The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-21
For the Western Democrat.
MILITARY TITLES.

NOW that the election is over, ana our people
have for time concluded to let politics 50 "where
the Danish King babe the Physician throw his
physick," propose to relieve the tedious monoto-
ny Of every day life, by asking question:
Why IS ;. that every other man IN South Caro-
Ina has Military Title?
Is it because most of her sons Of the old
revolutionary stock, and hold title by right Of in
hertance! Or is it on account Of their love Of
the Militia System, which has made so many of
her sons Generals, Colonies, Captains, &c, who
believe in what old Maj Jack Downing said, ''once
major always a major" still hold the title after
the term Of office has expired? Or is it not rather
to be found in the judicial sanction of learned
functionary Of that government, whose ipse dicit
as Speaker of the House of Representatives, made
men military characters noicnS roiens?
A friend has placed in my hands a work, well
worthy the careful pcrusal of every South CAROLYN
ian, entitled Biographical Sketches of the Bench
and Bar Of South Carolina, by Jno. Bolton ONeal,
i. l.. d." in which, among many other good
things, the following incident in the life OF Judge
John Geddes of Charleston, is related.
while Gov. Geddes Speaker, it was his
habit to address every member by some military
title This often led to ludcrous IN stakes. Capt
John Henderson, member from Newberry, allu-
ding to this, said, "The Speaker calls James Will
liams, Colonel, when," said he "he was never any
called" said he, "Major Henderson, and never
anything but poor Captain" brother
Kcnner,' said he, lis called CAPTAIN Kenner; he
never was anything but Sergeant, and he was
broke ut tie first MUSTER"
This occurred as early as 1910; and so we find
even at that early day they had majors, captains
and sergeantS; but the Speaker 'virtute oficii"
had power, it seems to make military officers by
his t'sc dici.
b,,- Al Al r
Speaker would have been not only abridged, but
entirely destroyed, by resolution which certain
j. w. Yancey in 1916, moved should be passed,
Gas if to rebuke generous old Geddes,) to-wit:-
"that hereafter member should be addressed by
the title "Mister," and by none other" But such
is the fancy Of South Carolina friends for mill
tary glory and military tRes Mr. Yancey's resolu-
ton seems to have fallen still-born upon the popu-
lar car.
From that day forward, every mothers son of
them, whether 10y appointment, gift, neigh6orhood
nickname, or by inheritance as "noble sons of
noble sires, are in title at least if not entitled to
it, military characters.
There is, however, no danger Off her Future be
what the Past has JeroredO but what South Caro-
lina though having call Captains" will have some
privates-privateS as the bloody field of Churu-
busco can tell, who dare follow where any Cap
tain may dare lead ii.
\ NORTH CARoLINIAN RECEIVERS HIS SLAVE.
"A few days ago, says the Washington Constitu-
ton of Saturday, white man calling himself
Ephraim Haleck, and hailing from New York, was
arrested in this city on the charge of kidnapping
negro. It leaked out that the negro had said he
was a slave, and belonged to John A Sprui, of
Columbia, Tyrrcll county, North Carolina. Upon
this suspicion they were both arrested by officer
Allen, and committed to Jail by justice DOM for
furt ;nf
ton, Mr. SpruiI came to this city, and the case
was examined before justice Dom. The slave I'M
mediatel recognised his master and seemed to be
quite delighted to see him and told him how he
desired to return to North Carolina and be forever
free from the clutches Of the abolitionsts From
the evidence adduccd before justice Donn it was
evident that the slave was Mr. Spruills property.
Mr. S. stated that he had every reason to believe
that the negro his property. When asked
if he had ever seen IIaeck before said he thought
he had, but would not be positive Col Wheeler
appeared as counsel for Spruill, and Messrs Miller
and Carusi for defendant. Justice Donn ordered
the negro to return to his master, Mr. Spruill, and
they both left in the afternoon train for North
Carolina. IIalleck was remandcd to Jail to await
the rcquisiton of the governor for his return TO
North Carolina, where he will be tried for the OF
fence against the laws Of the State.
DIEr.-In Newborn, on the 18th inst William
H. Washington, well known a distinguished
lawyer, and for many years representative in
Congress from this District, Many will admire
and remember his fine talents, his goodness of
heart and social qualities GoldsLoro Tribune
Oar TRADE ecjM North Carolina The trade
between the southern portion of North Carolina
end Norfolk has increased to such an extent that
our merchants have been compelled to increase
their tacilities.-Noyorh Day Book