Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-07-17

regret that in discharging n duty imposed upon
me by my own sense of right and the sentiment OF
the gallant people it is my pride and honor to rep
resent, | am constrained as consequence to ap-
proach you ms n violator and not MS n maker OF
the laws.
In extenuation of my oireHce, permit me to say
that no extraordinary power of invention is re-
quiste to imagine variety of personal grievances,
which the good Of society and even public morali-
ty require to be redress. !: and yet no adequate
legal remedy may he had. So also arc those cases
which may fall under the condemnation Of thelet-
ter of the law, and yet like considerations will re-
strain its penalties. The william who pervcrs the
best feelings of the better sex, and rewards I'M
suspectng devotion with ruin, may bid defiance
to this honorable court. But where q sisters
dishonor is blotted out with the blood of her des-
troycr an intelligent and wholesome public Opin-
ion, embodied inan Intelligent and virtuous jury,
always has, and always will, control the INV. and
popular sentiment will applaud what the book
may condemn.
1tis the glory of the law that it is founded in
reason. But can that reasoning he inst which is
not regardful Of human feeling! Sir, no one
knows better than yourself that such n reprOach
does not rest upon our jurisprudence, for, even
the stern letter Of the law touches with tenderness
the husband who Stays in the act the usurpcr OF
his bed. The child who kills in defence of its pa
rent is excused by the law, which is ever regard
ful of the virt,ious impulses of nature.
by n parity of reasoning, patriotism Is regard.
ed by every nation upon earth n the cardinal p0-
litical virtue. Sons are made to reward it, and
TO pcrpctuate the names of those who are its cX-
emplars. And can itbe eXpcctc,l-will it be re-
quired-that ], with heart to feel and an arm to
strike, shall patiently hear and ignObly submit
while my political mother is covered with insult,
and OboIuy, and dishonor? while her character
is slnndered, and her reputation lhclcd?
Sir, the substance which | have been gathering
for my children may be squandcre'l, my body may
be consigned to the common 'jnil, my life itself
may be forfeited but will he true to the instincts
of my naturc-truc To the home Of my maturity,
md to the motherthat bore me.
The first political lesson which my ripenng fac
mites fully cnmprchended and Appreciated was
the high moral and social obligations OF every
citizen to bow himself to the majesty of the law
In obedience to the preccpts of my youth, which
are sanctioned by the experience and Judgment oI
mature years, I submit my case to the discretion
of the court with entire confidence, that while you
sir, MS magistrate perform your whole duty to
the country and yourself, you will remember that
in every well regulated community public opinion
distinguishes between crime and honorable resent
ment, and tolerates the refuge which men some
times sock in the magnnnimity of their judges.
Upon the conclusion Of Mr. Brooks remarks,
Judge Crawford proceeded to give the following
decision:
GAS this matter will be within n short time the
snhect of investigation in another place, and as il
is not necessary to the discharge Of my duty that
I should remark on the evidence adluccd, which
could not do without touching on some of the points
that vii! probably be raised elsewhere, it appears
to me to he proper that the sentence of the Court
should be pronounced without comment. That
sentence is that the defendant pay a fine of $500.
Washington Ersning STIR.