Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-01-11
.-<1-->~ SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER
For the Spectator.

For the Spectator.
Aessrs. Editors: On Wednesday evening last
after An investigation that occupied several days
as you know, George Z. Deneale Esq, of Rock
ingham, was committed for further trial upol
the charge Of obtaining the endorsement of Mr.
e. A. Shauds on negotiable note and the sub
sequent discount of the same at the Valley Banl
in this place, upon false pretences." Severa
circumstances couspire to surround this cas-
with an unusual degree of interest. And some
OF them, it seems to me, might well inspire
doubt as to the propriety of Mr.. Deneales ar
ralgnment at least for the present, upon charge
of felony.
|, however, design no imputation upon tn,
motives, fairness, or integrity ofany one connect
ed with this trial, either as Court, witnesses o.
prosecutor. Neither am influenced by person
al or party predictions in favor of the accused
for am entirely unacquainted with Mr.. D., ant
hold no political opinion of party character il
common with him. l think, therefore, l ma.
claim to be an impartial 'ooker on" The nov
city of this case alone was sufficient to attrac
to it considerable attention, it being the hrs
trial in this community under the statute agains
obtaining goods upon 'false pretences." AM
when in addition to this the high social position
of the accused is remembered; that up to thi
accusation he enjoyed the confidence and esteem
of the most intelligent and respectable citizens
of Rockingham, as an energetic and trustworthy
business man that he was likewise the honore(
representative of that populous and wealthy
county in the Senate of the State, of which bod,
he was one of the most prominent, Influential
and experienced members; when these things arr
emembered-that q large crowd should have ca
gerly watched the progress Of the investigation
is not to be wondered at. The first reflection
that forced itself upon my mind during the prog
ress of this trial was the instability of popular
favour-the readiness with which the public
gave up an honored servant" upon the first &C
cusation, without waiting even for and investi.
gation-showing that
"The spiders most attenuated thread
Is cord, is cable, to that tender tie"
that binds the people to favorte representative
But a few weeks ago Mr. D. was respected
and beloved by, and popular and influential with
the people Of Rockingham; but no sooner doe!
a "cloud as big as mans hand" cast its dark
shadow over his fair name and reputation than
this confidence and respect is exchanged for
condemnation and bitter prejudice, and every
body seems ready to kick the man who two
months ago every body courted. He is even
tainted with being an "embryo Congressman "
Mr.. D. may we'll in the deep dependency of his
feelings apply to the people of Rockingham
the words of the ancient Patriarch as he blessed
his "frst born" son, thou art unstable as water.
In the commencement of this communication
said there were some circumstances that might
create doubt as to the propriety of the charge
of felony against Mr.. D., now proceed to state
III nd Oh and
unusual case
The charge against Mr.. Deneale is, that he in.
duced Mr.. Stands to endorse negotiable note
and the Valley Bank to discount the same, by ex-
ecuting deed of trust upon some negroes and q
large number of cattle that he did not oacn and,
it is this untrue assertion of ownership that con-
stiutes the false pretence," by which the money
and endorsement were obtained for if the prop.
erty really belonged to Mr.. d., then the deed OF
trust was made in good faith and there is nc
"false pretence" about the matter. Now we
have this state of facts, that whilst criminal
prosecution, that may end in his confinement in
the penitentiary, proceeds against Mr.. Deneale
in the county OF Augusta, the foundation-the
very life blood of whch-depends on his want OF
ownership in these negroes and cattle, suit is
instituted and pending il the Circuit Court Of
that the negroes and cattle are the property Of
Mr.. Deneale. SO that the edifying specta-
Gle may be presented to the world, OF sending 8
man to the penitentiary FROM the county OF Au.
gusta because he did not own three certain me
groes and seventy head of stock CATTLE" whilst
at the same time the Circuit Court Of Rocking
ham adjudges and DEGREES that his creditors and
prosecutors are entitled to the said three "ne-
hnoI nf la
they were really and truly his on the day on
which he executed the deed oftrust out of which
this prosecution originated. Truly is Mr.. De-
neale made, like Issachar, in the prophetic bles-
sing, to 'couch down between two burdens"
i cannot close this brief communication with
out passing reference to the Counsel OF Mr.. D
OF Messrs Niche and Stuart it is unnecessary to
say anything, their names being synonimes for
able and ingenious defences; but OF their col
league on this occasion, Mr.. Skinner, who is a
young man, will be pardoned for one word
His speech in this case was forensic effort wor'
thy OF imitation as model-posSesslng III an
eminent degree many OF those qualities in which
the members OF the bar of this county are often
deficient 1t was clear and concise in its state
ments, brief and pointed in its argument, and IL
its STYLE terse and forcble; characterized no les
by the exclusion OF extraneous and irrelevant
matter and allusion, than by the ability ant
thoroughness with which it discussed the ISSUE
involved in the trial before the Court.
Why the party to which Mr.. 5. belongs seer
resolved to reserve him for certain and inevita-
bic defest under their standing rule to run can
didates in this county at every election, instead
of elevating him to wider field where lis de-
cided talents and high attachments would reflect
credit on his constituents and rebound to the
honor Of his State, am unable TO conjecture.
Jan. 9Th, 1859. A LOCKER on.