Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-25

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swept his heart. His imagination be-
gan to blaze with fires of eloquence
that had been his birthright from two
generations of great lawyers in the
south. Somehow this morning the
scene before him stirred his spirit
with unusual power. Every crime ap-
parently on the calendar had its origin
in the lust for money. Every felon SEN
fenced could have traced his ruin to
this curse-thieves, embezzlers, burg
lars, a man who had killed his partner
In a dispute over money, grafters
highwaymen, and last of all, two fallen
women who had been amassing for
tune out Of the ruin of their sisters.
The figures in the court room grew
dim and faded, and out Of this mist OF
the spirit world his excited fancy saw
crooked Red Shape rise over all,
stretch forth a long bony hand drip
ping with blood and filth and begin to
throw gold into a black bag. The face
was hideous, but a crowd Of worship
full admirers followed eagerly in the
footsteps of the Red Shape, scramb-
ling and fighting for the coins that
slipped through the dripping fingers.
He walked from his day dream with
start, to hear the clerk read in quick
tones:
"The People against Henry Wood
man."
The judge looked at the dazed pris-
oner and said:
What have you to say, Henry Wood
man, why sentence should not be i'm
posed upon you for the crime Of which
you stand convicted by your own
plea?"
With a quick movement Of his tall
figure Stuart was on his feet, every
nerve and muscle strung to the high
est tension. His long sinewy hands
were trembling so violently he could
scarcely hold the slip of paper con-
tanning the notes he had scrawled for
guidance in his address. And yet when
he spoke it was with apparent calm
of his voice betrayed his emotion.
May it please your honor" he slow
ly began, Il wish to establish to the
court before l say anything in behalf
of my client, the important fact that
he offered to make full restitution of
the property taken, that he did this
voluntarily before he was even sus-
pected of the crime, and that his offer
was refuaed."
The judge turned to Bivenss law
yers.
rs this admitted, gentlemen"
Without question, your honor" was
the instant answer.
The old recorder lifted his gray eye
brows in surprise, and settled back
into his seat with a low grunt.
II make the fair inference therefore
in the beginning" Stuart went or
evenly, that the prosecutor in the
case, who appears in this court today
with an array of distinguished law
yers, whose presence is unnecessary tc
serve the ends of justice, is here ac-
tuated solely by a desire for personal
vengeance"
Stuart paused and Bivens moved
uneasily in his seat.
II speak today, your honor, in be-
half of the man who crouches by my
side overwhelmed with shame an6
grief and conscious dishonor because
he took a paltry package Of jewelry
from a man who has never added one
penny to the wealth of the world and
yet has somehow gotten possession
of one hundred million dollars from
those who could not defend themselves
from his strength and cunning. This
man stands before you now with nc
shame in his soul, no tears on his
cheeks, and with braZen effrontery de.
| mands vengeance on weaker brother
Two men are on trial, not one
The majesty of the law has already
been vindicated in the tear stained
plea that has been entered. Between
| these two men the court must decide.
Il am not here to defend the crime
of theft. The law of property has lone
| been omnipotent. But l dare to plead
with your honor today for the begin
ming of a new, nobler, higher law OF
humanity-the law that shall place
man above his chattel. l shall not ash
for the mercy of light sentence.
am going to appeal to this court fol
something bigger, more divine. l an
going to ask for justice under the
higher law of man, whose divine code
is yet unwriten, but whose day Is
surely dawning."
The judge leaned forward with one
hand on his cheek, listening intently
to the young lawyers quivering words
Bivenss face had grown livid with eX-
citement, and he sat staring helplessly
at the speaker.
Crime, your honor, is in the hear
of man, not in the act he performs. Il
shoot at a target and killed a by
stander, the act is not murder. But il
am at my enemy and kill my frient
have committed murder. Out of the
heart are the issues Of life. Under the
laws of today the act of this man i:
called a crime Yet who can say tha
when we shall have slowly emerged
from the era of property into the era
of man. his act may not he called he
role? Morals are relative things
They are based on the experiences ant
faith of the generations which expires!
them. Men were once hanged for dar'
ing to express an opinion contrary tt
that held by their parish priest Sucf
men are today the leaders of the world
The proud and cruel silence of ancient
Europe has been succeeded by the uni
versal cry for equal justice. And th!:
rising chorus of the world is fas
swelling into the deep soul conviction
which cries: I will not make money
out of my brother who is hungry.
refuse to be happy while my sister
weeps i'm shame. | will not caress riN
own child while that of my neighbnI