The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-09
The National IntelliEcncer On Under
wood-A Political Judge.

We nuhlish this morning the remarkable
charge of Judge Underwood to the grand
iurv Mt Richmond. There may be parti-
sans who will pronounce this an exhibition
of nerve and manliness; but we are sorry
for them, as We are profoundly sorry that
a Judge of q court Of the United States
found il comport with his ideas Of judicial
impartiality and professional dignity to de-
liver political harangue from the bench
which we will not permit ourselves to
characterize in the terms it deserves. IL
the wholesale villifcation OF an entire
community was true, II the tribute paid
the notorious spokesman Of confiscation
was deserved, there could be no possible
excuse for them coming from the lips Of
one sworn to administer justice In the very
court over which he is called to preside.
As it is, history will take care Of the man
who has permitted the politician to absorb
the judge, and the very enormity of the Of
fence of one who thus prostitutes the
bench Of justice to the base purposes OF
party should lift the people whom he ma
ligns above the affront he seeks to put
upon them, and should awaken a univer-
sal feeling Of indignation throughout the
nation, whose honor is assailed by the
gross misconduct Of one of its judicial re-
presentatives.-ISS 8h.
This harangue not only exhibits the lg-
norance of Underwood, but directly shows
that his conception of all the principles OF
law and reason have escaped him, if ever
his wool gathered Uranium was inhabited
by any such wisdom. 1t was his duty to
have charged the jury as to the imporr,,
lance of such momentous questions as Will
probably be presented to their considera-
ton. but instead of such advice this po-
litical Judge advances opinions when, upon
the whole, are not only disgraceful 10 MS
own responsibility, but to that OF the
American people, when he deliberately
charges that "half the births were lllegltl-
mate" in the city of Richmond. Such a
charge upon what all men know to be one
of the most respectable communities IN
the State, and where reside the descend
ants of the most highly -honored men OF the
National Republic. is direct charge OF
infamy to the escutcheon Of the American
people. This mans "pedigree is too
we'll known at home to occupy the thoughts
of our people for an instant; but when a
person representing the judicial branch OF
Government so far forgets himself as 10
maliciously assail the chastity of the ma
ton and the capital of the home of the
Father of his Country, he should be cor
rected. When he states deliberately,
without regard to COLOR" that half the
births are Legitimate, he deliberately ut
tiers that which he knows to be false. his
career in this State is too well known to
he easily forgotten. He came here a
stranger, apparently beggar, as an ltine-
rant teacher of "morals and the rudl-
ments of the English language; he in
gratiated himself into the affections OF
Virginia lady, by whom he obtained slave
property: he also purchased others, and
when the question of principle Us. inte-
rest arose, this now swelling philanthroplst
disposed of his negroes upon the highest
market price, to save his interest at the
expense of bis principle, no matter how
paradoxical the proposition and transac-
ton may appear. When he speaks OF the
prostitution of the ministry and pulpit, he
commits graver, more gorgeous, sin than
has ever been committed. A more tho
roughly religious set of Christians than the
ministers of Richmond are not to be found.
They hardly, if ever, have preached poll
tics. but have confined themselves to the
saving of the souls of men. When he at
tempts to censure the press he makes him
self perfect laughing stock. He has been
abused for his ignorance and his impu-
dence in pretending to occupy the place
he unworthily fills, and for which ne is SO
poorly qualified. He is man OF small
calibre, and is so regarded in this commu-
nity by sensible men. His origin is doubt
full. and his future certain. l only hope
that hereafter his associates may be per-
sons after his own heart, and with whom
his learning will be appreciated and MS
philanthropy recognized.-OccaSionaG IN
National Intelhgencer.