A full and authentic report of the testimony on the trial of Matt. F. Ward; certified to be correct by Thomas D. Brown, clerk of Hardin Circuit Court ... for the Hardin District and Judge Volume 91 - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... life of a man on such testimony as this. We pursued the course we did in regard to these boys, merely to show that they could not give a perfect and credible statement, and detail the affair as it took place. All the facts of the case are important as throwing light upon it. If you believe this prisoner guilty as charged, I do not ask you to acquit him. But if you believe that he only performed a justifiable act, it is your solemn duty before God and your country, to rescue him from a dishonorable grave. Appeals have been made to your feelings. We sympathize deeply with the unhappy lady you saw on the witness stand; and were I able to reverse the occurrence that has bereaved her, it would be the happiest and proudest act of my life. But the dead are gone, and it is your duty to see that you do the living no wrong. The most bitter anathemas have been hurled at our witness, Robert J. Ward, Jr. You have been told that he stood here a prejudiced and impeached witness, testifying on his own behalf, and that the hal' ter was even now impending over him. He is not on trial here, but I must say that I consider his detention afc confinement without warrant of law, and a wanton restraint on his liberties. Before they can make him criminal, they must prove that he knew it was the prisoner's purpose in visiting the school-house, to perform an unlawful act; and according to all the books, they must show that he aided and abetted the. fact committed. I put it to your candor, gentlemen, whether ha did any thing of the kind. It is not consistent with law, to believe a witness unworthy of credit, when he states nothing contrary to reason, and is corroborated as to all the principal facts. In reviewing the testimony, I will begin with that of this witness, for he...
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