The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-23
as school teacher in the Barnwell district.

as school teacher in the Barnwell district.
RICHMOND, Va, Nov. IA.
The Richmond Enquirer urges State
convention at an early day, which might
settle peacesbly the dangerous question. 1t
says it was with view of concentrating
public opinion upon convention, as well
as to prepare the people for any emergency
that Gov. Wise inaugurated his Minute
Men, and that he contemplated no raid upon
the federal government. The last accounts
are uuprecvdently favorable to Bell, and
the full official returns may be necessary
to decide the result in this State.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. IA.
The reported conduct of the captain of
the steamer Keystone State, at Charleston
was much exaggerated. He did not haul
down the American and hoist the Palmetto
flag, but merely saluted the Carolina flag by
dipping his colors.
BALTIMORE Nov. IA.
The money market is very tight. There
is no discountipg by the banks. Two firms
on Market street have suspended payment.
BALTIMORE, Nov. 16.
Applications for military appointments
are numerous. The Mayor has discharged a
large number oflaborers on the public works.
Patrick Hayes, an Englishman, arrested fol
incendiary remarks was hurried off for the
steamship Marion for New York.
A handsome sword will be presented to-
night, to A. J. McGrath, who resigned his
seat in the United States Court.
IMPRESSIVE PROCEEDINGS IN THE U. 8, DIS.
TRICT COURT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The United States District Court, Judge
Magrath presiding, met in Charleston or
Wednesday, the 9th instant. Some bust
ness being disposed of, his honor asked il
the grand jury had any presentment to
make, whereupon R. N. Gourdon, ESQ.,,
foreman, said
May 1T PLEASE YOUR HoNoR-It is un-
derstood to be one of the functions of the
grand jury to make presentments of nui-
sances, and to suggest to the court and the
country such reforms in law, or in its ad-
ministration, as may to them seem proper.
These presentments are predicated upon the
stability of the government, and are de-
signed to promote its gradual and steady
progress to the highest civilization: Hence
it was the purpose of this jury to lay be-
fore the court some matters suggested by
the indictments submitted to them but
the events of yesterday seem to render this
unnecessary now. The verdict of the
northern section of the confederacy, SOL
EMMY announced to the country through
the ballot-box on yesterday, has swept
away the last hope for the permanence, for
the stability of the federal government of
these sovereign states and the public mind
is constrained to lift itself above the con-
sideration of details in the administration
of law and justice up to the vast and solemn
issues which have been forced upon us.
These issues involve the existence of the
government of which this court is the
organ and minister. In these extraordinary
circumstances, the grand jury respectfully
decline to proceed with their presentments.
They deem this explanation due to the
court and to themselves"
Thereupon his Honor addressed the
grand jury as follows
The business of the term has been disposed
of; and, under ordinary circumstances, it
would be my duty to dismiss you to your
several avocations with my thanks for your
presence and aid. But now 1 have some-
thing more to do, the omission of which
would not be consistent with propriety. In
the political history of the United States an
event has happened of ominous import to
fifteen slaveholding States. The State OF
which we are citizens has been always un-
derstood to have deliberately fixed its pur~
pose whenever the event should happen. Feel
ing an assurance of what will be the action
of the State, l consider it my duty, without
delay, to prepare to obey its wishes. That
preparation is made by the resignation of the
Office l have held. For the last time have,
as judge of the United States, administered
the laws of the United States within the
limits CT the State of South Carolina.
While thus acting in obedience to sense
of duty, l cannot be Indifferent to the emo
tions it must produce. That department of
government which, l believe, has best MAIN
tanned its integrity and preserved its purity,
has been suspended. So far as 1 am con-
cerned, the Temple of Justice, raised under
the Constitution of the United States, is now
closed. If it shall be never again opened,
1 thank God that it's doors have beed closed
before its altar has been desecrated with
sacrifices to tyranny.
May not say to you, that in the future
which we are about to penetrate, next to
the reliance we should place in the goodness
Of that God, who will guide US in the right
way, should be, our confidence in our State,
and our obedience to its laws. We are
abou to sever our relations with others,
because they have broken their covenant
with US. Let US not break the covenant
we have made with each other. Let us not
forget that what the laws of our State re-
quire become our duties. And that be who
acts against the wish, or without the com.
mand of his State, usurps that sovereign
authority which we must maintain inviolate
At the conclusion of his remarks, his
honor laid aside his gown and retired.
A committee of the bar having been ap.
pointed to wait upon the Judge, Mr.. Will
klnson, as chairman, requested his honor to
resume his seat for few moments. Mr.
james Conner, district attorney, rose and
resigned his Office. Mr.. Campbell made an
address to Judge Magrath, expressing the
respect and esteem entertained for him by
the members of the bar. Mr.. Spratt also
made complimentary address.