Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-11-02

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ptoachable morals. lie had sat In the
Congress Of 10 and signed the Declaration
of independence, and had by his zeal and
energy done wonders in redeeming Mary
land from British and Tory sway and
bringing her over to the side of American
liberty. He bad, by hard work, sharp
figuring and legal shrewdntss, secured
for his State debt of S050.oOo due her in
England before the Revolution. Not n
man of grester ability and patriotism then
sot on the judicial bench in our land. His
faults were ultra Federal notions, an abusive
tongue and quick temper. The great
public services of the accused the nation
al eminence Of the tribunal; the excited
state OF party feeling, we'll represented by
the celebrated John Randolph, of Roam
oke, as accueer on the part of the House.
and the continuance of the trial for nearly
a mouth-all these combined to make q
most notable and interesting case. 1t was
State trial deserving the brilliant desorip-
tive pen of Motley or Macaulay. Judge
Chase was allowed ono month to prepare
bis defence, and, in consideration of bis age
and infirmities, he was seated in the centre
of the area Of the Senate chamber, in front
of the Vice.President. That officer was
the black sheep Of our early politics,
Aaron Burr, who, with prospects and repu-
tation blasted by his Southern filibustering
and his murder of Alexander Hamilton.
yet praised with all his wonderful dignity.
tact and grace. There were eight articles
of impeachment Large numbers of wit
nesses We're examined on both sides, and
the forensic displays remind one of Warren
Hastings trial in England, ten years be-
fore. Chase's counsel were three most able
lawyers-Luther Martin, of Maryland;
Charles Lee, late United States Attorney
General; and Robert Goodloe Harper, a
former Federal leader in the House. Ran
do'ph bad Elk Representative to help him
manage the case, aud he never had
more exciting theme for his peculiar sar-
casm.
Article I charged Judge Chase with uu.
fairness and oppression at the trial of John
Fries for treason, in 1900, whereby the ac-
cused Was condemned to death without
having been heard By counsil in bis de-
fence. On this article, there were. l6 Sen
ators for conviction and lls for acquittal.
Article II charged him with arbitrary rul-
ing 10 regard to juryman, at the trial of
James T. Calender for libel on President
Adams, in 1900. There we're 10 Senators
for conviction and "a for acquitlal. Arti-
Gle liz charged that at the same trial the
Judge had upjustly excluded the evidence
of material witness for the defence. For
Article ~ charged him, at the came time;
with manifest injustice, impartiality and
'ntemperauce,' in refusing postponement ;
in the use Of unusual, rude and contemp-
tuous expressions to the prisoners counsel,
in repeated and vexa.ious interruptions,'
and in IAN indecent solieitude' for the con-
viotion Of the accused. For conviction.
ls; for acquittal, 1e. Article v charged
him with illegally refusing to admit Cal.
lender to bail. Acquitted unanm ously.
Article vi charged the Judge with illegal
ly burrying up Csllender's trial at the
term of court when he was indicated.
For conviction, 4; for acquiital,: 20. Ar.
ticle VII charged him with descending
from the dignity Of judge and stopping
to the level Of an informer, by refusing to
discharge grand jury at New Castle, Del.
aware. because they did not indict a sedi-
tious printer. For conviction, 10; ;for ac-
quittaI, "a. Article VIII charged him
with making highly indecent, intemper-
ate and infsammatory political barangue'
to grand jury at Baltimore, attacking
the legislation Of Congress, apd opposing
certain reforms in the State Constitution in
Maryland, thus prostisuting the high judi
c'al character with which be was Invested
to the low purpose Of an electiopeerine
partisan. for conviction. 10; for aequittal,
10, A two-thirds vote, of the Senators
present not being given in support of aoy
article Of inpesohment Judge Chase was
acquitted throughout. he held bis .eat
on the supreme bench during the re-.
naming Elk years Of bis lie. =, -. -
The impsaohmens thougbouffs.f tbrouoh
in Legal point Of view, yetI had !. .'.ap good
reaols is checking that judicial an arrogance,
'Dsolence and spi'isof biros.b .bsa,iplg which
some magistrates diapiayed, or ,hough The
nsiss'y Of tho law nssdsf intsljessuaf rue.
aanism to support Il. No Judge, lss,s b, de
last s'zty years excepting two or three, 10
fugitive slave law tiuaas, hiss ssss dssIsout
,poIis'ssl slang from The beech, or. st.s.nps-