Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-11-08

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT-JUDGE BROOKS
CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY.--Hls Honor, Judge
Brooks, having arrived, this Court was opened at
the usual hour Tuesday morning. A Grand Jury
consisting of the following named gentlemen, were
empanneled and sworn Isaac B. Kelly, Foreman;
Thos. G. McIJhenny, IL. W. Herring, Jno. A. Nc
Arthur, Wesley Hodge, David Clarke, JOS T.
Bunting, ". H. Herring, j. P. Alexander, Benz,
White, Thos. NJ. Culberth, Jno. Il. Ezzell, Jesse
Lancaster, D. j. Middleton, d. s. Cowan, Lotte
Groom, Alfred Johnson, Henry Grimes, 3. F.
Nixon.
The Judge then proceeded to deliver his charge
which was quite lengthy i'll it's nature. He first
alluded to the protection Of the rights of person
and property The necessity which gave rise to
the formation of governments in the earlier ages
and the happiness which well organized and
directed governments afford citizens. Greece in
its earlier days, alluded to- when devotion to
their country characterized it's citizens its pro
gress i'll the sciences and it's claim to the title of
the Nursery OF Arts" The early republic of
Rome was also alluded to in this connection and
the ultimate fall of these governments brought
about by their own citizens, pointed out Ameri-
cans should look to these republics and see the
unWlse policy by which they foil, and gain wisdom
from their example The bright career and pros
perlty OF this broad American land, when we all
were proud OF the title of an American citizen
was reviewed, and the existence and strength of
the harmony which then pervaded the land dwelt
on to a considerable extent. But the standard Of
rebellion had been raised, to suppress which the
country had been ruined and millions of treasure
expended, and thousands of lives lost. In this
dire conflict we have seen brother arrayed against
brother, neighbor against neighbour each denounc-
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Courts were pcwerless, the officers were unable
to execute processes, civil law was silent and an
archy ruled long il section which was once the
most law-abiding. Happily for us the great re-
belilon has been suppressed no armed resistance
to the government has been made for more than
two years. Our people should by this time have
forgotten and mutually forgiven past Injuries, and
endeavored to unite and restore the prosperity of
the country. Unhappily for US these hopes have
not been realized. Unfortunate as this may be it
is but the natural, legitimate results OF the civil
war. Our forefathers knew that dissension would
arise that the spirit of free people is often tur-
bulent, and made for us d Constitution that
admirable charter OF liberties. These
remarks the jury were told were applicable
to their duties, Ill that if they performed their
duty faithfully they would add much towards
sustaining the Government and overcoming the
ravages of civil war. If this Government were
discontinued, his Honor went on to say, when and
where would another arise to dispute the rights |
Of Kings and succor the oppressed? We can do |
much Chief Justice Marshall, Of the Supreme |
Court of the United States, had once remarked |
we have a Constitution the limits of which no
man can transcend. Would, his Honor remark
ed thai its limits had not been transcribed, for
if not transcribed our country would not be in
its present state. The restraints imposed by the
Constitution upon the Executive and Congress 7