The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-01-22
AN FRESHMAN SPEAKS.
Reply 10 Judge ThurmOnd's Alleged
Structures Upon the Irish.
DALLAS, TEXAS, January 81, 1876.
Editor Dallas Herald:

DALLAS, TEXAS, January 81, 1876.
City Editor Dallas Herald
Permit me to say to Mr.. Thurmond
through the medium of your valuable
paper, that in his address to the jury
in the case of Dill and Rice on last Sat
urday, he made use of some assertions
which carry to him rs author the oblo-
guy, contumely and eXecration Of all
fair-miuded thinking men In this com
munity. l am we'll aware, sir, that
lawyer pleading for the life OF fellow
man may be accorded u license in his
language in order to impress his views
favorably on the jury for the benefit of
his client; but, sir, | don't think it be-
coming man claiming 10 be Il gentle
man, and occupying the position in
our community Judge Thurmond's
ability entities him to, to thus wanton-
ly and deliberately cast such an insult
on the face of every Irish member of
the vast audience who crowded the
floor of the Courthouse on Saturday
evening. Sir, | would not thus public
ly seek to bring this matter before the
numerous readers of your popular pa
per were it not for the fact that these
assertions were listened to by
people whose homes are scatter
ed over our broad State, and who will
| hope, first consider the source, and
then take them for what they are
worth. assert, sir, Lawyer Thur
mond speaks falsely when he says an
lrishman's "idea of the rules of society
are to knock any man who differs
from his way of thinking, and then
offer him drink of whisky TO make
it all right" and equally malicious
when he says, 81 tell you, gentlemen,
nine-tenths of these people (meaning
Irish) are not capable of understanding
the common principles of our consti-
tNion.n What base attempt to viii
lily an industrious, intelligent and I'M
offending people. | opine, Mr.. Editor,
such has never been the character
which Irishmen would get from any
body of Texas people! Twill not quote
his aspersion on the Irish bar because,
sir, his legal associates know well the
high standing of that portion of the
fraternity, and Mr.. Thurmond will
wish often and in vain for the elo-
quence, true oratory and sparkling
wit which characterizes the Irish bar,
and l hold, sir, "Judge" Thurmond's
piece of sheepskin from his "alma
mater'' would stand poor show for
comparison, even for casual associa-
ton, if presented to the gentlemen
who have graced the benches of Irish
jurisprude nee. But, sir, | am credi-
bly, informed that Mr.. Thurmond very
often INDUCES in his animus whenever
public occasion offers for him to do
so with effect.
Let me tell the gentleman (wh0m
by the way love and respect as a law
YER that he is forestalling time by
these unmerited and unworthy asser-
tions; they will not accomplish the
end which he has in view. Sir, we as
a community, hope, are too liberal
in our principles to allow Known 9TH
ingism, Third-termism, or U. o. A.
ism to enter into any collision with
such cliques or disappointed aspirants.
Neither will it lead Mr.. Thurmond to
the coveted distinction which trusted
and true representatives of our glori-
Gus State at home and abroad will at
tain. Rather let me hope, sir, that in
this gentleman's assertions to all who
heard him, will bring q conviction
that Mr.. Thurmond forgot himself, and
in the heat of argument used express
sions which, while uncalled for, were
not premeditated.
Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for your
kind favor in thus affording me an OPP
portunity to speak in friendly and
dispassionatem manner of what many of
my countrymen looked upon as u most
fiagrant expression, calculated to con-
vey to an intelligent assemblage of
Dallas county people impressions inju-
rious to Irish intelligence and sterling
worth, / enclose you my name and adj
dress in full, and beg leave to sign my
self IRISH MECHANIC.