The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-08-11
Riel's Speech To The Jury.
He Prays in Court and Moves
Jurors to Tears.
Trusting That His Religious Ac-
tiODs Will Not be Taken for In
sanity He Was Protected by God
from MiddlctOn's Bullets.

REeINIA, N VT, July 31-The
evidence taken in Rie's trial Yesterday,
some in favor OF his insanity and some
in rebuttal, closed the case for the de-
fence. Mr. Fitzpatrick, Riel's counsel,
made an eioqaenE speech, alleging JUS
hfication. ueging extenuatiug circum-
Stances and winding mp with an aIlusion
to his insane condition. Afterward
Riel addressed the Court. Before speak.
ing he turned his eyes up ward and prayed
fervenily for few minutes. He then
said:
Your honors. gentlemen OF the jury,
it would be easy for me to-day to play
insanity because of the natural excite
ment caused by my trial The excite
ment would cause a nature like mine to
be far from calm. but l hope by the help
of God to retain my calmness. The
jurors will see by the papers that l am
inclined TO be religious, but l trust that
my religious actions will not be thought
insane.
Turning his eyes heavenward again,
and crossing his hands, he continued:
Oh! my God Help me through the
grace and divine influence of Jesus
Christ. Oh! nv G ID! Bless me, bless
the honorable Court. bless the honorable
jury. bless my good lawyers, who have
come 700 leagues to try and save my
life. Bless the lawyers Of the court, be.
cause they have done, am sure, what
they thought their duty, and they have
shown, o fairness which l did pot expect.
Ga! my God! Bless all those who are
around me, and, through the grace oi
Jesus Christ, our Savior, change the
curiosity Of these people Who are around
me into calm interest. Amen.
Riel then said his mother, who gave
him birth forty years ago. had taken care
OF him aud nursed him He had an
other mother-the Northwest-whom be
loved and dwhom be was sure would mol
kill him, any more than his earthly
mother did. He next proceeded to talk
about grievances, and showed how be
came back to the country to benefit the
half breeds alone. He spoke in English,
and said be would try aad do his best to
he understood. He would yet be jus,i.
g d. He sought to bring about prac-
lical results, and when he was dead
which might he soon, he hoped his spirit
would yet bring about practical results.
He spoke strongly about the papers
found at Batouche. which be said were
his own writings, and which would ye'
justify him. If'released, he trusted tn.
Crown would return then to him. Fol-
the past ten years be had believed he had
mission to perform He believed il
still, and with the help OF. bis God be
was performing tuat mission Ia the
criminal dock He had waited patiently
70. years for an opportunity to perform
It. The late Archbishop Bourget said
that be (R;el) had mission to accom-
plish. He had no narrow views As
long as British justice prevailed be knew
that God would take care of him.
When Middleton was at Batonche. land
the bullets and shells were q, ing about
his head thicker than m ,sqnitoes. he
was protected, and it was nothing bu.
Gods henediciion that preserved him
When Gen. Middleton and Capt. Young
were giving evidence as to his insanity
be felt that God was blessing him He
blessed the Crown LAWYER for breaking
down the evidence Of DR.. Boy to the ef
feet that be was Insane. 1t was jastifica.
tiou, and proved that he was not insane,
as asserted. Even II condemned and
hanged be would have the sati sfaction Of
knowing that the world did not believe
him insane N ,in wanted him to make
q bargain to renounoe his American citi-
zenship, but Rlel refused, as he believed
It would be of advantage to him. The
agitation in the Northwest would have
been constitutional if the Metis had not
been attacked. The court had not found
out the facts OF the attack. He denied
antipa,hy to the police. He had never
said one word against the police.
He respected them He bad not. be.
cause be had been Iibelled for fifteen
years, ceased to believe that he was some.
bodv. BY the grace pf God he was the
founder OF Manitoba. The whites were
the pioneers o. civilization, but had
brought decentralization among the In
dians. "Don't be offended" he said,
"ladies, don't be offended; the clergy
will cure the evil F"
A TO the evidence that he had called
Archbishop Taches thief, he explained
that the Archbishop had taken property
from widow. He was proud that he
had the maniness to stand up and de-
nouncs such action. even If committed
by such dignitary.
AT the close of Riel's speech two of
the Jurors we're crying, ani 80 we're some
of the ladies in the court. The jury
then retired. A verdict Is not likely to
be reached tonight
REL FOUND GUILTY.
The .1urv COnvict the Prisoner and