The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-03-28
Judge Aldrich'S Address to the
z.zz Grand Jury.
VOLUME II.


q G&kAW - SAA y
e~stgzatlemszs OF the Grand Jury
Aftef the toll and suffering of four years
. RELENTLESS war-after the devastation and al
2 most utter ruin that gour beloved State has
undergone after our frank acknowledgment
sSfisilure and defeat, and the general and
truthful acceptatiou of the coalition in which
the result of the war has placed US, hoped
and believed that generous enemy would
- not only permit US to solve the great problem
;. >of emancipation, and to commence the great
work Of retrieving our lost and ruined for
ganes; but tfat they would hberally extend
Ito as their MD and sympathy believed
thia. because the strong are generally gene
y qous: because the war was waged to pre-
serve the Union: because of the ancient
memories; glorieS and tfiumphs of the Repnb-
he: because of the feelings and associations
= which not even the war had destroyed :: be-
cause cur coastancy and sincerity had been
proved on every battle field and because, in
proof Of that sincerity, nearly every family
in the South is clad in the habtiments OF
mourning. With these feelings and senti,
Essaeais cur people hailed gladly the pFoclama-
ton Of the President, and heard with Joy his
SiecIaration that aft becomes Necessary and
= proper 10 carry cut and enforce the Obligations
- of the United States to the people of South
&c rSliaa, in securing them in the enjoyment Of
a-Fepoblicsn form of government" and imme-
diasesy, under the proclamation of Provisional
.ssFSoyernor Perry, went into Convention, alter
ed and amended their Constitutional d passed
.s-sssssch ordinances as they were led to believe
syxauld. quickly restore them to.thcir-rigtrtS n
the Uuion as a PEOPLE, and to their position
.Ssas 4 State. Our Judges were required to open
esa=she Cnurfs-our Legislature was invited TO
enact laws suitable to the altered condition Of
y. aoeiety-aud all classes urged TO commence
sesss$hs work af recoperatiou and reconstruction.
As.xe commenced the, revolution in good
Saith, so we accepted our ftilurc and defeat in
jEosd faith, aud have earnestly, truthfAlly and
60 IasRfully ceme up to all the requirements of
.thslgsea& occasion. But what is the spectacle
to-day 2 Martial law prevails, and even the
g solemn Judgments and sentences Of the Courts
"a are iaterfered With and prevented without
excuse = - )
Under these circumstances, it is now my
- p4iafni duty to bring to your notice conflict
4eTzof authority between the civil authorities Of
= the State, and the military authorities of the
: United States, which has lately occurred in
f Charleston, and which, in my opinion, makes
itnot only useless bat huniliating for the
Judges to attempt the administration of JUS
4iee. At that Court some persons were tried
pad convicted of larceny and receiving stolen
3: (. ,ds The punishment provided by the la~
ffor these crimes is whipping and imprison-
3esso1l elt Atfhe close of the Court the pris-
oners were brought up for sentence, and
cEssSSmposed the punishment prescribed: The
next morning these sentences were published
80 The daily newspapers of the city. That
esxiay, n Twas informed by the Deputy Sheriff,
solder mas sens to the Court House to re.
qairsmy immediate attendance before Gen.
eys.Bennett, the officer in command of the Dis
s xsict. Upon being informed that I had ad-
journed the Court he retired, and in an hour
SrtKo returned; stiH not finding me at the
Court House be was directed to my lodgings.
AGteF waiting there some time to see me, l
being out, be vas questioned again by the
Depusy Sheriff, who informed him that it was
not probable / would return again before
night, and who proposed to the soldier to
leave the paper which he had for me with
hirr and he would hand it to me on my re-
turn. The soldier replied that he had no
. PAGER or letter for me. The next morning
the man called again and shown to my
room. He produced the following paper
which was addressed to Judge Aldrich.
s"HDexs, PRoyosT MARsuALs OFFICE,
z..n s+=s& ~ Military District of Charleston,
80 Charleston, S. G., Feb. If, 1866.
Hon. - AldFich, Charleston, S. 6.
The Bvt Brig. Gen. Commanding directs
me TO present his compliments and desires to
see you at his Office Immediately.
-. Very Respectfully, !.
FRANK GEtSE, &.
... 1st Lieut. n. Wv. v, =
.- Provost Marshal" :.
10 which returned the following reply:
"MRs. GIDIEREs Charleston, Broad,st.,
~. lG February, 1866.
SIR, have just received your note inform
ing me that the Br'xt Brig Gcnl. Command
ing desires to see me at his Office immediately.
respectfully inform you, that if had any
Business With the General would promptly
cSll upon him for its transaction. But as