The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-29
WHAT WON THE AcouIrrAL,
A lawyers Remarkable Plea When His
Clients Case Seemed Hopeless.

Clients Case Seemed Hopeless.
A prominent lawyer of the Lone Star
State, "a Ae recently visited Aew Orleans, re-
lated III n reporter the following story OF
murder trial In bis Texas home:
The prisoner was on trial for his life.
The evidence had all been heard The states
attorney had just taken his seat after most
incisive statement OF the evidence, wherein
he demonstrated the utter failure of the
prisoners theory of self defense. The coun-
sci for the prisoner was n stranger, too,
known only by reputation TO the judge and
bar. and that reputation was one OF great
ability, perfect integrity and marvellous
knac< of "snatching verdicts" each time
by some new turn. This gaunt, yet grace
full, gray headed man arose, seemingly
without looking ss the jury, though each
man felt he was under the power OF that
wide open eye After bowling to the judge
and saying few almost inaudible words
Of courtesy TO his honor, he turned to the
prisoner and said
"You must die, John--die by hanging 1t
will be for no fault of yours, by no fault Of
the judge, or of his jury, or of the good peo
pie of the county; neither will II be any
fault of the law. The law of Texas Is all
right, though you die Innocent. The law,
though its machinery may sometimes ex-
pose perjury, can't always prevent the false
swearing Of witnesses. Judges and juries
have not the power, though they sometimes
exercise the authority, of Almighty God
They couldn't look down into the souls OF
those perjured witnesses and see the malice
hate and private purpose that colored and
twisted all the facts. We can't help IL
now. You must die as you have lived. like
a brave man. don't need TO tell you that
The woman who bore you, three months
before you saw the light of heaven, carried
in her arms from one of the bloodies,
fields Of the late war the bleeding, senseess
form of your father, while shot and shell
still shrieked and the groans Of the dying
filled the air.
"And your father. whose MANNED body
we laid to rest last week, was not matched
in all this land These trusted you, and
their blood can betray no trust. The only
message he sent you was, Tell him we be
lieve in him. We will lay you beside them
In a few days this old white head will be-
laid next TO you. I'll not be ashamed to be
buried soon beside you, John. You are sc
like the other, John, that l see the visions
OF happy boyhood while gazing into the
same true eyes-confused with these is tLt
pride l have taken in my friends boy
While we lay these bodies in the CHURCH
yard over the mountain we'll appeal this
case. Well try 1t all over again up you
der"
Then, in few OF the boldest and grand
est figures, he sketched his idea OF trial III
heaven, where, as he said, lin that glorious
presence the false witness is dumb and Tho
inerrant judge needs not the aid OF counsel
or of jurors" Then he pictured the eager
ness with which the mother and the calm
confidence with which the father awaited
heavens verdict, the quick rush, the en-
trancing, soul satisfying embrace OF both at
the words. mot guilty" Then, taking up
both hands of the prisoner, he looked down
In bis face for a moment steadily, then
bending forward with mother like tender
ness, kissed him twice on the forehead, say
ing in a whisper audible to all: 1--WE can
wait for thatg SO goodby, John, my boy"
Bowing respectfully TO the Judge he took
his seat, still holding one Of the prisoner
hands
The district attorney, who through ali
this sat with his back half turned to the
speaker and 10 the jury nervously and ex
citedly chewing his toothpick and CROSSING
AMI recrossing his legs, began reply
which quickly ended efter n good look al
The Jurors faces in stammering request
To them TO do their duty. The judges
charge WAS scattering. He seemed 10
scarcely know what he said. The jury did
not hear him. Not the slightest incident
occurred to break the spell. They went
out, returned, and In a very few moments
the verdict OF mot guilty" was recorded
What was the force that worked" this rc
sultf-New Orleans Picayune.