Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

428 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-18S6.
confront a desperately strong tide of circumstances. His plea was
over two hours long. The old court-house (Odd Fellows' building)
was packed to the doors ;
crowds hung about the building, and coun-
try teams were standing in all the approaches to the Springfield
hall of justice. Hundreds had driven into the village many miles to
hear Morris's defence. The lawyer had first to sweep aside prejudice
and a popular feeling of guilt, and then to offer explanations of the
stern facts of blood, death, and of the secretive acts of Elliot.
Morris had a rotund, sweeping, and impetuous style of orator}^ His
powerful arms would sweep through the air, and he would pose, or
stamp his foot, or stride to and fro before the twelve jurymen, as was
the wont of the profession half a century ago. The court-room had
been gradually drawn to the prisoner's side, and under the skilful
handling of Morris the jury, too, were affected ;
and when the lawyer
sat down women were in tears, and the whole body of listeners deeply
moved. The jury acquitted Elliot after an absence of two hours, and
a memorable scene of relief and congratulation followed.
Another graphic scene, but of a far different nature, occurred in
August, 183"2, when about one hundred revolutionary soldiers of the
comity assembled at the Probate Court to prove their pension claims
under a new act, and the circumstance gave rise to a patriotic demon-
stration. The portrait of George Washington, copied from the Gilbert
Stewart painting at Hartford, by Mr. Elwell, then growing in popu-
larity, was hung in the court-room, and one veteran said, witli teai's in
his eyes, "Oh, yes, it looks like the old General." This venerable
company, after the legal formalities, took their slow march to the
Hampden Coffee-house in a pouring rain. A fine dinner was laid for
them, and Judge Morris spoke, and Rev. Mr. Knapp, of "Westfield,
pronounced a blessing. Mr. P^lwell's portrait of Washington now
hangs in the Common Council room in this city, and serves to per-
petuate the name of the artist whom so many in this region honored
and loved.
George Bliss came quite prominently into politics in 183."), when he