- Obvious printer errors and missing punctuation fixed. Archaic and inconsistent spelling, variations in hyphenation retained.
- A pointing hand in the text preceding the Advertisements has been replicated using the “White right pointing index” Unicode character (U+261E). If the device font does not support this character, ☞, it may not display correctly.
- The table of contents has been created and added by the transcriber.
- The cover has been created by the transcriber and placed in the public domain.
| TRIAL OF STEPHEN H. BRANCH, FOR LIBEL. | 1 |
| IN MY CELL. | 2 |
| OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. | 3 |
| ALLIGATORS. | 3 |
| AN IMMORTAL PETITION. | 4 |
| Advertisements | 4 |
STEPHEN H. BRANCH’S
ALLIGATOR.
TRIAL OF STEPHEN H. BRANCH,
FOR
LIBEL.
For want of room we omit the evidence andinsert summing up of counsel for defendant,remarks of Mr. Branch, sentence by the Recorderand opinions of the Press:
[From the N. Y. Express.]
SUMMING UP FOR DEFENCE.
Shortly after the opening of the Court, Mr.Ashmead rose and commenced to sum up forthe defence. He opened by pointing out theresponsibilities of the Jury, stating that shouldthey find a verdict in favor of the prosecution,it would establish a precedent which wouldstrike a serious blow at the liberty of the citizen.He characterized the prosecution as oneof the most extraordinary character. In commentingon the experience of the opposing counsel,he said he remembered a comment by a mosteminent divine, on the words of Solomon, “Ihave never seen the righteous forsaken, norhis seed begging their bread,” namely, thatwhat Solomon had not seen he had. He spokestrongly against the fact that the prosecutionhad originated with the Grand Jury, instead oftaking the action before a committing magistrate,having a preliminary examination.Here was a citizen, humble if they pleased, onone side, while on the other was the Mayor ofthe greatest city in the New World, and theseofficers of the Grand Jury, forgetting that inthis republic all should be treated alike, encroachedupon the liberty of this citizen bystepping out of their usual course. Should thejury adopt the precedent of convicting a manunder such circumstances