Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-23
A sCENEIN SOUTH CAROLINA.

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a SCENE ~ SOUTH CAROLINA.
We have not been 50 much struck for some
time past a. We have been by the description of 4
scene which tool! place on the 3Oth January. in
the Senate Of :. Carona.-We low q short sketch
of it before readers.
The Legislature OF the State held an extra SEES.
sion for the trial Of" William ID. james late one O!
the Judges Of the Court of Equity. and now one
OF the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and
Sessions" impeached for misdeneanors in Office.
The Judge was affirmed to have been for lon,r
! course oil years grossly Incorporate in the use Of
inebriating liquors, addicted 10 habitual excess
| therein, and TO have exhibited himself IN state
OF intoxcation and drunkenness highly unbccom-
ing anu indecent IN him as a man, and diSgraceful
TO his character as Judge. IL was charged
gaihSt t,m, as consequence Of this excess that
ne was not only prevented from acquiring by ex
peuence and study the legal at,ainments 90 ab-o-
lntely necessary to the proper discharge OF his iu
dlclai functions, but that he was disuraliied for
the performance OF any official duty whatsoever.
ihese charges were run out into various articles
embracing 50 nisly specifications of acts done OF
not done at different times Oh the bench of ms
lice.
The Judge was defended by VIM Preston, for
ner!y OF this State--butthe proof; were too strons
TO be resisted; and the Senate, after deliberatine
in closed doors upon the separate charges, found
him guilty on the LIST rticlc, by % TO 9-on the
I'd, by 81 to Ton the 18th, by 30 to 9--and on the
other two articles he was acquitted
when the sentence Of removal was TO be pro-
hounced IN public, the scene was extremely
touching. The House Of Representatives attend
cd. Judge James declined the offer, which had
been courteously made TO him, of being absent
When the sentence was pronounced; but he at
tended at the bar with his counsel, supported bv
Elf Starkc, the Secretary of State "a -oten nora
ry and fellow soldier e the Reyoiution) on the
one maud, and by his son on the other He came
agitated, trembling, s. lettering along When they
sS" chiyairous soldier of the Revolution, who
seo MS oiood Tor ms country, and a of sterling
integrity, brought so low by his infirnities and a
oo'' 10 be stript by the sentence of his country OF
he only means OF supporting himself and his
wretched family, the audience were deeply affect
eo, he President (Col. Pony pronounced
Judgment with tears IN his eyes; was there
senator or member VINO was not visibly 6 deepIy
affected. Several individuals wept audibly."
ne Trembling old man being asked what rea-
sons he had TO offer why Judgment should not be
pronounced against him-ro:1 20 the Senate the
following address:
g Mr. Presidential have served nv country
too long, not to be sensible of my duty. to submit
Sas well as may) TO this heavy stroke. could
nave wished that my old age had been spared this
a"!ul calamity, but Providence has thought pro-
per 10 Drlhg me through the varied and irving
scenes OF long life, TO this bitter period To tle
almighty, and to him alone, look for support and
cohsoiauon. pray him to bless and proSDeY mn
country, which, while it casts me off, cannot and
'uS' WIN iiot, oe disposed TO deprive me of the
cohsoiailons which result from consciousness, oli
good Intentions, and honest conduct in Office,
ms address, so well calculated 10 touch tIe
ieeHnSs OF all, drew tears from Vany of the Sena-
tors d. ring'and after its delivery. The sentence
was Then pronounced, and the Judge retired
immediately on resuming its ordinary functions
Alfred Hueer: y N-'
This Court in discharging the painful duty
imposed upon 1t by the Constitution Of the Senate
Oh ooGtn Carolina, having passed sentence of re-
hoVal IRON Office, upon the Hon VIM D. James
ieeiS 1t incumbent upon Itself, in Justice to the
Saiu WIN. d. James, publicly to declare their sin
cere conviction, that his character for honest in
tegrity as a man, has not been inpeacbed bv
this sentence And, in consideration of the re-
yoiutonary services of the said VIM. y. lanes he
il therefore "
ResolDed, That this Court recommend to both
branches of the Legislature that the said Wm ~
. aiiiSS' De authorised to draw the Treasurer of
tne upper Division, for the full amount of salary
aiready appropriated, up to the lst of January,
MIR: HuSer accompanied this resolution by sucb
an eNusIon oil pathetic eioquence, that we cannot
ioFoear laying 1T before our readers
" Mr. President have but few words to
say IN support OF the paper have had the honor 70
offer you. need not speak when the bcarts Of
ali have so eloquently spoken already; need not
appeal when every bosom IS filled to OVERLOOKING
with the appeal itself has made [ uecd not AL To-
the adoption ofthis Resolution because l,no,, tb.
men to WHOM il is submitted: | need not press II
ON you, because know that the sorrow the deen
hcart piercing sorrow, Of all who hear me b5s
seized uqon II already. IT'S carried Mr. presi
Us carried, not by the voice of my humble
S'i,--not by the feelings Of one whose heart is
SINKING under the pressure which rests upon it
us carried 10y the honor OF this House-the i'm,
pulse IS irresistible. see the vote of every mas,
streaming from his eyes-I see it in the conflict
IN every mans bosom; let him saw . No ,,,bo !;
more or less than man. let him saw No :, IL
mas forgotten the scene that has lust been consr,,
mated; who has forgotten the picture which has
lNSt neen exhibited! Sr,I call upon my friends who
I" dDout me- caii upon them 10 say for me what
am unable 10 utter for myself Mr. Presiden,
when think Of that unhappy man who has inst
departed when ] see him totterinp. ouiverinq
SINKING under the agOnizing beadnps OF a broken
u cart; when ! remember that he has louphf for
iIs country; when remember that his blood has
oeeh shcd Tor the purchase Of that verv libert,,
whch gives me power 70 condemn him; Sir. nv
leaIt iaulteTs when 1 turn upon the deed which
my own hand has done; I shrink beneath the sLadc !
d my own unworthinesS, and for a n,oinent-v,.-
ior more than moment, disown The act t,sft,s I
lurned INN upon the world thriftlcss and friend !
less! When lrcmelYber that the blood which l. !
no" gushing through hi- veins, is The very blood
m winch our constitution swriuen asI, il frirr,
'hantiy, where IS The man that calls Tor another
'soIG tPoH tue question: Sir, the Law must have
US victim, the Law has had is victm vetthe Al /
lar Is believed with the tears Of the very men viii,
have presided at the sacrifice. Sir, viii not VIC. /
ATE the feelings Of the House any longer bey I
warn me TO be done; leave the question iu:t !
where ought TO he; in your own hands! Look |
ng your God and your Country in The C.ce I eli /
Tor your decision"
DELIVERED as it was with great feeling; it was
.eceiyed with profound emotion. by tla Senate /
Yho adopted It by large majority. It passed tbe
'lnef House after some opposition, By vote Of ~
- CO.
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nalua5ie Estate for sale.