Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-10
JUDGE TnIGG.
From the Bristol Courier.


The following address, presented by the
Grand Jury to Judge c. F. Trigg, of the
United States Circuit Court for the District
of Tennessee, at the late session of the same
at Knoxville, is a deserved compliment to
that gentleman, who is q citizen of Sullivan
county, as well as a true and correct state
ment of the present condition Of affAirs in
East Tennessee. Signed, as it is, by prom
inent gentlemen hailing from all parts of
East Tennessee, representing every shade
of political opinion, we deem it worthy Ct
place in our columns:
To HIS HONOR, JUDGE c. F. TRIGG:
We, the undersigned, having served as
Grand Jurors under your immed inshE
tons now more than forty days past, ana
having discharged the duties assigned to Us
faithfully as we think, certainly to the best
ofoUr knowledge and belief, come now to
surrender the powers which have been dele
gated TO us, and TO bid you an official fare
well.
Impressed, as we are, with the belief that
in all human probability We shall never all
meet again in the same relations which are
now being dissolved, and representing, as we
do, every quarter of East Tennessee, and
almost every shade of political faith, We
feel that it is due alike TO you and to the
country at large, that we should place upon
record our views and personal kro 8ledIe
Of the present condition of East Tennessee,
as contrasted with what it was a few brief
years ago, when your Honor first assumed
the judicial ermine amongst us.
Unhappily it is but too well remembered
by US all that the close Of the late war found
this particular section Of our once favored
land, torn and distracted, and, every way,
in a most deplorable condition. Our people
had been divided in their political seIt-
ments. This had been the theater of many
and sanglunary conflicts. Brothers had
literally met brothers in deadly strife, and
the dearest ties Of kindred and friendship
had been severed by the sword. During
several years these conflicts bau
alinrnated in their results, and as
tie fiery waves would ebb and flow over
the land, the blackness of desolatiou and
ruin would be soon followed by the still
more dark and dreadful wave of human
passion and vengeance. Society was every
where corrupt and demoralzed, all laws,
both human and Divine, seemed for time,
TO be forgotten, and hope itself had well
nigh left the patriotic heart.
This is but faint sketch Of our actual
condition when your Honor returned
amongst us, bearing the power and author
ity of a great and parental government. /
We doubt if any judge, since the fOunda-
ton # our Government, ever had a more
difficult or delicate task TO perform. We
doubt if any judge ever performed that
task with more fidelity or success. Sur |
rounded on sil sides by the still fierce and |
active factions, (maddened by examinations |
g nd recTiminatiOns,) your every movement |
was watched with jealousy any suspicion, |
an criticised with INSCRIPTIONS freedom. |
Eve Y act of necessary firmness aid deciS- /
ion was construed into tyranny and oppres- /
sio 2, and every enc Of moderation and /
Clemency into weakness aud partially.
Stil amid it all, ard Indifferent alike TO !
the threats or the flaltery Of the desperate 1
and INSCRIPTIONS, you pursued the even |
tenor of your way, and without fear, favor /
or affection, administered the law firmly, |
though tempered. with mercy, until to-day, /
we can unhesitatingly declare that a more |
free, contented, industrious, united and law /
abiding people can no where be found with .
in the borders Of our vast Republic, from /
the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Proudly /
may the East Tennesseean now stand, once |
more, upon his native mountain top, and |
slahcing down our beautiful valleys, from .
johnson to Hamilton, eXclaim in the full /
ness of his heart, Gan her ways are ways /
of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace"
To the spirit, frmness and wisdom Of
your administration, under Divine Provi- /
dence, we feel bound to attribute many Of .
these happy results: aud We sincerely pray /
that your life may be spared TO Us and TO /
yoyr country, and that when you go hence, /
YOU may receive the plaudits of q grateful 1
people-"Well done, thou good and faithful /
servant"
We are pleased TO add our testimony 10 .
the courtesy, activity and zeal of all the Of
fee: of your court with whom We have |
come in contact, and again bidding you and /
them farewell, we remain very respectfully, |
Your obedient servants,
William Mullinix, foreman; VIM. Akin,
James Z. Luttrell, Peter NJ. Reeves, John
e. King, F. w. Taylor, ST., J. j. Craig, J.
s. Trotter, NJ. P. Boreing, Robert Dossett,
ID. G.. Bowers, j. n. Bewley, ir., ThOs. 5.
Smvth, John Il. Schultz, @. w. Jones, r.
d. Wheeler, Alvin Barton, R. 6. Neither
land, r. P. Lloyd, J. A. ASbry.