPINIONS or LAWYERS.
Tho lawyers generally expressed satisfaction
that tho case was cndcd Said one; II am
glad the confouudcd case is over. Court bus
iucss of every kind had been literally tied up
since this star route trial commenced. II has
been barricadc TO the progress of legal bu5i-
ness in the district"
Another lawyer remarked 81 am glad IL Is
over because this crowd of informers and quasi
detectives who have been hanging around
for months will seek other fields and pastures
now" Judge Shellabargor was asked his
opinion about the verdict.
"Of course" he said, "being Judge Wilson's
associate, | can't give really impartial
opinion. believe the verdict is a just one.
My interest in tho case has naturally been
directed toward Gen. Brudy's particular side
OF It, There has never bocn an iota of evil
donce against him.
Col. Euoch Totten cwas ovorjoycd at the
verdict They have scctirtd Justice at last"
he SAID, "and the ivotdiet viii meet with tho
appreciation of every fair minded man. |
told ygu last night, y he Continued that
after tho verdict was given l would
give You my opinion upon the effect Ner-
mons condition would have had upon u ver-
dict for tho government, If one was rendered.
| tell you now that the verdict would have
been set aside, without doubt Some time
since, in suit on promissory note. which
was tried before Judge Macarthur, had the
verdict set aside on the grounds chat there
had been n bottle Of whisky circulated in tho
jury room Such would have been the case
had tho government secured conviction"
Judge Charles Pelham said "1'ho verdict
demonstrates the value of trial by jury
That right is Of the greatest importance TO
the people of this district. Hero the judges
are appointed for life by the general govern
mcnt and the government can have any
amount of money, influence aud talent to
prosecute persons who happen to incur the
hatred of those in authority. There was
really nothing ia tho case except tho great
ability of those employed TO prosecute the
cunning of the government special agents, and
the unusual efforts ofthe department of Justice
TO secure the conviction of the men on trial.
No honest jury would pay any attention to
to the evidence of Rerdull or Moore, and
without their testimony there was no case
made against any of the men ON trial. And
IL is glorious to sec twelve men, merchants,
mechanics business men, taken from the or
dinary walks of life, render such u verdict
under such pressure as they were subjected
too. Each one of them deserves the gratitude
of every man in the district who values tho
right of trial by jury. The country Is safo
as long as jurors discharge their duties hon
estly, fairly, and without fear or prejudice.
Mr. William F. Mattngly said: " l look
upon the verdict in several lights In the
first place. there were several capable, intelli-
gent, and conscientious men, who would be
actuated by desire TO find n verdict accord
ing to the evidence and the law, regardless of
public Clamor and opinion. At the same
time the very best and ablcst men who sit
on jurios ordinarily are liable to be
influenced by surrounding circumstances,
or what might be called the environ
ments of the case uncOnsciOusly. There
were numerous circumstances surrounding
this case which would have, in my iudg-
ment, very strong tendency to influence
them in favor of the defendants. Among
these wcre the unusual methods of the prose.
Cution; tho Indictment Of Jurors on the for
mcr trial who voted TO acquit; the trial of
Dickson just about tho time this jury was
formed; tho indictment against other par
ties pending the trial for frauds in conncc-
tion with the postal service; the liberal use
ct spies and informers-all of which would
naturally be regarded, l should think, by the
mon of intelligence on that Jury rs designed
TO have an intimldnting effect upon
them, whereas the natural consequences
Of it, | think, Was TO inGjto q
spirit of disgust tothinls this powerful gov
crnmcnt, in prosecuting alleged yiolatOrs OF
its laws, should resort - such contemplate
means. Then the testimony of Rerdcll con-
fcssed an acknowledged liar, who manifested
his proclivty upon the witness stand
instead of bencfiting weakened the prosecu.
ton. These circumstances with the diff
Guilty of proving conspiracy with most If
not all Of the overt acts alleged barred by
the statute of limitations, with the burden of
PROOF upon the government to prove the guilt
of the defendants beyond reasonable doubt;
Il six months trial, involving mass Of dis
putcd.and complicated facts, which il was in
teliectually impossible for the minds of iu-
rors TO grasp and retain, together with the
natural sympathy of tho American people for
the under dog IN the fight, all tended to in
duce the jury to render verdict of acquittal.
RECEPTION AT COL. INGERSoLl'S.
The result of the trial was celebrated at
Col, IngersolPs residence Oh Lafayette
square last night. The friends Of the defend.
ants at first Intended to give them serenade,
but this honor was declined. Shortly before
o'clock the visitors began to arrive, and
shortly after that hour the largo parlors were
crowded The crowd was an exemplif-
cation of pure and unadulterated
republicanism. Every one was welcome and
every one was happy. The brightest picture
III the room was Mrs. S. w. Dorsey. The
deep lines that for months and months have
marred Mr beautiful face had been
chased away by the smiles of gladness,
aud she was as lovely as she was
three years ago, when society" here so
much admired and petted her. All her old
animation had returned. Released from the
burden that had so long pressed upon them,
her spirits rose again with increased elier-
vescence, aud her happiness lent additional
gest to that of those about her, Her sister,
Mrs. Peek clad in the black weeds of widow
hood, was no less joyful.
During Judge Carpenters speech, THE RE-
PUBLICAN reporter heard her say ~ tell
You what" Turning, he asked her what
she said.
ooh my" she replied, laughing az declare
] am so happy ! am talking to myself, but
indeed can't help it,"
Mrs. Bell, the sister Of Gen. Brady's wife,
who, by the way, is quite i'll, was ac-
cOmpan ed by the generals daughter,
Miss Bessie, q tall, handsome girl of
sixteen, or oreabouts with retiring
manners Mrs. Bell said the house was lit
orally Overrun with flowers. But" she
added there are no gates ajar or broken
columns" The reporter asked Gen. Brady
if he had received many congratulatory tcc-
grams, "About half bushel," said the gem
eTal, " from everywhere under tho sun"
Mrs. Matilda Kicker, who has been con-
tnuous and conspicuous attendant at the
court house during the trial, made her way
here and there raising u laugh by her pointed
remarks.
Between and 10 o'clock the crowd became
very dense inside tho house. and it was with
difficulty that another person could enter.
About this time, when the guests were con-
versing with each other and congratulating
the late defendants, some one called for Col.
Ingersoll, who was busy receiving visitors
aud shaking hands, to make a speech. After
q little urging he stepped forth and said that
lp really felt lonorgl and moved hpcause of