Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-11-14
An Impressiye Scoho.

In January, 1928, the Senate 5,f the state OF
South Carolina, was called opto perform the
painful duty of removing, by imreachment, Cham
cellor VIM. Dohein James, whs at an oarly ago,
served with Marion, boro distinguished share
in tho wars of the Revolution, and afterwards
was an eminent lawyer and Judge in South Caro-
lima. Ills habits Of ,ntemVranoe overcome him;
his DEGREES were not to befelied on, and tho i'm
is foclingly described in te following letter by
an eye witness and Participant, which wo copy
from the advance shoctslof o. NealPs forthcoming
book tho Bench aud lhr Of South Caroliua;"
My old friend, Col. IAn, was in the Chair pre-
siding with that grave and dignifed solomnity
whioh the occasion woad have elected from au
experienced Chancells, and with that kindness
and genleno-s, and consideration for the acoused,
which was in keeping with his own generous and
elevated disposition. All OF us were surprised at
the readiness and prcmptness with which he dis
posed Of every question:; indeed, 1t would have
easily been believed that the bar was his protes-
sion. and tho law Of evidence his favorite sta
| dy,
W. u Preston appeared as counsel; and even
| then, BY his naue it WAS conclusive that Whatever
| e"quencc. energy AMI learning could achieve.
wns 10 be accomplished. The Senate, acting M IL
| Court sat with cos"d doors. Many witnesses
wcrn examined. and the trial progressed slowly
aud mournlully to its termination. 1t s impossi-
| lie for me to speak of the defence made by Mr..
| Preston bnt is equally mpossible Tor mo ever to
forget it; he Was great. without an interval from
the heginnin to the endng hut ut last the day
| came and the "r,eruest stuff was necessary Ia
meet it, The vota was to DO taken; each Senator
was callel on by his nnnie, the word Honorable
omitted; and us he stood uncovered, the President
| put the question, "What say your Guilty or not
guilty % The Scontor, placing his righthandup-
on his own breas', answered "Guilty Tor not guilty.
on my tonor," and Immediately took his scat, tho
| silence Of the grave prevailing. II is known
what was the ,c'dict-a brave old soldier was 10
| he cashercd tho day for pronounring sentence
WIS fixed. Jndgn Jumes entered the Senate
| Chamber, lrnaiEg the arm Of his counsel Cni.
! ran to receive them aud looking steadfnstly
| ut both remained silent for moment. us If he
| he was Gathering strength to meet what WIS
| coming As well ms can remember. he address
cd The venerable sufferer in these words William
Debein james. what have you to fay why sem
tenco of impeachment should not be passed upon
vnu?" | have never witnessed such n sccne!-
We held our breath as the axe was falling. Your
old friend and mine Col. Hampton, was sitting
next to me. Hampton had been in battle. and
had seen BLOND; and Tiff there ever was bravs
man. Hampton was one; but he gave way now.
with hardly II show Of resistance Col. Fan con-
tnucd to wait for the reply. The old man triei
to rise, but could not. without assistance. Draw
ing from his pocket slip of paper, he read rs
distinctly ~ he was able:
Mr. hes1dent--... have served my country
too long not 10 be sensible of my duty to submit,
as we'll may, ~ this heavy stroke..".......l
could have wished that my old age had been spar
ed this awful calamity, hut Providence
has Thought proper to bring me, through the VA
re ank trying scenes Of long life, to this Bit
ter period. To tho Almighty, and to
Him alone, Look for support and consolation.
..... pray Him to hless and to prosper my
country, which, while size casts me of, cannot.
and trust will not, be disposed to deprive mo Of
the consultations which result from con scon sness
f nta ion nd hon ct In
These were touching words to those who had
assisted at the sacrifice; and he uttered the last
syllable. he sank back into tho chair he had with
difficulty left! The whole Senate was agtated be-
yond articulation! | looked at Fan, and his ap-
ncarance is now before me; he labored under tho
deepest emotion, yet oil the features Of his face
seemed fixed; it was the marble expression which
indicates the power to follow duty" lead where
il may; but it Was the "agony" also which some
times accompanies the perturmancc Othcr NOM
bers were giving vent to their feelings in audible
tones Of solemn g:ief and then it was that ma
tures spring. which had been pent up before.
found creyice in this rock ofgranite. The
terra Of life came forth without control. Fan
would have died at his post anywhere, and at
any time. lie never know how to surrender; but
his heart run over" at his eyes, and tsarsof ten
derness and sorrow chased each other down his
ragged and motonloss cbeJks! 1t was the Sta
tue" that was weeping. se
Mr.. Hu ger submitted the following resolution,
and made short speech, or rather. few remarks;
they were hurried and almost incohersnt. but the
Senate Was glad to take them. They sayored Of
kindness and of nercyi They were relief to
tnse to whom they were addressed.
Resolved. That this Court. in diseharging the
painful duty impo lupon ii by the State Of South
Carolina. having passed sentence Of rsmovAi from
oikee upon the LIN. VIM. d. Jao'es. feels It in
cumbent upon itself, in justice TO the said WIN.
tion that bis character for honest Integrity 10