The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-10-27

that he was unconscious OF what he was doing
how does it happen that after firing the fatal
shot, he realized THAI what he had done was
wrong and needed excuse? How was it that
he could frame excuses three in number. eth
er one OF "h:c'l would have been Il defense to
him If true: How was it that he changed
them as l"tmHS'Liiity of maintaining them
ciilrrtic, and shcsc facts were known to his
iAn.ily why WAS it not then announced to, the
h"rror-strickcn people of Abbcvillc that such
WAS his condition? Why were not pkysicians
called to examine him then and How was it
that his unnatural appearance did not mani
fest ,'selt to the Marshal and Intendant with
whoa he convcrscd? How was it that lr
could so well remember the necessity for Civ
ing security for his appearance and offer bnil ?
Why WAS il that those symptoms did not man
iicst themselves when he was being taken to
jail? What were those words which he smoke
I" bis victim before taking his life? No one
but he could tell, and he has chosen to stand
mute. II would seem from what has
been said that the defense has
failed TO establish the facts upon which their
theory rests, and were this all against which
the prosecution had to contend it would seem
that there would be no doubt what this YER
dict, but there is silence more eloquent than
speech, ana there are voices which are heard
though they speak not. Benedict is dead, and
lnE prisoner lives: Human sympathy nutu-
The stricken parents Of the prisoner, his
Young wife and younger children, appeal to
this jury for their sympathy, and it is given
IN no measured degree. AL of us must feel
tor theni' and It this were the place, and this
were the time for the exhibition of such fool
ing, none would commend it. more than me.
The misfortune OF these people does not arise
from the position which the prisoner now
holds at the bar. Their trouble cannot be rr-
hercd by anything that YOU can do. 1t is not
the jeopardy OF the prisoner which atflicts
their hearts or his. It is his guilt. That
consciousness OF the great wrong which he
has committed burns into his soul and theirs.
II there Is Il blot upcu the cscucthcon of
South Carolina this day, it is, that lawlpss-
ness pcrvadcs over the land. II there is n
blemisll on her fair fame, it. is that the laws of
the land are not fcarIesSly enforced by the iu-
RES. we do not ask you to find All innocent
man guilty FOR any such REASONS AS these, but
We do ask that YOU do That which Your con-
science demand. We ask YOU to say on your
oaths whether the prisoner is guilty of the
charge or not guilty, and binding yourselves
to all outward considerations, We call upon
you now to write such Il verdict in this case
as VIII make the law hereafter what it should
be, Il terror to all evil-doers. 1t is not ven
geance that We seek. The State does not
crave the blood of any OF her children. II ia
the example which is needed. Unless you do
y0ursduty hcre,..nrxt week may have it's tale of
Dio"a 10 record in your county. 1t you turn
this prisoner loose you give him Il cartn
blanche to Stay whom he chooses. Your YER
dict will have established Il fact tina. he is not
responsible to the law. Yet YOU will rive
him perfect freedom to walk your streets, to
carry deadly weapons, to take any life or de-
str"y any property without the fear of consc-
quenccs. Are you prepared to do this? If
so the future historian OF your country will
write that liberty in your land was sacrificed
to license. and freedom, driven from her adopt-
cd home by the uncurbcd passions of your
rising generation.