468 Slide – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

436 X, AMERICAN STATE TRIALS.

About five of six years ago, it is well known, certain meas-
ures were adopted by the British parliament, which gave a
general alarm to this continent. Measures were alternately
taken in Great Britain, that awakened jealousy, resentment,
fortitude and vigilance. Affairs continued long fluctuating.
A sentiment universally prevailed, that our dearest rights
were invaded. It is not our business here to inquire touching
these delieate points. These are concernments, which, how-
ever interesting or important in themselves, we must keep far
away from us, when in a court of law. It poisons justice, when
polities tincture its current.

I need not inform you, how the tide rose, as we were ad-
vaneing towards the present times. The general attention
became more and more roused—people became more and more
alike in opinion and practice. A vast majority thonght all
that was dear was at stake—sentiments of liberty—property
—ignominious bondage—all conspire to increase the ferment.
At this period the troops land. Let us here pause and view
the citizen and the soldier.

The causea of grievance being thus spread far and wide,
the inhabitants viewed the soldiery as calied in, foreign from
their prime institution, to force obedience to acts, which were,
in general, deemed subversive of natural as well as constitu-
tional freedom, With regard to the universa) prevalence of
ideas of this kind, it does not fall within our present plan, to
give you direct, positive evidence. It would be too foreign
to the present issue, though pertinent enough, when consid-
ered as a clue to springs and motives of action, and as an ad-
ditional aid to form a just judgment in our present inquiry.
You, gentlemen, who come from the body of the country, are
presumed to know these facts, if they are true; nay, their
notoriety must be such, provided I am not mistaken in my
conjecture, that the justness of my observation on this mat-
ter must be certainly confirmed by your own experience. I
presume not in this, or any other matter of fact, to prescribe
to you; if these sentiments are wrong, they have no influence;
if right, they ought certainly to have their due weight.