Assassination of Lincoln: a History of the Great Conspiracy: Trial of the Conspirators by a Military Commission, and a Review of the Trial of John H. SurrattHarris, T. M. (Thomas Mealey)
History
Assassination of Lincoln: a History of the Great Conspiracy: Trial of the Conspirators by a Military Commission, and a Review of the Trial of John H. Surratt
Harris, T. M. (Thomas Mealey)
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Assassination; Surratt, John H. (John Harrison), 1844-1916
to counsel which are at all insulting in their character, however much
you may feel yourself aggrieved by remarks which they may have made in
reference to witnesses generally, or in reference to yourself before
your examination.
"In this connection it may not be improper to observe that I have
never, in all my judicial experience, seen a case in which there has
been so much trouble with regard to the examination of witnesses and so
much bitterness of feeling displayed.
"It may be all right, but I confess I see no reason why it should be
so. I cannot, of course, enter into the feelings of counsel, and it
is possible they may feel themselves aggrieved, and therefore regard
themselves as justified in exhibiting this spirit. I will say, further,
that I have never seen witnesses cross-examined with so much asperity
as I have in the case now pending. It does not appear to me, therefore,
as at all strange that witnesses should be worried into such remarks
as this witness has uttered, especially when intimations are publicly
thrown out by counsel as to their fitness for the penitentiary, and
that, too, when some of the most respectable persons in the land, such,
for instance, as General Grant and Assistant Secretary Seward, are
among the number. And not even was the effect of the remark allowed
to stop with the intimation, but when attention was called to it
by the District Attorney, in the hope, I presume, that it would be
recalled, it was repeated, and with the additional observation that
the propriety of the remark could be shown. When such things occur it
is not at all surprising that witnesses should come here prepared to
avenge themselves by making insulting replies to the counsel. I deeply
deplore it, and will endeavor, by most carefully observing all that
transpires, to prevent a similar recurrence on the part of either
counsel or witnesses; but however watchful the Court may be, such
things will occasionally break forth at times and under circumstances
when, from not expecting it, it is impossible for the Court to check
them." [Again addressing himself to the witness.] "Dr. McMillen, you
are highly reprehensible for having made such remarks as that to which
exception has been taken. It was altogether out of place. If you felt
yourself aggrieved by any remark, you should have called on the Court
for protection. You will now proceed to give your evidence, and in a
manner respectful to the counsel. If the counsel on either side shall
treat you with what you conceive to be disrespect, you will appeal to
the Court, and the Court will intervene for your protection. I would,
however, suggest to gentlemen on both sides that in the examination of
witnesses, if they will consult Quintilion and Allison in regard to
their duty in this respect (and no doubt they have read the remarks
of both these authors on the subject), they will find that those
writers say nothing is to by gained by a bitterness of manner toward
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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