The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-26
Dressed In . little Brief Authority /.

IL
leans Judge McHenry Of Louisiana, was appointed by
he governor IN the face OF some strong remonsances
from men Oh MS own party. His outrageous conduct in
mpnsonng Mr. Soule for supposed contempt OF court
confirms all their objections. The feelings of every
man revolt with astonishment and Indignation at the
very idea OF man like Mr. Soue being imprisoned by
Judge like McHenry Mr. Soule is one of the most
eloquent and distinguished advocates in the Union.
Who that heard his speech in the last Senate of the
United States, did not glory in the man Who did
not regret his disappearance from that elevated theatre of
public affairs Who did not rejoice at his late election
and return to IL Who does not start with indignant
establishment at the idea of his being thrown into prison
And for what For alleged contempt of the court
that is to say after he was rudey silenced in the dis
charge OF his duties the bar and had been roughly Act
down by the court he returned the look of his arrogant
Iudge-as If (says the New Orleans "Republcan'o cat
may not look even upon king We copy description OF
the scene from the "New Orleans Courier:"
SCENE IN CorRr-The first district court was. yester-
day. the scene of exciting affair between Judge Nc Hem
ny and Mr.. Sone 1t seems that the Judge in OF
undue excitement construed look of Mr. Soue's into an
insult to the and remarked latter gentleman
Mr. Sonle short time after this incident rose as nau
rally supposed address the jury the before them
(he trial of Manly, accused Of larceny and defended by
Mr. Soue) On entering upon his argument, he said:
| Genemen, this case would probably have been pass
ed upon by you ere this had not some delay been OCCASION
ed by what has TRANSFERRED You will do Justice"
| The Judge here interrupted Mr.. Soue minated that
he must say nothing in relation what had occurred
then asked "Wh hat the counsel was about say?'
Mr. s. said he about put his to the Jury The
Judge then repeated his previous innaton Mr.. s. then
addressed the jury us follows:
Gentlemen deem my duty declare that il, is i'm
engaged for prisoner justice his client under the
o. this case and in the present condition of
| it to you"
After the Attorney General had addressed the Jury the
Judge called Mr. Soue know if he had anything to
say Mr. Soue replied that the has not the ben
fit of counsel in this case"
| The Judge then charged the jury who retired and
promptly returned with verdict of not guilty"
The matter then assumed another aspect. The Judge
called on Mr. Soue to answer such questions would be
addressed him, administered an oath TO him and d.
rected the clerk of the record his answers
The first question 'Did you intend in any manner
by the language you addressed the ury TO EXPRESS
tempt for the court Z"
Mr. S. replied. 'My language clear and uneouvoca.
1t expressed the opinion entertained the time, and
have alter it,"
| The second question was: ''Did you intend to mako
those expressions refer to the court %
Mr. s. answered 81 used those expressions with view
OF making known to the public how gentlemen of the bar
treated in this court"
The Judge remained silent for about five minutes anna.
renty absorbed in deep reflection. then said: "Mr
Attorney General, the Court desires your opinion and ad
vice on the questions and answers aken writing"
The Attorney General said "he matter before the
Court; he did not deem it necessary say ANYTHING"
The Judge said "The Court has right to call for the
opinion of the Attorney General; and now asks his ad-
vice"
The Attorney General remarked. 'sIf must give NV
opinion should like to have time consider the cues
tons and answers
''How long time do You desire :" asked the Judge
Isupposc," answered tho Attorney General 'unti to-
morrow morning"
"Verv we'll Judpe Cont axnact tho
advice of the Attorney General morning at 10
o'clock" And thus the matter stood yesterday.
This morning. at the opening of the court the Judge de-
elaed that he had come to the concu dispense with
calling for the opinion of the Attorney General He then
Imposing silence Mr.. Sonle, who about rising
address the COURT condemned Mr. s. to twenyour hours
imprisonment, and fine of one hundred dollars.
Mr.. Soule with the simple remark that 'he had
been allowed defend himself" Immediately delivered
himself into the hands of the sheriff.
We not witness of the above -descrbed scene
but narration of have from good authority Ex
sensitvenes, all times niudcious and very fire..
luenty leads well to highhanded usurpaons silly
sacrifices of supposed dignity.
twill be by report of the proceedings of the
,isla,ure that there resolution offered requesting the
governor to remove the Judge from office.
1.-THE following is given by the New Orleans Crescent
verbatim the words which were used by Mr.. Soue
The Court then give the law upon the subject
contempts of court quoting Blackstone the Civil Code
Ste, and remarked;
THAT not having the public press its command, the
Court must appeal to its conscience support it.
The Court was of opinion that two contempts had been
;ommued-hrst in refusing to SIT, &c and secondly, by
he of offensive remarks. The Court express
regret the unplea duty is about perforit
unpleasant duties every day-and therefore sentence
Mr. Pierre Soue, TOR contempt OF Court, twenty -four
ours' prisonment, and hundred dollars fine and to
imprisoned until the fine be paid the Court being will.
aF to consider that only one contempt has been commit
After the conclusion OF Judge McIenrys remarks Mr..
Soule and attempted speak, but ordered by
he Judge to take his seat
Mr.. Sout-"It is the first time that has been con
lemned without hearing. i should have had much to
say"
CoWt-"Will Mr.. Soue take his seat ~
Mr.. Sonk'I shall 60 the sheriff. and there will DO
40 necessity for my taking my seat"
Mr. Soue then delivered himself tho sheriff. and was
conducted out of court.
The other papers Of New Orleans substantially nrm
he accuracy of this statement We have not seen one
Of them which does not rebuke the outrage thus
nted upon of the most brilliant advocates OF the
bar of the country The "Repubc" refers to the
imaginary offence for which Mr. Soue thrown
into prison for "a hours, and fine of $780, in the
following terms:
The issue of the contempt imputed Mr. s. his pc
cuiar of looking the Judge In reply to inter
rogaons Mr. said he only ated the looks which
the Judge gavo him There is contagion in looks. If
,ne person look in the face of another the
impulse irresistible look back in the way No
nan can help his looks Fronti nua fdss look
may imply contempt. But if man ask another what