Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-04
this nature. unsupported BY other

Of this nature, unsupported BY other
proof"
And again another eminent English
Judge, Mr.. Baron Anderson, upon
trial Of this kind. said
alt was necessary 20 warn the jury
against the danger Of being misled by
train Of circumstsntial eyideoce. Inc
mind was apt 20 take . pleasure IN
adapting circumstances 10 one another,
and even in straining them little, u
need be. to force them to form parts oil
one connecting whole; and the more
ingenious the mind of the individual
the more likely was it, in considering
such matters, TO oyerreach aud mlsieai
itself. to supply some little lux that IS
wanting. to take for granted some tae'
consistent with its previous theories,
and necessary to render them COM
plete."
Now, gentlemen .. the jury, shall
leave this case with you, urging yoa 10
remember the advice of the wisest and
most experienced in the land. | take
leave Of this case, and before taking
leave Of il, allow me 10 say, gentle
men-you will bear me witnesses that Il
is not my practice 10 flatter jury-it
is due to you, after these long days and
nights Of trial, that ! should say for
myselfand nv associates that we render
to you our hearty thanks for the pa
thence and unvaryiDg kind demeanor
with which You have listened TO this
case from beginning TO end. On our
side. we trust it TO you in the con-
fident hope that you will weigh the cir
cumstanees and the testimony, and
that you will let this accused 90 gait
Of this charge. That unhappy girl has
passed to her final account. That God
who judges in mercy has no doubt par
doned and forgiven her. II can add
nothing 10 her fate or future to take
this man. life without reason and
without cause ; and implore you in
the name Of that justice which you are
sworn to administer. in the name Of the
oath which you have taken to make
true dellyerance between this accused
and the Commonwealth, not 10 add
another victim under the idea that has
been thrown out TO you that he has
lived long enough, and that vengeance
should claim him As her own, but that
you will respect his rights and the
rights Of those who advocate his rights.
We have in our humble and faithful
way stood by him in his hour Of trial.
Sirs. no doubt much of censure has
fallen upon US because We have yen-
tured TO uphold his rights. IL is just
in such a time Of peril. when cloud and
darkness gather upon man, and sus-
pIcion oyerspreads his horizon, and pre-
judice and passion are hunting him,
that he needs the aid Of those
appointed by the law 10 see that
his Just rights are achieved. And Tor
myself, now at an age when my blood
is cold and thin. whatever Of life there
is in it kindles at the thought that a man
shall be hunted TO death. and | will de-
fend him to the last by all the methods
the law allows, and in doing that am
rendering you a service and every
good citizen a service, the law a
service. and jurisprudence a service !;
and we shall deserve, and shall
receive, when temper has subsided
and passion gone down, the plaudits
Of all whose opinion Is worth having or
that we value. II has belonged TO my
profession. from its foundation, 10 stand
by men Of every class and kind in trou-
ble. God grant the day may never
come when the poorest or the humblest
shall need defender , If so, the glory
will have gone out Of that noble pro-
fesSion.
5 Gentlemen. We give you his case,
! with the earnest prayer that the God
! who rules the destinies d Us all may
guide your judgment in the interests OF
; mercy and Of truth.
Nr. Meredith.
When Judge Crump finished Mr..
: Meredith arose and said that the Com
! monwealtb had done everything posi-
Die 10 expedite the trial, but that eigh,
teen hours had been consumed by the
defence in attacks on the prosecution
and be thought be would save time by
: asking the Court 10 adjourn until to
day, when he would have time 10 pu'
his argument in a condensed form.
The Court asked the jury il theJ
wished TO adjourn, and they consented
and this was done.
; Mr.. Meredith will commence his ar
gument this morning.
Hofxford.s Brend PreDa ration.