The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-01
NOVEL SCENE.
In cident IN n VIrginin Court-Judge Underwood
and Ex-(sOverDOr tIenry n. Wise.

In cident IN n virginia Court-Judge Underwood
and EX-CsOVernOr henry n. Wise.
In the United States Circuit Court, at Rich.
mond, recently, Judge Underwood rendered his
decision in the case of Captain William G.
Neins vs.. The steamer John Sylvester. The
plaintiff, an eX-Confederate officer, broke his
knee pan by stepping into q coalhole on the
steamer, sued the owners in November last for
$40 600 damages, got verdict tor $500, and a
motion for a new trial being now heard, the
court decided to present the epaintiff the alter
native of O new trial or receiving $4,000 instead
of $4,000 in acquittance. Ex-Governor Wise ap-
peared for the plaintiff.
In the course of the Judges remarks he gave
an account of his first coming to Virginia as n
teacher, thirty-seven years ago; the kindness
and courtesy shown him by distinguished gen.
tleman after arrival the services rendered by
him to this gentleman in political canvass; the
grateful return for these services; his subsequent
marriage, etc. He then adverted to the difficult
ties into which he fell on account of his anti
slavery sentiments
He expressed in the most glowing terms his
admiration for the talents, requirements, aud
character of Governor Wise, the leading counsel
for the plaintiff. He said that this admiration
had been formed years before he became per-
sonally acquainted with him, and with full
knowledge of his strong pro-slavery opinions;
that he attributed the difference in their opinions
on this subject entirely to their different educa-
tions and associations; that since Mr.. Wise had
commenced practising in his court he had always
treated him with the utmost kindness and
courtesy, and that their relations were most
agreeable.
At this point Governor Wise arose and stated
to the court that his hearing was imperfect and
that he had in this way failed to catch several
sentences of the Judges opinion. He had heard
the word slavery used. He asked what, in Gods
name, slavery had to do with the question of
common carriers liability? We had suffered
enough, In all conscience, already, from this
teterrimd cdlsd beli. For one, he accepted the
fact of its overthrow, and was willing to trust,
in good faith upon the new state of affairs.
He did not question the honesty of his Honors
sentiments on the subject. His own, though,
were very different on the institution as
established, although not, perhaps, so much so
on the question of the abstract right. But
this difference of opinion had been fatally and
finally ended. Negroes had become free citI-
zens, and he was willing that they should re-
main so. But the great question now was
whether millions of white men should remain
manacled slaves
Here Judge Underwood interrupted and stated
that he was in favor of universal suffrage and
universal amnesty. "Act with me-" said the
Governor, ION this platform; aid me in wrench
ing the fetters from these arms and from the
arms of my people, and we will fight out side by
side the great battle of American liberty" He
claimed that no power on earth, that no tyranny
or oppression, should ever keep him from using
both hand and tongue fearlessly in defense of
the broken liberties of the people. He denied
fere with the verdict of the jury on the law and
evidence. His argument was founded solely on
the law as expounded by its great lights, Kent
Story, Jones, Parsons and others.
He concluded by speaking in high terms OF
the kindness, courtesy and liberality of
of the bar, and of the pleasantness of their per-
sonal relations.
The incident occasioned much astonishment
among the auditors and members of the bar.