Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-08-14
a CARD.
Mr.. EDrToR-:


for one paper in our midst, and that
the Southern Standard, 1 conclude TO
ask from you the privilege of referring
to it again through your columns.
In the last issue of the same, friend
johnson with his usual ambition to
enlighten the public mind stated among
other things the following:
But now the case is before the other
Trial Justice, to be tried by a jury.
Forty-seven witnesses came up from
Lands end and the country roundabout
so of course there is a nice little bill
for the County Commissioners to take
into consideration. We believe it is
plan to swindle the county. But the
trial commenced before the greatest
legal luminary in town. We heard
one patriarchal colored man, his wool
white as the astrachan, positively assert
that he knew de bull before his moder
war born,n and an old lady "knew de
moder before de bull war BORN"
All of which may be very becoming
and creditable to the Editor. 10 my
mind however, unlimited in the
mysteries of editorial life, it seems to
be hardly the thing for a person
occupying the peculiar position now
held by said editor to give much pub
licity to his thoughts about sohits acooI
or to put words in the mouths of our
Colored Citizens whereby they are
made to appear mere babes of ignor-
ance aud simplicity.
From the language used it appears
as though the modern solon, (be
frequently feels competent to criticize
in matters of law was present at the
trial and that the counsel and jurors
had spent their time in listening to
senseless twaddle and not evidence, and
that all engagedin the suit had wilfully
or unwittingly lent themselves to a
"plan TO swindle the county"
In answer to the same, suffice it to
reply, that any individual, in any
community, can, provided he has a
sufficiently morbid and unhumanit-
rian spirit actuating him perform a
like valorous deed. TO my mind how
ever, presiding as did at the court in
which the case was tried, and consider
ing the character Of the witnesses as
they came before me, such assertions
are cruelty unjust and unwise.
In the first place if we have co|ored
men among US worthy Of, and entitled
to respect and credit on the witness
stand, then surely some of the thrifty,
intelligent or venerable appearing ones
present at the time in question, have
right to expect, from these profes-
sedly their friends, such statement
of their actions when engaged in
matter of all absorbing interest to
them as will not by implication char
aclcrize them as wanting in common
sense or else honesty of purpose.
for one have never believed in any
snch political economy, as epgenders
cast and fosters prejudice among that
portion of our body polite, but instead
would unfurl our proud stars and
stripes and invite their knowledge and
attention 10 what L deem republican
ism, to wit: The opportunity for ev
cry person clothed in Gods image to
develop his manhood to the greatest
length aud breadth possible, according
to the mental power aud the industry
and perseverance exerted 10 develop
the same.
To further consider the quotation, I
will add that fam not advised as to the
EDITORS legal adviser, bat to judge from
my humble standpoint, and not his
own sarcastic estimate when placing
me before the community as the
"brightest legal luminary" therein, l
should say thathe (his adviser had not
attained to the distinction Of Black
stone. or else that there was an incom-
potency on the part of his pupil, or a
mixed condition of the cerebral being
at the time of receiving the lesson.
Lam forced to this belief simply be-
cause an action TO 'recover possession
of ersonal property" like that where
the question of title to real property is
involved, without fraud alleged, can
be none other than a civil suit, and as
such the costs can in no way fall upon
the county, and SO plain a proposition
is this, that an office boy of two months
standing in any lawyers Office should
have learned as much, or else, like the
son of an English gentleman, of whom
l once read, who had been sent by his
father because Of his stupidity, to a
noted instructor of youths with the
statement that he had talent, but it
was wrapped in napkin and must be
shaken that it might be developed.
He was sent to his progenitor with the
assertion that the napkin enveloping
his talent had been shaken and the
talent not found, and 80 he was re-
tnrnei as useless timber.
Justice prompts me to add to my