Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-08-21
IN HIS W BEHALF.

Remarkable Address to tho Jury at Re
gina by Louis Riel In Defense of His 40
tion-Ho Speaks for Two Hours and q
Halt, and Claims to Have Been Directed
by Providence-Given to the Jury.
REGINA, N. w. T., Aug. Ion the open.
ing of court yesterday morning half an
hour vas consumed in taking the remain
ing testimony for the defense. The rest of
the forenoon was occupied in examining
witnesses called by the Crown in
rebuttal, General Middleton and 9th.
ers testifying to Riels sanity. Fitz.
patrick, for the defense, then addressed
the jury. The argument was that RE first
| took up the grievances of the half-breeds
! with the intention of securing redress from
the Government, but the movement s%oon.as-
sumed such proportions that he could not
control it, and he was carried along until
| his mind lost its poise, and he became ire
sponsible.
At the conclusion of the counsel's ad-
dress the judge gave Riel permission to
speak in his own behalf, and for two hours
he harrangued the crowded courtroom,
! which was silent as death. Riel p%refaced
his address with a prayer, and with his
eyes turned Heavenward said:
90, my God, help me through the grace and
uiNlI lluuCuCc " jesus christ. BLESS ufC,
bless this honorable court, bless this honora'
bic jury, bloss my good lawyers who have
come seven hundred leagues to try to save
ny me- horn ol dssd inc Mha LAWYERS tSa Of the Crown, 70.
duty, and have shown a fairness did not OK.
pect. Oh, my God, bless all those who are
ground me, and through the grace Of Jesus
Christ, our Saviour, turn their curiosity into
calm interest. Amen
The prisoner then began his address.
Posterity, he said, would justify him for
what he had done, and though now a fail
uro his mission would be taken up by the
spirit and successfully accomplished. His
writings would live after him. For ten years
God had protected him on his mission, and
| when the bullets flew thick around him he
knew he would be safe. God acknowledged
him when General Middleton testified that
he was sane, and broke down the evidence
of the insanity experts. BY the grace OF
God he was the founder of Manitoba and
the benefactor of humanity, the prophet OF
the new world. During the past night God
had spoken to him and comforted him. In
conclusion the prisoner said:
"Your honors and jury: My life, liberty
and reputation are at your disposal. l have
not the slightest doub as to your verdict, and
favorable decision j expect does not come
from my presumption. You are conscientious
anil you will acquit me. l wish to state
GuuI tuo mouse OIL Commons, Cnc senate
and the Ministry of the Dominion Ok
not represent the Northwest. 1t is only
a show. and not a representative Govern
ment which rules anada and the Northwest
Witnesses on both sides have made it certain
to you that petition after petition was sent tt
the Federal Government, but so irresponsible
is that Government that besides doing nothing
to satisfy the people of the Northwest it has
not given either sign or response. This fac
would indicate insanity complicated with
paralysis. That monster Of "irresponsibility,
| the JnSnna GOVPrnlnnnf and itS little ono fhG
Northwest Council, nave made up their m!.ds
to answer my. petitions by surrounding MI
slyly, attempting to jump at me and my PEG
pie. Happily, when they showed their teeth
was ready. ! have fired and wounded them
This is what is called my crime, my high trca.
son. They led me to it, but my net was in the
nam OF Jesus Christ, who alone can hek
me-
A rambling attack on the Government
ended the prisoners address, which causec
intense excitement. at its conclusion Rob
ertson closed the case for the Crown, and
the Judge charged the jury.