Newspaper Page Text
lUcchli) Jutflligrucrr.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA,
Wednesday, May 15, 1805.
I'nderw ood’i (l’« S.) Court ut Richmond,
We devote most of our editorial space this
morning to llie following report made lor the
Richmond Tima*, of the assembling of Judge
Underwood’s (U. S.) Court in that city, of inci
dents connected therewith, and of his charge to
the grand jury. We do so, forming, as the re-
port docs, the chronicling of an event singularly
rare in the history of that important legal tri
bunal, and ol the “Mother State”—that glorious
old commonwealth whose past is so resplendent,
and whose future, we trust and believe, will
maintain, though she, like her Southern sister
States, is now under a cloud, her ancient renown.
“Whither arc we drifting,” may well be the in
quiry jaf every loyal and patriotic man in the
land, when those who wear the judicial ermine
indulge in such intemperate abuse of high offi
cial prerogative, and who appear, as their lan
guage indicates, to be influenced more by passion,
and prejudice, and hate, than by a desire to
maintain the law in justice and in mercy. But
we refrain further comment We arc sick at
heart at such a display, and only transfer the
proceedings of this, Judge Underwood’s (U. 8.)
Court, to our columns, as one of the disgusting
features of the history of the times. The reader
cun pass upon them such judgment as he pleases:
[From the Richmond Time*.]
underwood’s (u. b.) court.
•fudge John C. Underwood, of the United
States Circuit Court for Virginia, arrived in Rich
mond yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, by the
Fredericksburg train, landing at the Petersburg
depot 8nd walking thence to the SpotUwood
hotel, lie was escorted from the depot to the
hotel by Collector James, who walked on his
right hand, and the Assistant District Attorney,
who walked on the other. lie was followed by
a large and very black negro man, who bore his
traveling bag mid a ponderous lato book, nearly
as big as a Webster’s Dictionary. Three ne
groes, supposed to be the African quota of the
grand jury, followed behind, and on urriving at
the Spotswood corner were informed by the
Clerk of the Court that Judge Underwood would
open his Court at 3 o’clock precisely. Not be
ing invited to accompany the Judge into the
hotel, they proceeded up Eighth street. The
distinguished arrival produced no excitement.
• TIIK COURT ROOM.
As the hour of three o’clock approached a
number of reporters and some dozen or more
lawyers of the city, the latter prompted by cu
riosity to see the Grand Jury and hear the
Judge’s charge, repaired to the United States
Court room, on the second floor of the Custom
House. Among the lawyers we noticed Messrs.
Necson, Maury, Raymond, Nance, the two Gil
mers, Gulgon, Jones, Green, Grattan, Filzhugh,
Johnston, Quid and others.
Later, thirty or forty citizens, also attracted
by curiosity, dropped in. A few minutes after
three o’clock the Grand Jury came by twos
and threes and took their seats, Mr. Bolts
taking the position of foreman.
At a quarter past three Judge Underwood
came in and took his scat, and ordered the call
ing of the following list of Grand Jurors:
LIST Oh' TIIE GRAND JURORS—BOTTS.
John Minor Botts, Joseph Segar, Lewis Mc
Kenzie, J. T. Baldwin, Rozier Dulaney Beckley,
colored, Davit! Lupton, Cornelius Liggon Har
ris, colored, John Iluwxhurst, Thomas Davy,
T. S. Tennis, William Bartlett, George W.
Simms, colored, Fields Cook, colored, John Oli
ver, colored, Gillett T. Watson, Michael Umbar-
ger, Jacob N. Troth, John W. Gregg, Joseph T.
Jannev, John Wissler, II. G. Bond, William Q.
Mansfield.
The list being railed, all responded except
Lewis McKenzie, William Bartlett, Fields Cook
und J. T. Baldwin.
The Judge ordered that Mr. Botts be sworn as
foreman, and he was sworn, taking a number of
oaths. The rest were then called up by fours
and sworn, negroes and whites together. There
was nothing remarkable in this ceremony except
the avidity of the negroes to kiss the book, (they
could scarcely be restrained till the clerk got
through repealing the oaths,) and the unction
with which they smacked their lips over the sa
cred volume when permitted to get at it.
UNDERWOOD’S CHARGE—A GROSS AND ABOMINA-
llt.W T.IHF-T. ON THE PEOPLE OF RICHMOND.
Tito Grand Jurors having been duly sworn
and having resumed their seats, the Judge turned
in his seat, und facing them, proceeded to read
hju a harsh and rather indistinct voice, fumbling
/Jte sheets of bis manuscript nervously tbe while,
•nhe following infamous diatribe—tbe most abom
inable, without doubt, that ever disgraced a court
of justice. During the reading, which was in
terrupted only by an occasional half-suppressed
snort from an Ethiopian Grand Juryman, Botts
shut his eyes, and compressing the lids violently,
looked as if attempting to imagine himself some
where else.
“ Gentlemen of the Grand Jury:
“ The circumstances surrounding us demand
devout thanksgiving to Almighty God that we,
the friends and representatives of the Govern
ment of the United States, w’ho, last year were
threatened with destruction and hunted by as
sassins in ibis city for attempting to execute
the laws of our country, can now meet in con
scious security under the wings of the starry
banner which our patriot Congress has raised
for our protection. That we are permitted to
meet iu this building of everlasting grauite, so
mblematic of the power and strength of our
ernment, standing alone and unharmed amid
t conflagration that swept as with a bc-
estructiou all around it.
'hat solemn associations are suggested
g that in the very rooms we now oc-
tbe fiery soul of treason, rebellion
r—hence issued that fell spirit which
hclesale prisoners for the crime ot
flag of our common country; as-
ored soldiers for their noble and
in behalf of a government that
promised them protection; burn-
cities with a barbarity unknown to
ntries; scattered yellow fever and
mong the poor and helpless, and
down one of earth’s noblest mar-
om aud humanity,
subject of thanksgiving is presented
nsiitntion ol your body, furnishing
ec that the age of caste and class
departed, and the new era of justice
y breaking through the clouds ot per-
d prejudice is now dawning upon us.
gi st of ali that this city of Richmond
the spot ot earth to furnish this gra-
anifestation. Richmond, the beautiful and
doned seal of the rebellion, looking as comely
d specious as a goodly apple or a gilded sepul
chre, where bloody treason flourished its whips of
scorpions. Richmond, where the slave trade so
loug held high carnival, where the press has found
the lowest depths ot profligacy; where licen
tiousness has ruled until, probably, a majority of
births were illegitimate or without the forms of
law ; where the fashionable and popular pulpit
had been so prostituted that its lull-fed minister
ing gay Lotharios generally recommended the
worship of what they most’ respected, pleasure,
property or power, corresponding to the pagan
or mythological ideas of Bacchus, Mammon or
Mars—
“ God* bmt.it 1 qwrtial, passionate and untust;
Whose attributes were rage, revenge and last.
It was as if the fiends prevailed
Against the seraphs they assailed;
Aud fixed on heavenly thrones should dwelt
The freed inheritors of hell.
So soft the scene, so formed for joy,
So cursed the cause* that destroy.’'
“ Bat we are reminded that, ‘ where sin
abounded, grace may much more abound,’ and,
iu the light of recent changes, may we not hope
a material and moral future tor this city of Rich
mond, in strong contrast with its awful and
atheistic, and iu harmony with the salubrity of
its climate, the poetic beauty of its scenery, and
the magnificence ot its water power.
“1 have sometimes found that, by the usages
of tliis State, which have given the selection of
juries to the sheriffs and marshals, or, in profes
sional language, have packed juries instead ot
drawing liicni from a box ol names selected by
oilier officers, as is done in most of tbe States,
there was danger ot getting indifferent persons
upon the panel, but the care and rare judgment
which our marshals have always shown in their
selections, prove my fears unfounded, and I am
truly gratified to find so many gentlemen of pub
lic and private worth upon the present jury.
“We so often hear, from treasonable sources
around us, ot cruel acts passed by Congress since
the beginning of the war—acts which we are
called upon to enforce—that it is well, perhaps,
for one moment to consider the utter falsehood
of such charges., and to find, on examination,
the' unparalleled elemency and forbearance o!
the victorious Government which, bat for the
cost of tbe rebellion, would now be felt only in
its protection and its blessings. While it has
heretofore been tbe common law of all nations,
our own included, to punish treason by death, it
was reserved tor the American Congress, in the
midst of a gigantic rebellion, on tbe I7lh day of
Jaly, 1862,lo reduce that punishment, if courts
should see fit, to fine and imprisonment. Again,
it has been the usage of all nations, in peace as
well as war, to make the wrong-doers, even in
the most trivial trespass, respond out of his
property to the foil amount of the damages he
has committed; a practice and usage of
victorious governments in all ordinary ware—
and yet we have seen a patriot statesman, re
markable alike for bis age and the blessings of
education, culture and improvements he bad
conferred upon his State ana country—a states
man greatly eminent among his fellow-legisla-
tore, and, by common consent of successive Con
gresses, acknowledged as a leader and father
with a deference that neither Clay, For, the Pitts,
nor even Cicero had ever known. This noble
man we have seen assailed with a bitterness and
falsehood peculiar to tbe authors and leaders of
the rebellion, its pimps and apologists, and lor
what? Why, for proposing that a few ol those
who had been chiefly instrumental in filling the
land with war and mourning, and debt and taxa
tion, and who, like the late Secretary ol rebel
finances, bad made millions by blockade running
and by speculating upon the general distress,
should, out of their princely estates, contribute
one-tenth of tbe damages they had done, and at
tbe same time expressly exempting from penalty
all tbe great masses of those who bad been
drawn into tbe late war. This hu nane states
man also proposes not to punish any with that
extreme rigor usual iu civil wars, and not even
to the extent exacted by every European nation
in ordinary foreign wars. Was such moderation
and clemency ever before so.abused and insult
ed? May this grandest old statesman of onr
country and age still continue to strive, notwith
standing the advance of years and disease, and
may we yet be guided by his wisdom and benefi
cence, until tbe great questions now pending be
decided in tbe interest of peace, progress and
freedom. 1
“ I regret, gentlemen, that I cannot encourage
r ou with the hope of a short or light session, as
am informed by tbe District Attorney that your
labors may be considerable.
“ The unmitigated disloyalty which animates
so large a portion of our newspaper press, is pro
ducing sad effects upon the public morals, espe
cially in creating a disposition, by fraud and per
jury, to escape taxation necessary for tbe support
ot tbe Government, in encouraging the circula
tion of counterfeit money, and, it is to be feared,
the anxiejy to vote at the approaching elections
by persons engaged in the late rebellion, is about
to produce an immense amount ot labor tor our
grand juries.
“ On this subject 1 may have occasion to ad
dress you more at length on a future occasion.
“ Your attention is particularly called to an
abuse which had assumed an alarming aspect
in this city, as a relic of the old barbarism ot
slavery. 1 mean the brutal rejection of a great
laboring and useful class of tbe people from the
streetcars. Under the act of Congress common
ly called tbe Civil Rights bill, there is an un
doubted remedy for suck outrages. Chartered
transportation companies owe impartial duties
to tbe public, and tbe gross wrongs complained
of deserve your indignant reprobation. 1 know
tbe matter has been arranged by the command
ing General, with his usual great prudence and
judgment; but it is, from its nature, a mere tem
porary settlement, and needs confirmation by
tbe legal sanction of courts and juries. I only
ask that you add your weight to what has been
so well and wisely done by the General. It any
of your number know of any violation of law,
it is your duty to report it to the body, which
should always be sixteen in number, and the as
sent of twelve is required to find a true bilk
The charge having been concluded, the Judge
instructed the jury to re-assemble this morning
at 11 o’clock, and ordered the crier to close tbe
court.”
As the crier ceased, tbe grand jury, white and
negroes, hustled out, followed by the Judge, and
the citizens dispersed.
In the course of some conversation with a
newspaper correspondent, Judge Underwood
stated that the court he was about to bold was
the Circuit and not the District Court
The grand juryman, Cornelius Liggon Harris,
is the negro shoemaker who has a shop on Fifth
street, near St. James’ Church. John Oliver is
Governor Pierpont’s newly-appointed negro No
tary Public. Harris seemed as pleased as Punch
at his seat on the jury along with “the immortal
Botts,” and it would have delighted Mrs. Stowe’s
heart to see the sweet and complete fraterniza
tion ot Caucassian and the ebo-shin. This is
the first occasion in the history of the world
when negroes composed a part ot a grand jury.
The Judge, in his charge, gives the credit of the
negro selections to his marshals, but it will be
difficult to make tbe world believe that they
were not dictated by the learned Judge himself.
Further from the Plains.
A dispatch from Fort Laramie of the 29th
April says:—The Indians have surrendered
Horse Shoe, and hard fighting is going on. The
telegraph line west will probably play out
shortly.
The Denver News has further particulars of
the burning of Lookout Station, from Fort Hayes.
It says:
A detachment of soldiers went on to bury the
bodies of the three meu butchered at Lookout,
and to see what further damage had been done.
The three men belonging to tbe station were
found lying on tbeir faces side by side, in front
of the ruins of their station. Their bodies were
burned and contracted into horrible shapes—one
of them was shot in the breast, and the others
appear to have been stabbed in the ribs with
knives. One of them only was scalped.
The trail followed along the route past several
stations. At Stony Hollow, next this side of
Lookout, they had appeared, aud tried to gain
admittance. They are said to number some
sixty or seventy at that station, and claimed to
be very friendly, showing their treaty to gain ad-,
mittance, but the whites refused to let them in.
At Chalk Bluff they also appeared, some six or
seven hundred ot them, and trid to get in, but.
were also refused admittance; they carried on a
conversation with the men at the station for a
long time until by some accident a pistol was
discharged inside, at which the Indians became
frantic; they rushed away from the house a lit
tle ways, took off their blankets, &c., put on their
war paint, and returned yelling and thirsting for
blood; they called out to the party inside, daring
them to come out and fight. " Fight, fight a
heap,” being their most frequent cry.
There was a coach there, and they cut the
boot off and some ot the trappings; there was
also a wagon with some provisions in it, and the
white men finally compromised by giving them
four sacks of flour and a keg of molasses. The
Indians filled all their canteens and found there
was some left, and returned to the house and
wauted a receipt for it At this station, or near
it, they killed a mule. All the stock between
Big Creek and Monument station has been
bunched at two points for better security.
Imposing on tlao Freedmeq,
We copied from one of our Georgia exchanges
a few days ago a paragraph in relation to a fel
low named Stanfot, who was going through the
country imposing upon the freedmen by giving
them, for a small consideration in money, certi
ficates for forty acres of land. We find tbe fol
lowing in relation to his operations in Soath
Carolina in the Orangeburg Time*. The scoun
drel ought to be overhauled and made an exam
ple of, though he is only reducing to practice pie
fraud which his file-leaders teach:
We learn from Mr. J. J. Woodward, who fur
nished us the information we published two
weeks ago concerning the swindler signing him*
self A. stanfot, that this reliable friend of the
freedmen took his departure from St. Matthews
a few days ago, having pocketed in his travels
$500. He is said to have been very successfiil
down on the Santee. Some of the colored peo
ple in Mr. Woodward’s neighborhood having
paid tbeir money, came to town on Monday to
take their choice of the farms, but if there were
any farms distributed, they didn’t see them, and
consequently, they appreciate Mr. Stanfot’s dis
interested kiudness very highly. They were
told by this disciple of freedom and universal
equality, that Africa and France had bought tbe
Southern States (from Sumner and Stevens we
suppose) for distribution among a more worthy
race than has heretofore owned them, and, in
fact, that the year ofjubilee had come for the
colored "folks. Mr. Woodward’s informer said
that he refused then to have anything to do with
it, for he knew if the white people were to be
turned "out, there was war in it, and he had seen
enough of that kind of thing. If the colored
people will only profit by this experience, they
will not have paid too dearly for their whistles.
And while upon this subject, we would men
tion that we have learned from the freedmen
here that a system of fraud and terrorism is be
ing practiced upon some of them for the purpose
of controlling tbeir votes. They are told that
they will be put iu the penitentiary, if they do
not* vote in a certain way. They are destined to
be imposed on by eveiy mode of deceit and
falsehood.
A Springfield (Massachusetts) paper states
that a man went the other day to a bank in
that city to draw $6,000 he had on deposit,
and was astounded on being informed that
there was not, all told, that much in. bank.
He was given a “certificate of deposit” in hen
of the cash.
Bibb County.—The Macon Journal and Me*-
•eager says it is rumored that Mr. Elijah Bond,
and Mr. C. T. Ward, are two of the board of
commissioners, or agents appointed for the coun
ty-ot Bibb; the third is not known, but is sup
posed to be, or will be, a gentleman of color.
Marietta.
A correspondent writing to the Augusta Con-
*Ututionatut from the above town, says of it:
MARIETTA IN JUNE, 1865.
This beautiful village must have been one of
the saddest sights imaginable, at the above pe
riod, to one who had known it in the flash and
hey-day of its ante bellum loveliness, and before
war’s cruel Angers had left such a dreadful im
print npon its once fair and smiling face A
gentleman who walked from Atlanta to see what
was left of his home, tells me that not a man,
woman or child, and scarcely a horse, cow, goat,
or even dog, was to be seen for hours at a time,
amid the blackened ruias ot the square. Only
the Masonic Hall, back of six tenments, was
standing, and tbe only place approaching tbe
dignity of a “store” was a little sbanty down
near the railroad, where the few citizens would
gather late in tbe afternoons to hear what news
there might be, and whisper dire prophecies of
the future. Wheat and com grew wild in the
woods, in the spots where the different camps
and wagon yards had been, and was gathered at
harvest time. There was nothing on hoof to
molest it
Now, though, the scene is changed; more than
a score of business houses are tound, and tbe
few Sherman sentinels still on guard look down
on a busy, hopeful people, hard at work. I no
ticed near the railroad a five-story brick flouring
mill, nearly ready io commence operations. It
will turn out about two hundred and fitly barrels
of flour per diem, and can load the freight boxes
from its doors.
THE FEDERAL CEMETERY,
About hall a mile East of tbe town will be,
When completed, one of the handsomest places
of the kind in the South. About 150 white and
black laborers are employed at fifteen dollars
per month and rations, making about twenty
dollars per month, each. Many tnoTe have been
employed since the inauguration of the work in
September, but I was not able to learn the cause
of the reduction. Our “Uncle” is said to be
slow in his payments, however, and that may
account for it. Up to this date, 5,292, dead
bodies have been re-interred here—gathered from
the region of country between the Etowah river
and Jonesboro, on the Macon and Western Rail
road.
GEORGIA MILITARY ACADEMY.
One solitary pillar* pleading with mute elo
quence amid the ruins of what was ouce the
spacious academic hall, aud the sinoke-stained
walls of the brick building formerly occupied
by the professors, mark the sight of this once
flourishing school. Even tbe turf in the beauti-
tul parade ground is being cut and carried away
to beautify tbe Federal cemetery.
Grand old Kennesaw looks mournfully down
on a scene once teeming with busy life, and re
sonant with tbe happy voices of the flower of
Georgia’s youth. Alas! their hones are resting
on every battle-field from the Potomac to the
Gulf; but, thank God for the proud thought,
“ On Fame’* eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread.
And Glory guard*, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.*’
Hard by these ruins is the cemetery for the
Confederate dead, neatly enclosed, and with
headboards telling the name, rank, company and
regiment of each silent sleeper. Woman’s heart
has devised, and her dear finger done all that
poverty would allow to honor the dust of those
who died for what they considered the cause of
right and the country. Who shall say that, at
the last great day, these “traitors” shall not
form a line as near the Throne as the “ heroes ”
rd<5 “martyrs” who rest, with such pomp, on
a neighboring eminence ?
We recognize in the above the pen of our ac
complished friend A. W. Reese, Esq, who is
It was the opinion of the Supreme Coart in the
earlier days of the Republic—and we may add,
without fear of contradiction, in the purer days
ot tbe Republic—as rendered by it in the case of
“Chisolm v*. Georgia,” seventy-five years ago,
that “a State does not owe its origin to the Gov
ernment of the United States in the highest or
any of its branches,” tor the resson, that it, a
State, “was in existence before it,” the Govern
ment—the State deriving “its authority from the
same pure and sacred source as itself, the volun
tary and deliberate choice of the people.” This
opinion—decision in fact—of the Court in that
day and time, and until very recently, was held
by all patriotic parties, jurists learned in the law,
and statesmen of tbe land, to be sound doctrine,
to “o’er step which,” on the part of any author
ity, or individual, has been esteemed presump
tion of no ordinary character. If the doctrine
was orthodox then, it should be so now. If the
Supreme Court of the United States then ren
dered a just decision, that decision is a just one
to be rendered now. But a great change has
come o’er tbe land since that decision was made.
Tbe Supreme Court, which has hitherto been
esteemed one of the co-ordinate departments of
the Government, whose decisions the two other
departments, it was assured, were bound to re
spect, is now declared by the party in power to
be a mere creature of Congress, whose behests it
is bound to obey, else it will be obliterated from
its place in, and the power bestowed upon it by,
the Constitution, taken from it,or so changed in its
individual members, as to make it conform to that
party’s edicts. But a few days ago, in the
presence of a large assemblage of freedmen
and others, the humiliating spectacle of a
United States Senator deriding and threat
ening this great jndicial tribunal, was witnessed
and heard in this city. The effort to cast con
tempt upon tbe court, was worthy the radical
Senator who made iL It was a brazen avowal
of tbe assumptions of his party to make Con
gress the supreme power in the land, in disregard
of all that is written in the Constitution, and to
establish instead of the constitutional republi
can government under which our forefathers
lived and bequeathed to their posterity, a radical
democratic government, subject to the absolute
control of a congressional majority, thus with
drawing from the government all stability, all
security; making it subject to vicissitudes and
changes which must necessarily destroy confi
dence in it, and bring about financial and com
mercial revulsions which must retard the prosper
ity of the land and render it contemptible abroad
among ail civilized nations. Under such a gov
ernment, one subject to so many changes by
reason ot the popular elections, there will be no
security for the rights of the minority, either in
regard to property or political privileges, and
certainly none for State* as such. These do not,
in the estimation of such radical leaders as Sen
ator Wilson, if we understand him, and we judge
by what he uttered, owe their origin “ to the
voluntary and deliberate choice of the people,”
but, contrary to the decision ot the Supreme
Court, in the case above referred to, to the gov- nQW ^ in the interest of the journal to
ernment, which is now the Congress of the Urn- which hia letter addresse d.
ted States, or the party ruling in that national
council. To what, then, is the Government tend
ing—to what the State* f Are we living to see
the three separate and distinct departments of
the Government—the Executive, the Legislative,
and tbe Judicial—consolidated into one; tbe
State* obliterated—and all power vested in Con
gress ? If so, be it so, but that will be a fearful
day in the history of the American Republic,
when the great change shall take place. The
history of the “rise, progress, and fall” of the
American Republic; of constitutional govern
ment ; we may live then to see written.
M Release of Mr. Da via.
The telegraph tells us of the release of Mr.
Davis from militaiy custody, his arrest upon a
bench-warrant from the United States District
Court for Virginia, and bis immediate release
upon bail for $100,000, to appear before the same
court in November next, to answer to the charges
embraced in the “ True Bill ” found at Norfolk
against him some months ago. We refer the
reader to our telegraphic column for all the par
ticulars now in our possession concerning this
important event, and to offer to them our heart
felt congratulations at its occurrence. To his
counsel, who have stood by him so faithfully,
and who have at last accomplished the release
of the distinguished prisoner, and to those gen
tlemen from th'e North especially who have be
come bail for him, the Southern people of whom
he was but the representative, will ever feel
grateful. For the present we have no more to
say.
Aaolher Important Event,
The telegraphic wires which bring the news
of the release of Mr. Davis, bring also the intel
ligence that the Supreme Court of the United
States, at Washington, has decided that it has
no jurisdiction In the case of Georgia vs. Stanton
and others, submitted through counsel by Gov
ernor Jenkins to that court. Here are two most
important events occurring the Bame day, and at
the same hour almost, the one at the National,
and the other at the Virginia capital, either of
which events will fill a volume of Histoby in
the future. Enough for the present, bat more
anon.
Supreme Court—The Declilae.
The country is waiting somewhat impatiently.
for the rendering of the decision of the Supreme
Court in the Georgia and Mississippi injunction
case, and consequently everything from the di
rection of the national capital bearing upon the
subject is gobbled up with avidity. At first the
opinion prevailed at Washington that the court |
would get rid of the question by ignoring juris
diction on the ground of its political character.
But a different impression now seems to be ob
taining, which, quite naturally, intensifies the
anxiety to hear the result. The usually correct
correspondent of the Charleston Courier sends
his paper some information on the subject, which,
though perhaps partially speculative, is more
plausible than much that has already been pub
lished. The letter is dated the 6th instant, and
says: “ Those who thought a while ago that the
court would promptly dismiss the motion to file
the bills, now deem it a doubtful matter. Next
Saturday, the 11th, will be the consultation day,
and the opinion of the majority of the court, and
dissenting opinions, if any there should be, will
be prepared with great care and circumspection.
Upon so great a question, the most important
one that ever came came before the court, the
justices will be in no haste to form or express
opinions. The decision of the court will not be
rendered till a fortnight from to-day. Some who
arefamiliar with the political antecedents of the
Chief Justice think that he will decide in favor
of entertaining the question. If he should main
tain the jurisdiction of the court in the case,
there cannot be much doubt that the court will
pronounce the militaiy acts to be unconstitu
tional, and will enjoin the officers of the govern
ment against its execution.
The acts themselves, and all proceedings un
der them, will be null and void.
In response to the suggestion that the progress
of reorganization and restoration will be thus ar
rested, and that the Radical party will be left
with its two-thirds power in Congress, it is confi
dently maintained by some that the booth would
lose nothing by it \p the end. The South, says
some of its friends, most wait It will be ulti
mately better for it and for the North to preserve
the Constitution intact.” _
Fayette Cssslj.
A letter to the Intelligencer from Fayette
states that there is some rust in the wheat in
portions of-that county, and if it should be gen
eral destitution will be increased to an alarming
extent. The writer adds that it is alarming j
already, and but contributions have been |
The Indebtedness of the States.
The New York Times thus sums up a long ar
ticle from the Financial Chronicle on this sub
ject :
As to the State debts, the Financial Chronicle
of this city has taken pains to construct, from
reports of'local officials, a comparative statement
ot the amounts owing, respectively, in 1860 and
1866. The comparison embraces thirty-two
States, whose aggregate indebtedness shows an
increase ot $96,304,881. In 1860 they owed
$255,849,709; in 1866 $352,154,590. Tbe debt
of the State ot New York has grown from $84,-
182,975 to $51,753,082. Massachusetts presents
a larger proportionate increase, having advanced
from $7,175,978 to $25,555,747. Connecticut,
which in 1860 owed a modest $50,000, now
staggers under $10,000,000; New Hampshiie,
which six years ago thought $82,148 debt enough,
new submits patiently to $4,169,818; Rhode Is
land and Vermont, which formerly did not owe
a dollar, now have liabilities, respectively, of
$3,626,500 and $1,567,500.
In the West, Wisconsin has arisen from $100,-
000 to $2,282,191; Iowa from $322,296 to $622,-
296; Missouri from $23,923,000 to $37,145,928.
Of the Border States, Tennessee is the most
heavily encumbered, its debt having swelled from
$16,643,666 to $25,277,347. The war debts of
tbe Southern States were wiped out with the
cause they espoused, and their increase of debt
is, therefore, with one or two exceptions, for tbe
most part confined to the accumulation of over
due interest. The'debt of Alabama has risen
from $5,048,000 to $6,304,972; that of Florida
from $383,000 to $638,863; that of Louisiana
from $10,023,903 to $13,357,999; that of North
Carolina from $9,129,505 to $11,433,000; that of
Virginia from $33,248,141 to $45,119,741; while
the debt of Arkansas has grown but nominally,
and Texas, which was wont to print a simple nil,
now confesses to $2,320,360.
Some of the States are enabled to boast of
diminished indebtedness. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
and Pennsylvania belong to this category. The
explanation’ is, that in these instances the war.
expenditures were met principally by the muni
cipalities, of whose indebtedness .we have no
account. That these debts are large may be in
ferred from the honorable part, which these States
played in the conduct ot the war, and the lavish
expenditures with which their names are asso
ciated. Even in States whose indebtedness bas
increased, formidable liabilities have been sepa
rately incurred by their cities and towns. Thus,
while the State of New York has enlarged its
debt to the extent of $17,570,107, the city of
New York has also added ten millions ten its
debt, and other municipalities in the State have
experienced corresponding additions.
The
It «u Re
raised up to this time.
We have heard of indications of rust iu other ^ -- ukms, sou w** sever uwwu *u
portions of ihfi State, but trust the disease will! go hack on his whisky. Worth twenty thousand
not prevail to a great extent. • dollars.
by urging Johnston to fight on Friday or Satur
day. Johnston replied. “Your dispatch bas
been received; and your suggestion will be com
plied with.” . But what may be terated an ac
cident prevented the carrying out* of this plan,
and saved Grant’s army. There was a large
open marsh between Corinth and the Federal
position. The shortest way to tbe intended
battle-field lay through the marsh. The engi
neers of the Rebel army, after a careful survey,
reported that the arfiilery could be hauled across
this route; but after the first division had -gone
through the roads were so badly cut up as to be
impassable for the rest. Another road had to
be selected, and the march of the entire army
had to be changed. This delayed matters so
much that the rebels were not ready to open the
battle until Sunday morning, which, though
a little too early for our side f.oved quite too
late for them. There haye been various state
ments of the causes of Sidney Johnston’s failure
to attack Grant before Sunday morning, hot I
am convinced the one I have just given is
correct.
Bachelors’ Bulletin.
A New York Sunday paper publishes a bache
lors’ bulletin for the information of the young
ladies. Here are a few specimens:
Hamilton Fish, Jr., East Twenty-Second street,
son of Ex-Governor Fish. He is a tall and
gwaky looking fellow of about twenty-three.—
Thinks himself a lady killer; but has not quite
broken the young lady’s heart in East Twenty-
Second street, income, five thousand dollar?.
Another is thus photographed: * .
John Allaire Rockwell, resides at the Bre-
voort House, considered very handsome in-tbe
dark. Thought to be a dangerous youth on ac
count of his splendid baritone voice and natural
teeth. One ot the best amateur billiard players
in town. Has an income, as per last internal
revenue, of seventeen thousand dollars.
And here we have a-third-:
Dr. B. A. Clements of Greenwich avenue, is
about forty years of age, tall, good looking, and
very fond ot' the ladies; prefers widows. Heavy
on the “ Black Croak,” and was never known to
Battle of Blilloli—R'hy
laved.
“Mack,” the correspondent of the Cincinnati
Commercial, bas met in Nashville a Colonel
Morgan, who represents himself as, during the
war. a prominent officer of the Confederate
secret service, and from whom he gets the fol
lowing cause of General Johnson’s delay iu
bringing on the battle of Shiloh r
When General A. S. Johnson was forced to
evacuate Nashville, and was about to concen
trate for the battle of Shiloh, he sent Colonel
Morgan to Huntsville to'watch the movement
of Buell, and to let him know in time so that he
could strike Grant before Buell joined him. A
few days before tbe battle of Shiloh, Morgan
telegraphed to Johnson at Corinth that Buell
had crossed Duck river with 38,400 men; that
he had lost 400 men by sickness and exposure
on the succeedingtwenty miles’ march and that
he would reach Pittsburgh Landing at furthest
on Saturday night. He concluded the dispatch desire to embark to Brazil seems to be on the in-
Hre Title*.
Reports have been received from the coun
ties and registration districts of Virginia South
of James river, which furnish conclusive evi
dence of the conciliatory manner in which the
inhabitants are receiving the officers and assist
ing them in the preliminary measures of the re
construction bill This feeling among the peo
ple is general and even those disqualified by the
bill ha'-" in many cases proffered tbeir assistance
and in pressed upon their neighbors the actual
necessity and policy of non-interference with the
registration of the duly qualified voters. The
utmost good feeling exists toward the colored
people now that the question of their suflrage is
no longer unsettled.
The Dubuque Herald says that whole fields
of grain in Western Iowa have been stripped of
their crops by immense flocks of pigeons. One
farmer residing two mile East ot Independence
had sown three acres of wheat, and was prepar
ing to harrow it in, when the pigeons made their
appearance and gobbled up every kernel before
.he could get it covered Some fields containing
forty acres were absolutely covered with pigeons,
and although the sportsmen waged an incessant
warfare against them, and killed great numbers,
their places were soon supplied with others.
There was a large meeting of negroes in
Richmond on the night of the 6th instant. They
were addressed by Mr. Haywood, of Massachu
setts, and Mr. Marsh, of Virginia. Both favored
confiscation.
It is a little* singular that the question of
the Fort Buford massacre cannot be settled. It
was alleged to have occurred several months
ago, and the same doubts hang aionnd the report
now as when first started. A late dispatch from
Omaha stamps the story as a base fabrication.
The Nashville Union & Dispatch deprecates
the sending of such men as Wilson and Kelley
to speechify through the country. It says: Pass
your savage and proscriptive edicts, and let tbe
sword, in the hands of soldiers, glimmer before
our eyes. We can understand what you mean.
But in Heaven’s name, spare us from the spout
ings of the Natick cobbler, aud “ sich.” Let
your malice take any shape but that. We pray
you, let that cup pass.
The President has telegraphed General Sheri
dan not to close the registration on the 15th, as
he proposed to do, but to await the decision of
the Attorney General.
It is now stated that Chief Justice Chase will
preside at the trial of Jeff. Davis, on the ad
journment of the Supreme Court.
Washington specials of the 8th report two
of the Richmond papers suppressed, the Exami
ner and Times, indicted for writing treason and
rebellion. Both of these papers of the 7th are
on our table, and we suspect the Washington
specials have not told the truth.
Wendell Phillips has been re-elected Pre
sident of the American Anti-Slavery Society.
It is estimated that in the counties of Halifax.
Spot tsylvania, Franklin and Henry, Virginia,
and Rockingham and Caswell, North Carolina
the tobacco now on hand is worth $12,000,000,
and the crop of Spottsylvania alone is placed at
$3,000,000
A prize fight came off a few days ago in
Bergen county. New Jersey, between William
Kelly and John Brady; one hundred and eigh
teen rounds were fought scientifically. The
fight lasted three hours and ten minutes, and
both men pummelled badly, when a general
fighi among the spectators took place, and the
referees withdrew.
A company of colored soldiers left Philadel
phia last December, to settle in Liberia, and have
arrived at their new home. They are delighted
with it, and advise their friends to join them
Another company is to start in a few days.
A Washington dispatch to the Cincinnati
Commercial says: “ The President is being peti
tioned by fcitizens oi Tennessee to disarm the
ntilitia in that State, by directing that the ten
thousand stand of arms furnished by a resolu
tion of Congress be placed in arsenals, in lieu of
being kept in what they term “ active service.”
Unless this is done, it is declared that there will
be civil war in that State.”
The High Private is the name of a monthly
magazine to be published soon at St. Louis.—
We very much fear it will die for want of
support, as we seldom see a high private these
days. Since the surrender all of them have been
promoted, and now we hear nothing except,
“ How are yon, General ? or Colonel, Major,
and Captain
The notorious Sam McKee, the Radical can
didate for Congress, in the ninth district of Ken
tucky, was defeated by his Democcatic competi
tor, by over one thousand majority.
A. J. Dougherty, for some years connected
with the Louisville newspapers, has been com
missioned as a Lieutenant in the’ regular army.
Seventy thousand Germans, it is said, have
engaged passage by steamer to the United States
The new Prussian conscription laws are driving
many out of the country.
The Reform demonstration at Hyde Park,
London, on the 7tb, is said to have numbered
over one hundred, thousand persons. Sir Robert
Walpole’s proclamation that the assembly was
illegal proved utterly abortive. The morning
papers announced that tbe government would
not attempt to put down the meeting, but all the
troops in London and vicinity were under arms,
and a large force of police was concealed in a se
cluded part of the Park, and vehicles were kept
ready to convey them to any point in case of
riot
It is stated that General Schofield has sus
tained the order ot General Wilcox, prohibiting
H. Rives Pollard from delivering his lectnre on
the chivalry of the Soath.
In Hartford, Conn., a gentleman is said to
have made to order a veritable wooden nutmeg,
Grom the bark of tbe Charter Oak, which is so
good an imitation th it it actually deceived a
dealer in tbe article, who offered the market
price for a cargo ot that sort.
The Mobile papers say that in Alabama the
A , , h , protwiaat i The Secretary was iSsfcfficted to have the pro-
OlMMaa Convention of »• Froie***** f the Convention printed.
tXCUiu 6 iVmmiltPA fin A
Bflseofl Cktrck
[encut TO THE INTELLIGENCER. ]
Macon, Ga., May 9,1867.
The Convention of tbe Protestant Episcopal
Church for the Diocese ot Georgia, met this
morning. The religious services preceding the
organization, were conducted by Rev. Messrs.
Thomas, Rees, Williams, Henderson, and Han
son. The last named gentleman preached the
opening sermon of the Convention. Its conclu
sion was a merited tribute to tbe late gifted and
lamented Bishop Elliott.
CLERICAL DELEGATES. “ •
Rev. M. H. Henderson, D. D.,
Rev. C. A. Grant,
Rev. J. J. Hunt,
Rev. S. J. Pinkerton,
Rev. J. T. Pryse,
Rev. H. Kollock Rees,
Rev. C. W. Thomas,
Rev. W. C. Williams.
Tbe certificates ot lay delegates were called
for and read. They were ordered to be referred
to a Committee on Credentials. The Secretary
appointed as the committee Rev. Messrs. Rees,
Clarke, and Benedict.
The committee reported tbe credentials cor-
The roll of the lay delegates was called, and
the following answered to tbeir names:
LAY DELEGATES PRESENT.
Christ Church, Savannah—Messrs. Wm. P. Hunter and
W. W. Lincoln. , T „
SL John's, Savannah—Aetata. Wm. S. Bogart, J. K.
Johnson, and John Guerard.
St. Pauls, Augusta—Uessrs. Benjamin Conley, and
Charles Baker.
Church of the Atonement, Augusta—Dr. C. C. Pritchard,
Dr. Ben. Halt, and Mr. Joseph Marshall.
Christ Church, Macon—Judge Cole, Messrs. N. C. Man
Rev. Samnel Benedict.,
Rev. E. P. Brown,
Rev. Wm. H. Clarke,
Rev. C. H. Coley,
Rev. J. C. Elliott,
Rev. J. Harden George,
Rev. W. H. Harison,
crease, and that a very respectable colony will
leave Mobile in a few weeks for that country.
The New York Herald says: The military
are not in the South to take away or obstruct
the constitutional rights of the people. They
are there only to preserve the peace and to see
that the reconstruction acts of Congress be not
impeded in their operation. There is no despo
tism intended in these acts, and we advise both
the officers in command in the South and the
people hot to look at them m any other light.
The radicals are beginning to pick holes in
General Grant’s military coat. His offense con
sists in having declined to identify himself with
their party.
The Nashville papers state that the frost on
Tuesday night was sufficiently sharp in places
to cut down new beans, and to damage early
vegetables very considerably;
The United States officers took possession on
- Saturday last of six distilleries situated on James
River, below Richmond, for alleged violations of
the revenue law.
With regard to the comparative fertility of
England, France and the United States, it is sta
ted that France obtains fifty percent more wheat
from the acre than the average crop of the Uni
ted States,■and England one handled per cent
mare. The reason of this is said to be superior
cultivation and manuring.
The expected spring “rush” has not come in
New York. 'All descriptions of dry goods, ex
cept bleached goods and fashionable prints, are
still dedining, and the best informed expect still
further decline. ’ ••
The fate Legislature of Virginia passed over
four hundred acts. A Richmond paper says it
is a comfort to knew that the late Assembly ot '
New Y ork passed eight hundred and six.
roe, and J. N. Whittle.
St. Philip's, Atlanta—Messrs. Jame* Ormond, and
Samnel Hape.
Trinity, Columbus—Meters. Robert Murdock, and Ro
bert Carter.
St. George's, GrWf«L-Mc*sr*. Levin Mitchell, E. Gif
ford, and F. K. Bridges.
Emanuel, Athens—R. D. Moore, and R. L. Bloomfield.
St. Mark's, Brunswick—Mr. P. M. Nightengale.
St. Stephen's. MilledgeviUe—Messrs. John J. Thomas,
and James S. Holme*.
St. Paul's, Albany—Ut. Troup Butler.
St. James', Marietta—Messrs. Wm. Root, Samnel Law
rence, and N. M. Cook.
St. Peter's, Rome—Dr. H. M. Anderson, Messrs. J. E.
Veal, and Robert C. Fonte.
Church of the Redeemer, Greensboro’—Mr. John. C.
Barnwell.
St. Andrew's Parish, Darien—Dr. S. Keenan, and Mr.
P. M. Nightengale.
St. Mark's, La Grange—Messrs. C. H. C. Willingham,
and James S. Walker.
There being no Bishop to preside, Rev. Mr.
Harison was unanimously chosen President
Rev. W. C. Williams was re-elected Secretary,
and Rev. C. H. Coley, Assistant Secretary.
The President then appointed the following
Standing Committees:
Committee on State of the Church—Reverends Benedict,
Henderson, Rees, Clarke, and Thomas.
Admission of New Parishes—Reverends Elliott, and
Hunt, and Messrs. Anderson, Hall, and Whittle.
On Unfinished Business—Reverend Hunt, and Messrs.
Baker, and Lincoln.
On Finance—Messrs. Hunter, J. R. Johnson, Conley,
Monroe, and Nightengale.
After the organization, and the appointment
of the usual business committees, resolutions re
lative to the death of Bishop Elliott, offered by
Rev. Mr. Rees, were adopted, and the Conven
tion adjourned to the hour of morning service
to-morrow.
The general impression seems to be, that the
number of clergy and lay delegates is larger in
the present Convention than in any former one.
This is owing, in part, to the interest felt in the
election of a Bishop of the Diocese ot Georgia,
which is expected to take place to-morrow or
next day. No reliable conclusion can be arrived
at yet as to the result. Tbe names of Rev. Mr.
Beckwith, of New Orleans, and the Missionary
Bishops of Arkansas and Oregon are spoken of
most prominently, thus far, in connection with
the selection.
An annoying question is likely to be up for
action, springing out of the application of St.
Stephens’ Church, of Savannah, organized of
colored persons, for admission. Wbat action
will be taken is uncertain. I will apprise you if
the question should be brought up for decision.
H.
Macon, Ga., May 10,1867.
The proceedings in the Convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church have not presented
much to-day of general interest to your readers.
The election of a Bishop still occupies a great
part of the thoughts and conversation of the
members. So far as can be judged, the proba
bilities seem to be greater for the choice of Rev
Mr. Beckwith, of New Orleans, than of any
other of the many who have been spoken of
from time to time.
The same delegates were present as the day
previous, with the addition of Dr. Camak, of
Athens; Mr. B. B. deGraffenreid, of MilledgeviUe;
Mr. Jones, of Augusta ; Mr. Beers, of Albany;
Mr. Baker,ot Cave Spring; Mr. Benjamin Green,
of Dalton; and Rev. Mr. McCauley, of ^.lbany.
A church recently organized at Sparta, and
one at Dalton, which had made application for
that purpose, were to-day admitted. The ap-,
plication of St. Stephen’s Church, Savannah,
was withdrawn.
Several reports of committees were made.—
A concise statement was read of the official acts
of the late Bishop of Georgia, and of Bishop
Wilmer, of Alabama, during his recent visit in
this Diocese, which will appear in thd published
journal ot the Convention.
Certain amendments to tbe Constitution,
adopted by the last Convention, were taken up
and ratified.
A canon that had been proposed for giving
greater efficiency to the missionaiy operations in
the State, was postponed till the next annual
Convention.
By resolution, so much of the sermoD of Rev.
Mr. Harison as relates to the lite and services of
the late Bishop Elliott, was directed to be pub
lished with tbe minutes of the Convention.
Tbe Convention instructed the Standing Com
mittee, by resolution, to take measures for tbe
erection of a suitable monument in memory of
the late Bishop of Georgia.
As preliminary to tbe election of a new. Bish
op, resolutions were adopted expressing the opin
ion of the Convention that he should not lie op
pressed with any official cares other than those
of tbe Episcopate, and pledging the Diocese for
an adequate support
A Committee was appointed consisting of five
laymen to assess the churches for the purpose of
raising an adequate salary, and Messrs. Johnson,
Jones, Ormond, White, and. Camak were ap
pointed by the President of tbe Convention.
The hour of 12 M. to-morrow, Saturday, was
agreed upon as the time for receiving the report
of the Committee, to be followed by the election
of Bishop.
John R. Johnson was elected Treasurer of the
Diocese..
W. W. Lincoln, Treasurer ot the Missionary
Fond, and
Jas. Camak, Treasurer of the fund for the sup
port of tbe tbe Episcopate, and also Treasurer of
the University of the South.
Gov. Jenkins was elected Trustee of the Uni
versity of the South in of place Daniel Griffin, de
ceased.
Resolutions were adopted commendatory of
the University.
Alter the re-election of the Missionary Com
mittee of the past year, the Convention adjourn
ed till to-morrow morning at 8 o’clock. H.
Macon, Ga., May 11,1867.
The delegates assembled in' Christ Church, at
10 o’clock, a. m., pursuant to adjournment.
Morning prayer was read by Rev. Richard
Johnson, assisted by Rev. Charles II. Coley.
The Convention was called to order by tbe
President, and the roll called by the Secretary.
Tbe minutes of yesterday were read, amended,
and confirmed.
The reports of the Committees on the State of
the Church and Finance, were adopted.
The thanks ot the Convention were tendered
Bishop Wilmer for his services in this Diocese.
Christ Church, Savannah, was selected by the
I- Convention for its next annual convocation.
The report of the Committee on Assessments
for Bishop’s salary was received and adopted.
The following resolution was adopted:
ResoUed, That the Treasurer of the Diocese
he instructed to insure the life of the Bishop for
*10 000, for the benefit of his family.
T The former Standing Committee, with the ad
dition ot Rev. E. F. Hall, was elected viva voce.
Rev Mr. Clarke offered the following resolu
tion which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention
are hereby tendered Christ Church, Savannah,
for the efforts made for the support of the widow
and orphans of the late Bishop Elliott, and
pledging the efforts of the Convention in their
^The order of the day being the election of
Bishop was takeu up, which gave rise to con
siderable discussion among members as to the
rules ot voting, when it was finally decided that
the clerical members should vote first, and on
the announcement ot that vote, the lay delega
tions should then vote-each parish being enti
tled to but one ballot.
It was then moved and adopted that before
proceeding to a ballot, that the Convention
should indulge iu silent prayer for a space, at
the end of which the members should engage iu
singing the “Veni Creator Spiritus.”
Tlie°Chair then appointed Rev. Mr. Benedict
and Mr. Hunter as tellers of the clerical vote,
and Rev. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Nightingale
tellers for the lay vote.
Nominations were then dcclafed in order, and
Rev. John W. Beckwith, Rector ot Trinity
Church, New Orleans, and Rt. Rev. Thos. F.
Scott, Bishop of Oregon, were named as can
didates.
The result of the first ballot was the election
of Rev. John W. Beckwith to the office ot
Bisbop of tbe Diocease ol Georgia, and the
vote was then declared unanimous.
The “Gloria in Excelsis” was then sung, and
prayer offered by tbe Rev. Wm. II. Harrison,
President of the Convention.
The testimonial of the Bishop elect was then
read by the Secretary, and declared ready for
the signatures of tbe members of the Conven
tion, who thereupon signed it.
Rev. Mr. Williams offered the following reso
lution, which was adopted: •
Resolved, That the testimonial of the Bishop
elect be referred to tbe Standing Committee, and
that they be instructed to take all the steps di
rected by thecanons of the General Convention.
Rev. Mr. Clarke offered the following, which
was adopted:
Resolved, That the Missionary Committee be
instructed to issue a circular calling attention to
resolutions in reference to assessments for mis
sions, on pages 41 and 42, Journal of 18G6, aud
urging upon the Clergy and Parishes compliance
with the same.
A resolution was then adopted that the Presi
dent ot the Convention notify the Rev. Mr.
Beckwith of his election.
Judge Vuderwood’* Charge.
The charge of Judge Underwood to the jury
at Richmond, a copy of which we published
yesterday morning, is perhaps the most obnox
ious utterance that ever escaped the lips of a
man clothed with judicial robes and speaking
from his seat on the Bench, and ought to secure
for its author an immortality of infamy. The
English Jeffries, whose memory is a foul stench
in the nostrils of his posterity, never promulgated
anything half so infamous, or gave out such evi
dences of total depravity. Evil indeed are the
times when such men are called to dispense law
and justice, and fatal will it be if a popular sen
timent can be found to approve these emanations
of hate and prejudice.
The paragraph below is from the Richmond
Whig, a journal which has recently been ac
cused of Radical tendencies:
Underwood’s charge to his Grand Jury yes
terday will be found in our columns this morn
ing. We have no hesitation in saying that cer
tain of its allusions to this city are the most wan
tonly mendacious, and brutally libelous utter
ances that ever came from the bench of any civ
ilized country. They sink their author beneath
the fellowship of the lowest jail-birds. It’s im-
possiblato give expression to the scorn and con
tempt which every honorable man must feel for
the depravity of a heart that can engender cal
umnies so vile.
The National Intelligencer says ot the charge:
We publish this morning the remarkable
charge of Judge Underwood to the grand jury at
Richmond. There may be partisans who will
pronounce this an exhibition of nerve and man
liness ; but we are sorry for them as we are pro
foundly sorry that a judge of a court of the
United States found it comport with his ideas of
judicial impartiality and professional dignity to
deliver a political harangue from the bench
which we will not permit ourselves to character
ize in the terms it deserves. If the wholesale
vilification of an entire community was true, if
the tribute paid the notorious spokesman ot con
fiscation was deserved, there could be no possi
ble excuse for them coming from tbe lips of one
sworn to administer justice in the very court
over which be is called to preside. As it is, his
tory will take care of tbe man who has permit
ted the politician to absorb the judge, aud the
very enormity of the offense of one who thus
prostitutes the bench of justice to the base pur
pose of party should lift tbe people whom he
maligns above tbe affront he seeks to put upon
them, and should awaken an universal feeling of
indignation throughout tbe nation, whose honor
is assailed by the gross miscondnct of one of its
judicial representatives.
The New York World says of this extraordi
nary judicial fulmiuation:
It was our misfortune to print yesterday one
of the most disgraceful charges to a jury that
ever was uttered by an American .judge; wa
mean the charge of Judge Underwood to the
grand jury, at Richmond, on Wednesday. The
majority of our readers may have been tempted
to smile at it, forgetting that it was given to the
world as the deliberate, official utterance of a
judge of a United States District Court. Were
it labeled a stump speech instead of a judicial
charge, oue might afford to laugh at it; but, un-.
der tlje circumstances, the feelings it excites are
contempt for tbe speaker and unfeigned sorrow
that such a fellow is permitted to defile such an
office. A man who can so far prostitute his offi
cial position as to wreak upon a conquered peo
ple the weak •vengeance of his own babbling,
who can embody in what should be a solemn
charge to a jury praises of,an old party hack,
whose venom towards his opponents is as notori
ous as his unscrupulous use of means to attain
his end, and cau delame the entire community in
which Ills court is to sit, should have a seat be
side the Fishmongers’ Gate of London rather
than on the bench in Richmond. We choose to
repeat, in this connection, none of the language
employed by this man. The publication of his
charge once, and simply as a matter of news, is
as much as any ncwspape&of self-respect can be
expected to do.
The Suicide of. Judge Hlae.
The Louisville Courier says of Judge Hise,
who committed suicide a few days ago :
Judge Hise was intellectually one of tbe first
men of the State. Long recognized as such
where he was known, his career in the Thirty-
ninth Congress gave him a national reputation.
A stern and uncompromising devotee at the
shrine of principle, his bold and powerful ar
guments in behalf ot constitutional liberty, and
his fierce and scathing invective against the
venalities and corruption, the peijury find trea
son of Congress, were as if one ot the intellect
ual giants who reflected glory and honor upou
America in her palmiest days had risen from
the dead to warn the nation against the ruin
upon which it was drifting.
And now Hise is dead!—dead, too, by his
own hand, and at time when the shouts of his
friends over his most victorious return to Con
gress where yet ringing in his ears ! God help
the country when at such a moment a great
mind like his could be so impressed with its
peril as to be thrown off its balance, and in the
insanity of despair seek relief beneath the cere
ments of the tomb. No one may know the
terrible anguish through which this strong man
passed—this great and pure patriot—before it.
reached that culmination which unhinged his
intellect at tbe very moment when others in b’s
p’ace would have been filled with the exulta
tion of gratified pride. We ca,n imagine the
thought of the desperate condition to which
his beloved country was reduced' ever pressing
with its mountain weight upon the powerful but
excitable and impatient mind, nntil, at last, it
was goaded to madness; aud then that letter
was written, and tbe rash and fatal deed was
done.
“Negro” .or “Colored.”—Lucy Stone, the
famous abolitionist, does not like the term “col-,
ored” as applied to negroes, if we may judge
from the following paragraph which we find in
a late number of the Boston Commmeealth
By the way why do all Eastern editors use
the terms “universal,” “impartial” and “equal
suflrage,” When they only mean negro suffrage V
It seems to me it would be a great deal better
not to try to bide a dark skin or an unpop'nlar
client by such a use of word3 as necessarily
implies a falsehood; tor when only the negro is
meant, no ODe of the beautitul words “universal,”
“impartial,” or “equal” applies.
“A lie will keep it* throne a whole age longer.
If it skulk behind the shadow of some-fair seeming
name.” ,
Respectfully yours, Lucy Stone.