The sun., 1896-03-15

Smith was proven. and had the determination
SS%Ss sSat Re
guilty. But, fortunately for him. in criminal
t shS SSsa Se
| lied. No abridgment can do Justice to the
| speeches made on this occasion by Golden. Hofr.
Emmet Hn S eapressed his 81 surprise that the Gov
ernment SHOULD have insisted on a trial in the
absence of the defendants witnesses. Il
Thought that this cause would have been post
poned by common consent until It could be
a jury and the world at large enabled to form q
correct judgment Of the ature and Justice OF
visabie to pursue u different line of conduct.
We forced on to trial, without the benefit
are wilfully absent; our testimony is metmed
AMI mutllated: we are tied and bound and cast
he he angel t OF God viii walk with us through the
Speaking of Miranda's expedition. ho said:
with what assurances or promises. with what
hopes or expectations he left our shores. 1t Is
not perhaps permitted mo to assent; but II his
object be TO give happiness to the wretched and
liberty TO the slave. may he fulfil for his coun-
try the omen that is contained in his name.
ried on, whoever shall be the oppressor of tho
oppressed. may the Alnighty Lord OF Hosts
freedom OF their native land May He guide
them ~ their sonnseis, assist them In Their
give them victory In their battles"
The jury, whether swaycd by the eloQuence
of the defendapt,s co'insel or guided by that
verdict Of not guilty, Judge Edwards in a
said: Tho people had been persuaded that
Miranda in a most Ingenious manner, before
pcdition. pc o had anfodeS to the PRESIDENT and to
you his purposes; that you both approved of
tSsS Ynas ynrs aas to he sm1S
and to YOU, and informed them that both fully
OF With hesS deas the sae
a,d best motives. engaged In Miranda's plan.
Miranda was likely to involve the Government
In II serious controversy. with Spain, thought
proper to tlisavow the whole transaction, and.
in order TO preserve it from blame. had ordered
these prosecutions. intending thereby to cx-
culpato himself and throw the whole blame on
Smith and Ogden. the only innocent agents
concerned In II.
As to how far the Government was COM
mi,ted to Mirandas scheme. We have the most
solemn statement on the part OF Mr.. Jefferson.
IN II letter written Oct. 4. 1909. TO the then
Spanish Minister. Don Valentine dc Frouda:
qette against the Administration OF this country,
dn hS %rInf no tot IN it
this spirit he wished It 70 Ge believed that We We're
soemnly and on my personal truth and honor, de-
clare to you that there was neither cooperation
he was about TO attempt the liberation OF his native
S%Iny fr G9n1"sT pna Inn S1 nops OF our
formed that t although we had great cause OF com.
ever should think proper net as her enemy, it
should be openly and above board. and that our
means. We had no suspicion that he expected to
engage men here, but merely to purchase military
stores. Against this there was no law, nor conse-
qucntly any authority for us to interposo oDsta-
cles.
1t Is to be regretted that Mr. jefferson did
not allow his Cabinet Ministers to testify Mt
the trial to the facts here stated. 1t would have
saved him and them much Censure. and ut the
same time have excused Smith and Ogden. who
doubtless acted under misinformaton as to
how far the Administration was cognizant Of
Miranda's plans. J. S. TUCKER.