Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-14
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER H. 1855
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.

OF South Carolina WIS cdlleu vi " PSiio' -
the painful duty of removing, 10y impeach-
ment, Chancellor VIM. Doben James, who
nj an early age served with Marion, bore
distinguished share in the war OF the Re'o-
luton. and afterwards Was an eminent law
yer and Judge in South Carolina. Habits
cf intemperance oyercame him. 1iis de-
crees were not to be relied on, and the I'M
pcachn"r. followed. 1t was painful scene,
and is ice!ingly described III the following
letter hv an eyewitness and participant,
which We copy from the advance sheets OF
O'Neall's forthcoming book, the Bench ana
Bar of South Carolina"
Nv old friend, Colonel ron was in the
chair, presiding with that grave and digni-
fled solemnity which the occasion would
have elected from an experienced Chan
cellor, and with that kindness and gentle
ness, and consideration for the accused,
which was in keeping with his own gener-
Gus and elevated disposition. All ofus were
surprised at the readiness and pr"mptness
with which he disposed Of every question,
indeed, it would have easily been bellev-
ed that the bar was his profession, and the
law of evidence his favorite study.
w. c. Preston appeared IS COUNSEL; ana
even then, by his name. 1t was conclusive
that whatever eloquence, energy, and learn
ing could achieve. was to be accomplished
The Senate, acting as court, sat Win
closed doors. Many witnesses were exam.
ined, and the trial progressed slowly ana
mournfully to its termination. 1t Is impossi-
lie for me to speak of the defence made by
Mr.. Preston, but it is equally impossible tor
me to forget it; he was great, without an
interval from the beginning to the ending;
but at last the day came, and the "sternest
stuff was necessary TO meet 1t. The vote
was to be TAKEN each Senator was called ON
by his name, the word "lionorable" omitted;
and. as he stood uncovered, the President
nut the question, What say you? Guilty
or not euilty?" The Senator, placing his
right hand upon his own breast, answered
Guilty, tor not guilty on my honor, ana
Immediately took his seat the silence OF the
grave prevailing. 1t is known what was
the yerd;ct-a brave old soldier was to be
cashiered-the day for pronouncing, sen
tence was fixed. Judge James entered the
Senate Chamber, leaning on the arm OF his
COUNSEL. Col. ron rose to receive them. and
looking steadfastly at both, remained silent
for a moment, rs if he was gathering
strength to meet what was coming. AS well
as can remember, he addressed the venera,
BILE sufferer in these words: William Do
bein james, what have you to say why sen
lance Of impeachment should not be passed
upon vou?" | have never witnessed such
scene! We held our breath rs the axe was
falling. Your old friend and mine, Col
Hampton, was sitting next to me. lamp
ton, had been in battle, and had seen blood
and If there ever was brave man, Hampton
was one; but he gave way now, with hardly
n show of resistance. Col. ron continued t.
wait tor the reply. The old man tried tc
rise. but could not, without assistance
Drawing from his pocket slip Of paper
he read as distinctly as he was able
MIR. PRESIDENT
have served my country too long not to bt
sensible OF my duty TO submit, as well as
NAV, to this heavy stroke
could have wished that my old age had beer
spared this awful calamity, but Providence
has thought proper to bring
me through the varied and trying scenes OF 4
long life, to this bitter period.
Tothe Almighty and to Him alone, look
for support and consolation.
pray Him to bless and prosper my country
which, while she casts me of, cannot and
trust will not. be disposed to deprive me o.
the consultations which result froma consci
BUSINESS of good intentions and honest con
duct in Office"
These were touching words to those who
had assisted at the sacrifice, and. as he ut
tered the last syllable, he sank back into tn.
chair he had with difficulty left The
whole Senate was agitated beyond articula
ton. looked at ron, and his appearance II
now before me; he labored under the deepest
emotion; yet all the features of his face seemed
fixed; it was the marble expression which in
dicates the power 10 follow duty" lead where
it may: but it was the "agony" also, which
sometimes accompanies the performance
Other members were giving vent TO ther
feelings in audible tones of solemn grief and
then it was that Natures spring which had
been pent up before, found a crevice in this
rock of granite. The waters of life came
forth without control. ron would have
died at his post anywhere and at any time
He never knew how to surrender; but his
heart iran over" at his eyes, and tears o.
tenderness and Of sorrow chased each Other
down his rugged and motionless cheeks. IL
was the "statae" that was weeping.
Mr.. Huger submitted the following reso
luton, and made short speech, or rather {
few remarks: they were hurried and almost
incoherent, but the Senate was Lad to take
them. They savored Of kindness and of mer
cy. They were a relief to those to whom
they were addressed.
Resolred, That this court, in dischargins
the painful duty imposed upon it by thu
State Of South Carolina, having passed sen
teuce of removal from office upon the Hon
Vim. d. James, feels it incumbent upon it
self, in Justice to the said VIM. j. James
publicly to declare their sincere conviction
that his character for honest integrity as {
man has not been impeached by this sentence
and, in consideration OF this belief, as vel
as in consideration of his revolutionary ser
vices, they recommend to both branches o
the Legislature that the said w. ID. James b
authorized TO draw upon the Treasurer Of tn,
Upper Division, for the full amount Of his sal
airy, appropriated up to the LIST of January
1929.
In support of which, Mr.. lluger spoke a
follows:
"Mr. PRESIDENT have but few word,
to say in support Of the paper have the hon
or to offer YOU i need not speak when thu
hearts Of all have SO eloquently spoken al
ready. need not appeal when every bosom
is filled to overlooking, when every Senate
is subdued by the appeal his own nature ha
II