Year: 1860

went studlously to work unraveling the history


OF the case, and satisfied himself that his client


was the victim of malice, and that the state.


ments OF the accuser were tissue of falsehoods


When the trial was called on, the prisoner pale


and emaciated, with hopelessness written on


every feature, and accompanied by his halfhop.


ing, half despairing mother-whoso only hope


was in mothers belief of her sons innocence


In the justice of the God she worshipped, and


noble counsel who without the hope of fee or


reward upon earth, had undertaken the cause


took his seat in the prisoners box, and with


"stonny firmness " listened to the reading of


the indictment. Lincoln sat quietly by, whilst


the large auditory looked on him as though won


dering what he could say in defence of one whose


guilt they regarded as certain. The examina-


tion of the witnesses for the State was begun,


and we'll arranged mass of evidence, circum
stantial and positive, was introduced, which


seemed to impale the prisoner beyond the posi-


pility Of extraction. The counsel for the de-


tense propoundcd but few questions, and those
of a character which excited no uneasiness on
the part of the utor-merely in most cases
requiring the main witness to be definite as to
the time and place. When the evidence of the
prosecution was ended Lincoln introduced a few
witnesses to remove some erroneous impressions
in regard to the previous character of his client
who, though some what rowdyish, had never
been known to commit a vicious act and to
show that greater degree OF ill feeling existed
between the accuser and the accused than the at
cuser and the deceased. The prosecutor felt
that the case was a clear one, and his opening
speech was brief and formal


Lincoln arose, whilea deathly silence pervad-
ed the vast audience, and in clear and moder-
ate tone began his argument. Slowly and care.
fully he reviewed the testimony, pointing out
the hitherto uhobserved discrepancies in the
statements of the principal witness. That
which had seemed plain and plausible he made
to appear crooked as serpents path. The
witness had stated that the affair took place at
a certain hour in the evening, and that by aid
of the brightly shining moon, he saw the pris-
oner inaict the death blow with slung shot.
Mr. Lincoln showed that at the hour referred
to- the moon had not yet appeared above the
horizon, and consequently the whole tale was
fabrication. An almost instantaneous change
seemed to have been wrought in the minds of
his auditors, and the verdict of "not guilty."
was at the end of every tongue. But the advo-
cate was not content with this Intellectual
achievement. His whole being had for months
been bound up in this work of gratitude and
mercy, and, as the lava of the overcharged cra-
ter bursts from its Imprisonment, 50 great
thoughts and burning words leaped forth from
the soul of the eloquent Lincoln. He drew
picture of the perjurer so horrid and CHASTITY
that the accusor could sit under it no longer,
but reeled and staggered from the court ROOM
whilst the audience fanced they could see the
brand on his brow. Then in words Of thrilling
pathos Lincoln appealed to the jurors as fathers
OF sons who might become fatherless, and as
husbands of wives who might bo widowed, to
yield to no previous impressions, no ill founded
prejudice, but do his client justice and as he
alluded to the debt of gratitude which he owed
the boy sire, tears were seen to fall fom ma
ny eyes unused to weep. 1t was near night
when he concluded by saying that if justice was
donc-as he believed it would bo-before the
sun should set it would shine upon his client
free man. The jury retired, and the court ad-
journed for the day. Half an hour had not
elapsed, when, as the officers of the court and
the volunteer attorney sat at the tea-tablo of
their hotel, messenger announced that the iu-
ry had returned to their seats. All repaired
Immediately to the court house, and whilst the
prisoner was being brought from the Jail, the
court room was filled to oycrhowing with ctl
zens of the town. When the prisoner and his
mother entered, silence reigned as completely
as though the house were empty. The fore
man of the jury, in answer to the usual inquiry
from the court, delivered the verdict Of Not
Guilty!' The widow dropped into the arms of
her son, who lifted her up and told her to look
upon him as BEFORE free and innocent. Then
with the words, " Where is Mr.. Lincoln ?" he
rushed across the room and grasped the hand of
his delivorer, whilst his heart was too full for
uttcrancc. Lincoln turned his eye toward the
west, where the sun still fingered in view, and
then, turning to the youth, seid at is not
yet sundown, and you are free" confess
that my checks were not wholly unwetb by tears,
ard ! turncl from tln aiisctiaa ssaas. - !.