Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-11-10
WHEET.
The INTELLIGENCER

ot O'Neall's forthcoming work, called the
Bench and Bar Of South Carolina, and extracts
from it the following account Of the removal
by impeachment, of Chancellor YIN. Dobein
James, who at an early age, served With Mari
on bore distinguished share in the war of the
Revolution, and afterwards was an eminent
lawyer and judge IN South Carolina. His han.
Its OF lntempetance overcame him: his dccyees
were not to be relied on, and the nDeachmant
followed 1t was painful scene, and is fcelinp.
ly described in the following letter bv an cva
witness and participant:
Ny old friend Col Fan, was in the Cbai.
presiding with that grave and dignifiey1 soIemn;
" winch the occasion would have elected from
t0 experienced Chancellor, ana with that Kind
ness and geat!eness, and consideration for the
accused, which was in Keeping with his own
generous and elevated disposition All of nc
we're surprised at the readiness and promptness
with which he disposed Of every question: in.
deeu, 1t would have easily been believed that
the bar was his profession, and the law of evi
uence his favorite study.
w. Y. Preston appeared as council: and even
tAen by Aas name it was conclusive that what
ever eloquencc, energy and learning could
acHieve, was to be accomplished. The Senate
acting rs Court, sat with closed doors. Manv
witnesses were examined and the trial. pro.
SN'NN'S ana uIDuffllu4tS 10 It's terIujNa-
non Ii is impossible for me to speak Of the
defence made by Mr. Preston, but il is equally
Impossible Tor me ever to forget it; he was
great, without an interval from the beginning
70 the ending: but at last the day came, and the
steFneSt Stutt was necessary to meet it, The
vote was TO be taken; each Senator was called
on by his name, the word "HonOrable" omitted.
and rs he stood uncovered, the President mi
the question, 'Nhat say yon Guilty or not
guilty Z? The Senator, placing ms right hand
upon his own breast, answered Guilty Tor not
sni.ty) ON my honor" and Immediately took
his scat, tkc silence Of the grave prevaiiing.-
1t is known what was the vcr,lict-a brave old
soldier was to be cashcrcd--tc dav for pro-
nounc'ng sentence was fixed. Judge James
entered The Senate Chamber, leaning on the
arm OF his counsel! Col IAN rose to receive
them, and looking stcadras'iy at both, remained
silent Tor a moment, if he was gathering,
strength to meet what was coming. As well Ms
can remember, he addressed the venerable
S''tterer in these words: civilian Dobein
James, what have yon to say WHY sentence of
impeachment should not be passed uDon vOu ,"
have never witnessed such a scene! Ne held
our breath as the was falling. Your old
friend and mine, sCol. Hampton, was sttirr
next me. Hampton had been in battle, aud
had seen blood; and If there ever was brave
'nan, Hampton WIS one; tut he gave way now,
with hardly show Of resistance Col Fan
c"nsiRued TO wait for the reply The old -man
tried to rise, but could not, without assistance
Drawing from his pocket slip of paper, he
read. as distinctly as lie WAS able:
'KT. Presi9sht-I have served nv country
too long not to be sensible OF my duty to sub.
init as well as may, to this heavy stroke 49,.
could have wished that my old age had been
spared this a" f"l calamity, but Providence -.
has thought proper to bring me, Through
the varied ar;d trying scenes OF a iorg life, to
this hitter peTiod ...... To the Almighty aud
to Han alone, look for support AMI coasola-
ton pray Him To bless and prosper
any country, which, while she casts me Off cans
Uot, aud trust will not, be disposed to deprive
me OF the good intentions and honest conduct
in office"
These were touching words to those who had
assisted at the sacrifice; and, as lie uttered tie
last syllable, heSank back into the chair he had
with difficulty LEFT! The whole Senate was sg;-
tated beyond articulation! looked at Pan
AID his appearance is before me; he labor
eli under the deepest emotion, yet all the Fea>
lures o! his face seemed fixed; it was the marble
expression which Indicates the power to follow
| duty, lead where it may; but it was the ''agu-
ny also, which sometimes accompanies the
performance! Otlter members were giving vent
to their feelings in audible tones of solemn
grief; and then it was that natures spring
which had been pcnt up before, found creyice
IN TINS rock oil granite. The waters of life
came forth without control. Pan would have
| died at his post anywhere, and at any time lie
never knew how tn Surrender; bnt his heart
| ''run over ut his eyes, and tearS of tenderness
and of sorrow chased each other down his rug
std and motionless chcekS 1t was the Statue
r!iat weeping.
Mr.. Huger submitted the following resolution,
and made short speech, rather few re-
marks; they were hurried aud almost incohc.
rent, bnt The Senate was glad to take them
They savored of kindness and Of mercy! They
were relief to those TO whom they wero ads
dressed:
'Revoire7, That this Court, in discharging'
the painful duty imposed upon it by the Senate
of South Carolina, having; passed sentence OF re
moval from Office upon the Hon. Nm. d. Jardes,
feels it incumbent upon itself, in justice to the
said Wm. d. James, publicly to declare their
sincere conyiction that his character roy honest
integrity as man has not been impeached by
this sentence; and in consideration OF this belief
as vel! as in consideration of bis Revolutionary
services, they recommend to both branches Of
this Legislature that the said W. D. James be
authorized to draw upon the Treasurer Of the
Upper Division, for the full amount of his
salary appropriated up to the lst january,
1929"
In support Of which, Mr. Huger. spoke as fol
lows:
''Mr. Presidcnt-T hive but few words to say