The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-05-19

Dingler with ministers of the gospel.
Who could we prove Dingler's character
by better than by men who have been
in jail and by lawyers who have had
dealings with such men? Men, of good
character hadn't associated with him
and we had to get men who had met
him in saloons.
Gen. Childs Starts.
Gen. Childs spoke for the state, with
all the eloquence and logic for which he
is noted
In some respects, he said, this case
has no rival anywhere, and in some re-
spects it has taken permanent place
among the celebrated causes of the
world. Coming to this country in some
what impaired health, | forecasted the
weeks ahead with some apprehension.
The burden of responsibility rested
heavily upon me, and when | saw the
attorneys surrounding the other table
knew that every step in the case would
be bitterly fought. Gen. Childs paid a
graceful tribute to each of the six at
Ftorneys for the defense and also to his
own two assistants. We on the side
of the state have never presumed to
measure arrows with the counsel for
the defense. If there is any sertngth
on the states side it is in the
testimony of the states witnesses. 1t
has been well said that the state places
its protecting arms around its citizens
This does not consist of an armed
guard at their doors, but in healthy
public opinion, a great regard for law,
and the certainty that the perpetrators
of crimes will be brought to Justice.
There are penalties presented to teach
the evil minded to respect and obey
the laws.
When we have a jury composed of
twelve good men and true it is safe
and only unsafe when one or two of
it's members are swayed by weakness,
prejudice or passion. You are human,
and therefore subject to sympathy.
When | saw that old and respected cit
izen of Brown county 90 upon the
stand followed by his children, and
thought of what the trial meant to
them, | knew what sympathy you
would Justly feel for them. If you did
not feel it you would not be human.
Oh, that Louis A. Gerhard might be
restored to life and to his office on
Minnesota street in New UIm. But this
cannot be, and the only question that
you have to consider is whether the de-
PENDANT is guilty of the great crime
committed there last Nov. lst If any
one has an excess of sympathy, let me
suggest that vigorous prosecution
tends to make fewer deplorable crimes
like this, and fewer Mother Gebhard's
weeping like Rachel for their children.
You should remember that vow will be
doing good to the public by doing your
duty.
The court will instruct you as to a
reasonable doubt. There may be a slight
foolish or unfounded doubt, but it
should not be allowed to influence YOU.
The state wants you to consider the
evidence and reach your verdict ON the
evidence alone, unswayed by any other
consideration. The fact that a commit
tee of New Ulm citizens became inter
ested in aiding the prosecution in its
work, and that the defense has criti-
cized this should not influence you.
When good and prominent man is
cruelty murdered in his office and is
found weltering in his blood, it is a
favorable sign that a prominent citizen
is willing to give mis- time and money to
try to bring the perpetrator of the deed
to justice. We don't know where the
bolt will strike next. DR.. Gebhard's
doorpost was not marked. and it was
well that public opinion became aroused
and leading citizens were willing to
help find the perpetrator.