The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-06-11
@ II A RI E. S T O N
MONDAY MORNING, JUNE II, 1866.
JUDGE UNDER WOOD.

But for certain inheront peculiarities, incompati-
BILE with the sacred Office, We should say this dis
tinguished jurst has mistaken his vocation. Ho
preferred tho ermine, doubtless not thinking him
self worthy to be ga saint in lawn" But notwith-
standing he has cast his lot with the profane and
worldly, he never allows an opportunity to pass
unimprovod by homiletic exercise. These
mons are put forth under the name of Charges"
When the first Of these was delivered, we cannot
say with accuracy. The "charger" heretofore
has occupied an obscure position; may there-
fore be excused for not having closely followed the
several steps in his public career. We have an
indstinct recollection OF fret seeing his name in
the public prints, as the solitary delegate from
Virginia to the Black Republican Convention
that nominated Mr.. FREMONT This unimportant
item had passed into oblivion when the accidents
of our civil and social revolution again brought
this individual scum to the surface; now to be re-
warded for his protagonism in the Black Republi-
can ranks
If ever man owed his position to accident, UN-
pERwooD ia that man. He is altogether an extra
ordinarily ordinary man; and in normal state of
society could never have risen to distinction or
even notorety. And yet is he not altogether an
ordinary man. For il he were, he would conduct
himself with decency and propriety, and not pros
titute his high Office for the base purpose of ma
licously venting his long pent-up spite against
his fellow-citizens. An ordinary man pays regard
to public opinion; and does not wilfuly or need
lessly outrage all the most sacred feelings Of his
friends and neishbors. That Judge UNDERWOOD
has taken occasion to do all this, and to do it re-
peatedly and deliberately, proves him no ordinary
man. The New York Herald is not generally CON-
sidered very squeanlish on questions of social
propriety. Yet Judge UNDERWOOD shocks the
nerves Of even the Herald.
we say not this because we are in the least dis
loyal. On the contrary it is our loyalty takes
umbrage ut such LANGUAGE and conduct on the
part of q United States Judge. Mr.. UNDERWOOD
had perfect right to be an abolitionist, or any
thing else he liked; and to him doubtless be longs
the credit of having been an original Virginia
Unonist. He can moreover lay his hand on his
heart and thank his God in the market place Tor
| the Court Houset, that he never was as wicked as
these shareholders. This JUNCTION he can lay on
| his soul. But ought he not also to remember,
that slavery was one Of the lawful institutions Of
| the land; and that some very good people had
| been slave eholders2
We venture to say that even Mr.. UNDERWOOD,
jaundiced though his vision be, has known of
such. Is it decent, therefore, for him, citizen of
Virginia, and United States Judge, to attempt
to stir up tho prejudces of his jury and Of all tho
crowd of Northern Radicals against the people of
Richmond by saying that that city had '1ong
been the centre of tho greatest traffic in human
beings that ever disgraced the world; traffic
| which has employed many hundreds Of moral
monsters and many millions OF capital; subsidiz-
ing the press, pulpit and politics Of the State rem
| dering Richmond more infamous among men for
this great crime than oil the cities along the coasts
Of Senegambia, Upper and Lower Guinea, Congo,
Loango, Angola and Benguela combinedp"
The Judge is learned and travelled gentle
| man, and of course is quito familiar with the
crimes Of slavery all along the African coast. In
this he has the advantage over us. We know
| nothing of Senegambia, &C., &c.; but we do know
something of slavery as it existed in Richmond;
and with all due Difference to the opinion Of the
Judge, we humbly suggest that he is somewhat
mistaken in his estimate OF the horrors Of slavery
in that city.
We will say nothing here of the chaste and clas-
| sc references the Judge made in his ''chsrge" at
Norfolk to the evils of the "Institution'-then as
now gratuitous and uncalled for. These remarks
were indecent t-obscene. No gentleman would
| have been guilty Of such utterances. Yet the
Judge doubtless considered it his duty to launch
| these envenomed shafts at-the mother Of WASH
INaToN, JEFFERSON, PATRICK HENRY, MADISON,
York Herald, remarking on the above African,
geographical quotation, says 'sHs violent de-
nuncis tions of Richmond and it's people en- masse
were better adapted for stump speech from
Parson BnowNLow, or lecture from that untam-
able shrew, WENDELL PHILLIPS, or for such a
savage as Judge JEFFREYs on his bloody assize,
than for United States Court upon case of
treason.
And yet are thero some who find ground for ad-
miration in the character and conduct Of Judge
UNDERWOOD. We honestly confess that we are
not OF this number Tom PAINE, JOHN WILKES,
and LLOYD GARRISON, have, in q measure, ocou-
pied similar positions to their times and genera
tions. They enjoyed tho honor Of holding opin-
ions, shared by very few cotemporsries But We
do not think that history accords them a high
place in consequence OF their disregard of public
opinion. And yet must we crave pardon of the
shades Of these worthless for comparing with
them this new made model OF Judge. If there
is a sublmity in impudence, Judge UNDERWOOD
has certainly reached it. We remember nothing
more shameless, devoid of heart and feeling,
in man Of such high and dignified position, since
the days Of JEFFREYs.
What he remarked to his jury, regarding the
threats used against him and them by parties in
Richmond attempting to intmidate them,-is
quite OF a piece with tho remainder Of his char
or NIAL L,1x.l. 4