Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-09-23
JUDGE Smith.

Mai. PERRY of Greenville, has communicated
the following interesting sketch Of Judge SMITH
1t will repay perusal.
Mai. PEaRY is correct in the statement TIM,
Judge SMITH did not leave the State, from politi
cal considerations. He entertained the idea asia
back as 1926, and in carrying out the purpose
sold his entire estate-ncluding the magnificent
residence in our town, erected by him. and the
beautiful grounds, now owned by Col. McCAw.-
He remained in the State for several years after
wards, with view chiefly to vindicate the States
Rights Doctrines announced BY him in opposition
to the famous PRioLEAU Resolutions and il the
opposition party finally occupied his platform ard
run his doctrines to an extreme point, to which
he could not himself reach, they only made his
triumph the more complete. Judge Smith de-
lighted In planting, and left the State the more
successfully to carry ont the chief am Of his life,
SO we are told.
Ne,,rs. Editors Il have read. with great pleas
ure, the very interesting biographical sketch Of
Judge Smith, by our friend, Judge O'Neall, and
am much gratifed to learn that he intends publish
ing sketches of the bench and bar Of South Carroll
ma hope you will republish bis sketch of the
life of Judge Smith in the Patriot and Mountaineer,
herewith sent you. will suggest one or two
omissions, which Judge 0'Neall has made, and
which he will no doubt include in his second edi.
ton of Judge Smith. After he removed to Ala
hama, Judge Smith was appointed, by General
Jackson one of the Judges Of the Supreme Court
! Of the Emitted States, which appointment was de-
clined by the Judge. This very high honor, in
his old age, from his old school mate, President
Jackson, should not be omitted in sketch of his
life.
Judge William Smith was also elected member
of the Alabama Legislature. from Blountssile, I
think, and served several sessions otter his reno.
val to Alabama. His last political act was not,
therefore, his address to the people Of South Car
olina, as stated by the editor Of the Charleston
Courier. Whilst in the Legislature Of Alabama,
he was q very active member Of that body, and as
true to his political principles steel. Never was
there a more consistent statesman politician
than Judge Smith. He was q STATES RIGHTS
MAN of the strictest sect, opposing notification as
new-fangled heresy of that latitudinarian school
which had reviled and scorned his States rights
doctrine in former years, when they were unpopu-
lar in South Carolina He was one Of the first to
break ground against tariff for protection, which
was favored by Mr.. Calhoun, after the close Of
the war ith England. for the special benefit Of
the Northern manufactures which had sprung up
during that war. One Of his first Gnd last poitt-
cal acts WAS to expose the folly hnd unconstitu-
tionalty of national system of internal improve
ments, which for many years, was favorite hobby
Of the leading politicians of South Carolina.
remember well seeing an elaborate argument
of Judge Smith, after his removal to Alabama,
against the power Of Congress to carry on o sys-
tenn of internal i'm provemsnts, and against an ap-
preparation for Alabama by Congress on this cub
ject
Judge Smith was, too, one of the earliest and
most able opponents Of the Northern abolition
movement in the Senate of the United States. 1t
is refreshing, in times like the present, when our
statesmen and politicians are changing with every
political breeze, 10 review the life and political
course of such n statesman as Judge William
Smith, who had the wisdom to start right, and the
Roman frmness to adhere to his principles ut the
sacrifice of himself as Senator, and his ostracism
rs citizen of the State.
Iddgu O'Neall is mistaken however. in saying
!,t6at he removed ,rih his property to Alabama in
consequence of our political excitement. lie had
long before his removal transferred his prop.
erty to Alabama. / remember hearing it stated,
when he was last defeated for tho United
States Senate, tbat his taxes in South Carolina
were only twelve dollars. He had purchased large
bodies OF lands in Alabama, and found it much
more profitable working his negroes there than
in South Carolina; but it was not his purpose to
move there
After his second defeat in the Senate, of the
United States, Judge Smith was returned to the
State Senate from York District, as be had been
to the House Of Representatives after his first de-
feat foi the Senase.
Judge Smith was not only kind, as is stated by
Judge U'Neall, but he was particularly so to young
men Of promising talents, and we have understood
that he has educated at his own expense mora
than one distinguished gentleman of South Caro-
lima.
Judge Smith was most incorporating man.
The following anecdote has been told US by dis
tinQuished memhtr of tha bench. and ia in charac.