Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-16

From the Boston Advertiser
Massachusetts, men have been IN the
way of hearing at times within the past
few years a good deal of james L. Peti-
gru, of Charleston, the venerable Union
man who preserved both his loyalty and
the respect and Difference of his rebellious
fellOw-citizens. Dir. Petigru, who held
the first rank at the South Carolina bar
for many years, and after having been
attorney general, was employed even dur
ing the rebellion TO codify the laws of the
State, died in March, 1868, in his seventy
FORTH year, sincerely lamented by u com
munity which had never ceased to revere
his virtues, or honor his powers, or love
his genial character, in spite of his open
refusal to join in a madness which thirty
years before he had resisted with the full
ness of his strength. In October, 1858,
died also the venerable William I. Gray
son, born a year earlier than Mr.. Petigru,
but his lifelong friend and associate. Mr..
Grayson left behind him, written in the
last few months of his life, on such scraps
of paper as fell in his way during the
siege Of Charleston, q little biographical
sketch of Mr.. Petigru, which has just been
published by Harper & Brothers.
There is u pleasant old world flavor
about Mr.. Grayson's sketch; it contains
much interesting "Reminiscences, and an
agreeable, tolerably distinct, though not
very full picture of the character of the
man whom his old neighbor, Alfred HUI
ger, said he never knew any single man
who was as near being an institution by
himself" Some anecdotes of Carolina
society interpreted in the story of one o.
u truest and most consistent patriots
make this little book q most satisfactory
contribution to current literature. One OF
the anecdotes we will give to our readers.
1t was a principle with Mr.. Petigru never
10 desert a friend, and if an old Union man
fell into trouble always to give him help:
at was in this way that he gave his
professional aid some time afterward to
an old Union man in the case of the State
versus James Clark. 1t was imputed
TO Clark that he was of negro blood. Mr..
Petigru defended his claims to citizenship
and political rights. After one or two
witnesses had been heard on the part Of
the State, Captain Resrden, a portly man,
with a broad, good-humored face, was
placed on the stand The Attorney-G Gen
eral, Baily, inquired whether the witness
knew james Clark, Certainly he re-
2 No DO you know his mother
Yes. What is she, white or negrey
Niger And the examination ended
on the part of the State. Mr.. Petigru
then commenced the crcss-examinatiOn in
his usual deliberate fashion. Capt. Rear
den, 1 am told that you have the honor to
ill a number of important offices in the
service of the State Don't know
what you mean, Mr.. Petigru.' We'll,
then, to be more definite, you hold the
of captain of a company in
militia Of South Carolina Yes, sir;
held 1t ever since 1 was twenty-one.'
Has Jim Clark ever turned out in the
ranks under your commando ALWAYS,
missed; regular as anybody
Very well. You are One of the managers
Of election, also, | believe, Capt. Rearden?'
Just so; always am they will appoint
me at Columbia all 1 can do Have YOU
ever, while serving as manager, received
Jim Clarks vote at the polls 2 Certain
ly, sir he always votes punctual, just like
musters; never falls That will do
said Petigru Il have nothing more to
ask But, SIR the captain replied hur-
suspeeting something amiss-stop,
siri maybe you don't understand let me
sir. In our parish everybody
and everybody votes except the
ield-hands. That is the reason, sir, the
Union party, you know, always beat Us
elections. The explanation was made
perfect simplicity. The captain
merely assigned the mode in which his
was defeated, without suspecting
apparently that there was anything amiss
n it. 1t was the approved custom of his
against which he had no notion of
protesting, but was anxious only that Mr..
Petigru should understand the nature and
,xtent of their privileges"
This anecdote of the success Of South
C%arolinians in c~Onquering their p~reiudices
lnder the influence of political excitement
uggests an inquiry as to what they may
It some future day be willing and even
clad to do, when stress of politics shall
lgain make a vote valuable irrespective of
he color Of the hand which throws it.