Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-03-09
Arguments in
COL Cooper Case
AUDIENCE ASKED TO REMAIN
AFTER JURY WAS DISMISSED.
THE COURT ROOM PACKED.
Capt. Fitzhugh's Argument for the
State Considered Masterpiece-Es-
peeialIy Dramatic Peroration.

Nashville. Tenn, March S.-After
Captain Fitzhugh had completed the
opening argument for the state this
afternoon in the case against Col. ID.
B. and Robin j. Cooper and John d.
Sharp. charged with the murder of
former United States Senator Car
mack. Judge William Hart ordered
the jury withdrawn and said:
Judge Hart Talks to Spectators.
II asked the audience to remain un-
til after the jury was dismissed in Or
der that l might do something 1
never did before. l want to thank
you for the splendid order preserved
today. In spite of the splendid bursts
Of eloQuence from the speaker there
has not been a single demonstration
and the court is thankful to you for
making his task an easy one. You
may go now, but return tomorrow
early, and remember that the warning
! gave you this morning against any
demonstration holds good tomorrow"
Poorly Ventilated Court Room Packed
to Suffocatien.
Captain F'itzhugh made a strong and
striking argument 1t lasted over five
hours and when he finished he was
exhausted The court room was packed
to suffcoation, the ventilation was poor
anu NAlN HDC1lobOlo ltll sllC CAtCL VI
the vitiated atmosphere. The young
Memphis attorneys speech is consid-
cred masterpiece of logical argument
and bitter invective and it had a no
ticeable effect upon the jurors, who
leaned forward and listened breath
lessly to every word. Fitzhugh was
close friend of Carmack and he is in
the case at the special request Of Mrs.
Carmack His peroration was espe-
cially dramatic.
Dramatic Peroration.
There will be many arguments
made to YOU" he said, ito touch your
hearts. You win be asked to be gen
erous and sympathetic. They will talk
to you of this boy here. Why, gen.
tlemen, he is 27 years old and some
IF the greatest achievements Of men
nave been accomplished before a man
is thirty; and they will point to Col
Onel Cooper as a gentleman of the old
school. as the last flower of the old
southern chivalry.' Do you believe It +?
Was he a gentleman when he used
that awful language in the presence of
Miss Lee? And when they talk to
you of sympathy. just look over there
You see in sable garments the widow
Of E. w. Carmack. You see on her
arm the ten year old boy who was the
pride of f. w. Carmack's life. Did
Duncan Cooper or, Robin think Of this
widow or this boy when they shot
down the husband or the father?
Would it not nave been better IL Rob
in Cooper instead of shooting the
senator, had said to his father. 'Fa-
ther, do not kill the father of this lit
tie boy; do not slay the husband Of
this fond wife, but he did not. The
question to be decided is whether or
not the law is to be enforced. That
question is to be decided by you. If
murder is to be committed in the
streets of our cities without fear of
punishment. can you tell who will be
the next victim? The very liberty of
the press is at stake, the security of
the common people. 1t all rests with
you and in your hands place it un-
reservedly."