Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-18
VOL. 5-..NO. 273.
DAILY VIRGINIAN.
a New ss"mp-htrr , ad ae,. Ch.rr..

John dudley, "f Raymond. a. H. who w.. for
twelve years Judge of the Superior Coort from
ES5 to II91. had not only no legal education
but little learning Of any kind. But he Ind .
discriminating mind. IA retentive memory. a ma
uenoe which no labor could tire. an integrity
proof alike against threats and Hsttery, and n
FREQ elocntion. often uncouth. bold, clear, and
expressive. with warmth of honest feeling,
which II Is not easy 10 resist. His ideas of law
may be inferred from the conclusion of one of
his charges 10 the jury. which once head nv
father repeat. 1t was somewhat in this style.
lyon have heard, gentlemen of tho iorv. what
has been said in this case by the lawyers, the
rnscals but wont abuse them. Il Ia their bn
siness to mike good case for their clients, thew
are paid for ii, and they have done in this case
well enough But you and l, gentlemen. have
something else to consider. They talk OF law.
why, gentlemen, 1t Is not law that we want, but
Justice. They would govern us by tho common
law Of England. Trust mo. gentlemen, common
sense Is u much safer guide for us--the common
sense of Raymond, Eppng Exeter and tho other
towns, which have sent us hero To try this case
between two of our neighhors. A clear head and
nm honest heart aro worth moro than all the law
OF all the lawyers. There was one good thing
said ut tho bnr. ltwas from one Shakespeare,
an English plnyer. l believe. No matter. 1t is
good enough almost TO be in the Bible. It's this:
BE just and fenr not" That. gentlemen, is
the law in this case. and law enough in any case.
"B" ust aud fear not" II IL our business to do
justice between the parties, not by any quirks Of
the law out of Coke or Blackstone, books that
newer read and never will but by common sense
and common honesty, as between man and man.
That ia our business; and tho curse of God upon
ns IT we neglect or evade, or turn aside from it,
And now, Mr.. Sheriff, take out the jury; and YOU
Mr.. Foreman. do not keep us waiting with idle
talk. of which there has been too much already,
about matters that have nothing to do with tho
merits OF The case. Give us an honest verdict,
of which. as plain common sense men yoo need
not be ashamed"
have made the judge speak good English,
which he did not very often do. This ERE plain
tu. 'nnd that 'aro defendant "them lawyers"
and these 'ere Witnesses were expressions
that fell often from his lips; yet, il was observed
thnt when warmed by his subject, his language.
always foroible. became suddenly aoou, ate and
even elegant. 80 naturally IL correctness, ns well
ns cl"quonee, the result of clear thought and
earnest feeling, 1t will not excite surprise that
such judge carried the jury with him. Indeed
when fairly under way there was no stopping
him. lie trnmpled dawn and ran over every
thing that stood before him. and came out always
first Mt the goal. He had been. from I775 TO II
81 during tho whole period of the revolution.
one of the Committee of Safety. the most efficient
of governments. Quick to feel and prompt to aot
he was aresolute. strong minded man intent on
doing substantial justice IN every case, though
often Indifferent 10 the forms and requirements
of law. You may laugh" said fheopbilus
Parsons, who practised for many years in our
courts, at his law, and ridoule his language:
but Dudley is. after nll. tho best Judge ! ever
knew in Now Hampshire" To have received
this praise from Judge Parsons, Dudley must
have been, on the whole. not ignorant Of law.
nor inattentive to it's substantial requirements.
Justice" said Arthur Livermore. speaking to
mo OF Dudley, before whom he had himself prac.
tisnd, was never better administered in New
Hampshire than when the Judges know very
Iitto of what the lawyers cal law"