The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-04-04

OF Justice; and which elected so much de-
served commendation from the presiding
officer, the Maj. had great difficulty in pre-
serving silence. But, notwithstanding his
many provocs;ions, he preserved temper
calm and unruifled. Occasionally, when
the vociferous urclins in front of the Porch,
to whom the wholesome birch Of the
school room had not been sufficiently ap-
piled, would send in voIIcys of confusion,
you would see his checks flushed, the
muscles connected with the eye contrac-
ting ami dilatng with great velocity, and
the q"'d almost ready to squeal from the
rapid and heavy pressure Of the relentless
mastIcators: but no person was sent to
that house where they have iron bars for
sash and no panes to obstruct the vision.
The Grand Jury proved themselves to
be a Grand Jury. They made an honest
effort to carry out the great principle CON-
tempIatcd in this aim of the government.
They are the sentines on The out-posts
of our civil liberties to raise the warn
ing voice and advertise the approach OF
danger whilst it is vet in embryo. Doubt
less these men felt the necessity and pro-
pricty of their Office and the binding ma
ture of their oath and in all thcv did,
they had for their sole object, the peace,
order and safety of society. 1t is prob
able some will censurc them as officious,
and others will impugn their motives, but
there is little doubt every peace-loving,
and Sice-hating citizen ", extend his cor
dia! appreciation to all that was douo.-
There is still enough of virtue in Lancas-
ter TO sustain the men who dare discharge
their duty.
As to the Petit jury little can be said,
for little opportunity was given to act viz
tuously or viciously. One word of com
mendation may be uttered, no Juror, by
intoxication or other improper conduct,
exposed himself to the censure Of the
Court. And with solitary exception no
juror had to be called second time.
Ofour Bar, many excellent things may
be said, and some things we cannot term
excellent. The gentlemen of the Bar fra
ternity are entitled to our kindest feelings,
and we cheerfully accord it. But like all
other orders Of men, they may have their
foibles and impertections. The practice
OF introducing temperance episodes into
legal disquisition, where the life or limb
of human being is in jeopardy, is Of
questionable propriety, if the rules of Rhe-
toric will tc received rs standard author
ity. But this is a small and unimportant
matter, compared with the object at when
the writer is aiming. The principles Of
temperance are good, but they seriously
suffer when dissociated from proper socie.
U. Their" "ro m""y Persvns as strong
friends Of the Temperance cause as he re-
viewer, hut teL0 more so. lie claims to be
the Oldest tee totaIler in the District =
Aud after many years Of close observation
and deep solicitudc, lie is decide lily Of
the opinion, arr"pcr place and person are
necessary, else the agitation Of the subject
will harden the unfortunate victims ofthis
evil practice. | lave often tremLIcd for
the safety, and the cause itself has wcpt
tears of blood over the treatment il has
received in the house of its professed
friends.
Our Bar is occasionally chargabIc with
too frequent and unnecessary appeals to
the Supreme Being. These things some
times make clever Rhetorical flourishcs,
and furnish a resting place for the mind
of the juror, whilst the advocate is passing
to another link of the argument; but in
stead Of adding strength, it weake IS the
chains. This august and venerable name
should never be pronounced but when ne.
cessary and then only with socmnty
and reverence. Whatever amounts TO
more than this, is downright profanity.
Another cause Of grievance is, perlina.
ciously insisting on witnesses to repeat
horrid and revolving blasphenies which
they have heard; and then in their plead.
ings repeating these disgusting sentences
over and over again, with unnecessary ad.
ditions. These things are altogether un-
called for, and the strong points of the
case, and the cause Of the client would
not suffer by their omission. Moreover
the Bar profess TO be gentlemen, and this
position is most cordially conceded. Now
one Of the elements Of a gentleman is, to
say or do nothing in company that would
mar the enjoyment Of the innocent and
well deserving. II is exceedingly painful
to many worthy citizens to hear these
revolving blasphemies extorted from the
deponent and repeated time after time by
the attorney with various additions and
amendments. Members of Bar fraternity
il YOU will not disproye that Won are oen.