The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-28


sentences were so rythmical, It's senti-
ments 80 lofty. and its tone 80 confident
that It seemed for the time TO hush into
,ilence the inOrdlnate clan or or the
multitude that demanded not only the IFS
of the prisoner but was even Impatient
Of words spoken in his defence.
1 beg to reproduce the opening sentences
Of the greatest jury speech 70 which II
has beea my good fortune 10 listen. no
said: ...,...,...,,
THE OPENING SENTENCES.
MAY it please the court and gentle
men OF the jury. IL IS difficult senue-
men, for me 10 tell you tho emoliohS
which fiji my breast as / stand before
i,,rv charged with the issues Of life and
death. 1 .annot make you sensible Tor
my language IS inadequate TO that end
Of the deep reverence ! feel for those
charged by tho law with the solemn
trust which you are now called upon 10
execute. There IS something about
iurv. gentlemen. which always awdkens
Ina every case my prOfounled respect.
You occupy the highest position known 10
the execution OF human laws, ara you
are the final arbiter upon the life lber-
~ ana property OF every citizen I'm the
/ commonwealth IL has been said ana
truly said that constitution and avs
an the organization Of gOvefnment-at
last finds its expression and its vi1dica-
ton In the twelve disinterested ana I'M
partial men who occupy the jury-DoN'
| Your sense OF personality IS almost en-
tirely lost to me. You seem 70 me 10
I have been transformed from the cruz
nary citizens. who walk these streets,
into priests ministering ut the altar IN
the temple Of Justice. You have stripped
from yourselves those ordinary robes OF
passion and caprice and self-will that
Governs us IN our ordinary walk IN HE
and Won have gone through a species or
ntrcation ia taking the oath which quail
files Won 70 SIT there which has made YOU
The exemplars Of tho highest morality
and disintarcsteducss known among men.
And hence il is that / stand before
furv scat. surrounded by tho guardian
barriers which the law has placed about
you-a jury who before they take their
places. invoke tho solemn presence Of the
Great Eternal TO witness that they viii
decide the case upon the law ana upon
the evidence: that they Will oiVest them-
selves. as far as human nature is cap
able Of dvesting itself, OF the ordinary
things Of earth. the weight OK clay which
encompasses us, and stand in their NOR
nj natures free from bias or prejudice,
and decide alone and exclusively upon
tho evidence which they have heard
without fear, favor or anocuon-and
hence when entertain that feeling tow
ards this, / say greatest tribunal on
earth. sworn to determine upon what
they hear from the witness-stand. and
upon that alone. you may judge or the
amazcment with which 1 have heard that
tribunal appealed 90 substantially TO take
tho life Of this accused because thous-
ands outside Of you and OF your duties
and Of your functions clamor for H. ana
who arc watching you with Jealous eyes
in the expectation that their frantic pur-
poses should be mpllshed-purposes
dependent upon no such facts and tesu-
mony as you have heard, but the result
of those common feelings and passions.
which. while they are honorable TO our
nature, are easily kindlcd into violence
and excess.
And. therefore. when the story IS told
that this accused has debauched tho
moral nature. dedowered. the person, and
taken the ma Of his victim. il IS but
natural that q shudder should run
through soci5ty and all tho generous feel
iueg of our nature rise IN revolt ana hor-
ror al such an alleged crime. And, there
Zorro. something may be pardon5d 20 those
,rho with 40 further lm0wl edge than this
GENERAL inscription OF crime, have had
their minds filled with tile idea OF the
Guilt OF this accused. But fer you, who
have not shared IN that idea, but who
come diFDosso8scd Of IT.. O. listen 10 me
evidence. there is q difference, q totally
distinct task and labor. You pass upon
the testimony and that alone. IL II CON
duets YOU TO this mans guilt loiloW WIN
steady step the line OF your duty. ii IL
takes you TO his innocence follow lt with
tho same steady and defiant STEP care
less OF what may DO thought except by
that great Presence whose ana lh your
labors YOU have invoked
a POWERFUL EFFECT.
The bieh order CT oratory displayed IN
this introduction was maintained
tbrouohout his four-hours' speech. and
,.ben he had finished its effect upon the
iudro. fury. and by-standers could be
seen and ieit
Tho prosecuting attorneys sa emed un-
willing TO attempt reply with the ln-
eniraton OF that speech pervadins the
mind and heart Of the jury and prompt
~ asked an adjOurrme and the case
vent over TO the next day, and the exc
uectant throng that crowded the corll-
doris of the building and the street VAIN
out sullenly dispersed
Cicero says there are some men so
suffering in their expressions, $50 harsh
I'm their tone OF voice 80 iorb.ddir5 ln
Jthair look so unweldy in form, and so
rude i'm manners. that with al the gem
Am. and art in tho world. they can never
bocome orators There are. however,
others so happily turned. so endowed
with natures best gifts, that they seem
NOT TO he born. but moulded by the finger
of q god. TO this latter class Judge
GRIMM belonged and I do not hesitate TO
say that he measured fully up 10 the
stpndard OF the true orator laid down by
this. the greatest master OF the art among
the Romans. in the following striking
language. "'rhe man who deserves that
great namo must DO one. who, upon
an occasions, shall De able 10 deliver
what he has 10 say. accurately, perspicu-
ously, gracefully. with a ready memory
and a certain dignity u action" Neither
modern thought nor culture, nor dis
covery have added anything 10 ibis def
milton Of an orator.
judge Crump heartily despsed the toa-
dvism OF the day that would advance 10
high place and preforment the man who
has nothing better than wealth, or some
other accidental belonging. TO recon-
mend him. His whitening sarcasm and
pungent invective against such aspirants
and their advocates. would almost make
each particullr hair stand on end"
These are some Of the recoliections OF
this great man that readily come into my
mind. but the most precious Of all that
I remember Of him. concerns the refine
ment and hospitality Of his home. Of
these I forbear 10 speak.