Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-13

BY GEORGE N. ARNOLD.

The first colored man that has
ever been permitted to be a lawyer |
in North Carolina, or admitted to
practice in her State courts, is Hon.
Geo. L. MADISON, of New Hanover
county. Mr.. MADISON graduated at |
Howard University in the class OF
1871, and was examined and IL
censed by the Judges of the Supreme
Court of North Carolina, at Raleigh,
June 16, 1871, ito practice law in
all the courts of the State" The
Judges of the Supreme Court of
North Carolina are all Southern
white men, of moderate Republican
views, and it is well known that
they tested young MADISON well be-
fore they said yes. Many OF his
friends thought he could not pass
as these judges would require him
to do; but, acting like true and
honorable men to their calling, they
only demanded Of Mr.. MADISON what
they did of white men-proof of
good moral character and sufficient
knowledge Of the law to justify their
favorable action. All this Mr.. Nab
son had; and to-day the march OF
progress adds another star to her
galaxy-a colored man OF respect
ability and standing has law office
in the city "lown by the sea-!
When the reconstruction acts
took effect in this State, Gen. Joseph
C. Abbott secured Mr.. MADISON
position in Washington, with the
understanding that he was to devote
his leisure hours to the study OF
law; and now what pleasure it
must be to Gen. Abbot, who has
been Mabson's benefactor these four
wears, to walk by the courthouse
and read that sign: "George L. Mab-
SON, Attorney md Counsellor at Ld'c.
In politics Mr.. MADISON has been'
and is now, the recognized leader
of the colored people of the eastern
part of the State. In the very heat
, of battle. beginning at 1867 down
to the present moment, he has been
a bold, daring, and chivalrous mem
ber of the q lvanced radical idea o1
reconstructing the insurgent States
8 to their forfeited relationship with
> the Federal Government While hi
, is q bitter political foe. still he ha'
. qualities that make hum respected
by his enemies. In manner he Il
, dignifed, and is recognized in thu
State as one of the colored men o
o q "high sense of honor; is a membe
of the Baptist Church, and regarded
:. "a n man of strict morals and IN
e tegrity.
1 Last August he was elected to tn
q lower house of the General AS
: -lsemby, and from the date he wa
O sworn in till the close of the session
: he was the recognized leader OF tn
colored members. His speech o.
a the illegaity Of the convention bi
= was rated as 6rst-class by the paper
o of both parties in the State.
!, In January last he was almof
IS unanimously elected President {
d of the State Labor Bureau OF Mort
,e Carolina. Since the death OF th
nj lamented S.nator Galloway IL
:, colored people of this State hay
looked upon Mr.. MADISON as the
& political leader. ,.
10 One of the Democratic papers
Wilmington - the Star noticir
ce Mr.. Mabson's admission to the Da
DO says: 80 ,.aA
ia "The efforts Of George l.. Ma
se son, the colored member from Il
IN county. in the last Legislature vi
,g has been making application I
bel license to practice law have at Ia
ur lbeen rewarded with success !
n, qualified before the Supreme Gov
tie now in session at Raleigh on t
ed 18th inst; his certificate which v
i signed by Justices Pearson hea.
, al Rodman, and Dick. authorizes b
or TO practice Law in al the courts
,olt the State. Justice Boyden, ben
'er sick, was not present.