or, these foul and slanderous charges, the filthy ooze
of an irresponsible newspaper, are incredible, preposterous--nay,
mendacious! They are not made in good faith. The purpose of those who
are fomenting mischief, under the pretence of performing public duty,
is not what it professes to be. The motives underlying this show of
public virtue are sinister and selfish."

"Do you mean to cast reflections on my character, sir?" demanded
Daviess.

"Not at all. You are brilliant enough to shine by your own light.
Look, sir, a moment, at the history of this illustrious American
citizen whom you are called upon to vex and vilify; remember his
heroic conduct in war, his splendid services in peace; recall the
story of his public sacrifices and his private misfortunes; who, I
ask, is worthy of a generous people's gratitude and confidence if
Aaron Burr be not worthy? Do you charge him with disloyalty? him the
hero of Quebec, of Long Island, and of Monmouth? him the very sword
hand of Washington?" This flourish of rhetoric added an extra inch to
the length of Jim Sweet's craned neck.

"Sock it to 'em!" he tried to shout, but his phthisicky effort ended
in a spell of coughing.

"Order in the court!" shouted the clerk, fixing the disturber with
threatening eye.

"They tell us Republics are ungrateful, and it seems that my learned
friend, the district attorney, would have you believe that miserable
maxim. Out upon such a sentiment! We boast, sir, of the hospitality of
Old Kentucky, especially of the Blue Grass region, and well we may
boast. Our people are magnanimous--their hearts are great. But what
shall be said of the unspeakable meanness, baseness, perfidy, of that
man or that community which would betray the stranger at the gates,
that would traduce and malign a high-minded, unsuspecting guest? What,
your Honor, is the hospitality of that section or city in this vast
Republic, the function of whose tribunals is to protect the rights of
the individual; what is the hospitality of a neighborhood which
permits a citizen to lie in wait to assassinate a pilgrim of peace?
That, your Honor, is what the prosecutor purposes. He would blacken
the reputation of his brother who happens to be of a different
political complexion. He would filch from the ex-Vice-President of the
United States his good name."

"He'd flitch his own mother," ventured Jim, on whose brain the
dipperful of whiskey was producing mixed results.

"Hold yer gab,"