Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-16
RECALLING THE PAST.
A Native of Savannah Visits the Scenes
of His Youth After an Absence of Many
Years.

Years.
On revisiting my native city-Savan-
nah-and in passing down the once ia
miliar streets, hut which now, after a
lapse of more than thirty years, show many
wonderful changes and improvements
concluded that few "reminiscences Of the
days of ''long ago" might prove of some
interest to the generation which has since
appeared on the stage of action.
Walking into the Superior Court room,
where Judge Adams presides with ability
and dignity, memory instinctivelY went
back more than three decades, when the
Hon. w. B. Fleming sat encircled with the
ermine on that same bench, and who,
after a retirement of a quarter of Gen.
fury, became the Cincinnatus of Georgia,
in being called forth by a generous people
from the pillow handles to again put on the
ermine, and to represent them for short
time in the halls of Congress.
In those days there were giants Of the
law sitting in those same places where
now sit few of their surviving peers,
but mostly the younger athletes who have
come forward since. There was Judge
Law, and his ''child of elOquence and
genius" Henry NJ, Judge Robert NJ.
Charlton, Generals Lawton, Jackson and
Barlow, Colonies Ward, Owens and De-
l.
Thomas E. Lloyd. Esq.
l believe that of the names mentioned
Generals jackson and Lawton are the
only residents of Savannah who still sur
ViVe.
think have seen at some time in the
| NEWS that Col. Ward was still practic-
ing his profession in New York, and that
Judge McAllIster was occupying high
judicial position in California. All the
rest have gone, but their virtues and their
worth are remembered.
More than twenty years ago, in the
days of my first experiences as a young
attorney, l recollect hearing the old prac-
titi0ners, in discussing certain leading
cases and their management, say that it
was mentioned Of Judge Law that in the
celebrated cotton cases he made one of
the ablest arguments ever listened to
within the walls of the Supreme Court
room at Tallahassee. In the same case, and
on the same side with the eminent iurist
referred to, Col. James I. Archer made
himself famous in a three-days' argument.
Henry NJ. Law was certainly one of the
most eloquent men Savannah ever pro-
duced, and his fame as an orator was not
confined to his own State alone. In 1850.
during the exciting questions touching
the possibility of dissolution of the
onion, Mr.. Henry Law made political
speech in the Exchange long room, the
| passionate elOquence of which was so
overwhelming in its effects on his numer-
GUS admirers, who had listened to him
with bated breath, that at its conclusion
/ he was taken up bodily and carried
around the room on the shoulders of some
of the wildly enthused crowd. Many old
men wept and laughed like children Tn
der the magnetic power of his elOquence.
Col. Owens, whose forte, believe, was
criminal law, is re uembered and spoken
of even now by citizens of Alachua cOun-
ty, Fla, in connection with the able and
ingenious defense made in the case of the
State of Florida VS.. James Stephens, who
was indicted for the killing Of George
Stuart, who was a member of one of the
most prominent families OF Georgia and
Florida. Public opinion and the weight
of evidence We're both largely against
Stephens, but through the wonderful skill
and ability Of Col. Owens in the manage
ment of the case throughout Stephens
neck was saved, much to the disgust and
disappointment of the people.
Judge Robert NJ. Charlton, the upright
Judge, the profound lawyer, gifted poet
and courtly Christian gentleman, will
ever occupy in my recOllections the most
affectiOnate remembrance. Sabbath after
Sabbath this great, good man appeared In
st. Johns Church, as the simple, earnest
Sunday school teacher, and it was he by
catechism. Every child loved him, and
for each he always had kind word and
smile.
1t has been many, many years since l
have seen Gen. Jackson, although | have
heard and read much of him in his long
and distinguished career, both in war
and in peace. The last time l saw him
was the day he left Savannah as Com
mander of the Savannah Irish Jasper
Greens, for Mexico, to take part in those
battles in which they afterwards so gall
lantly and cOnspicuously participated.
Gen. Lawton, like unto his illustriOus
compeer, still pursues with undimmed
lustre the brilliant path of success, in
which already, in the days referred to, he
had Imprinted indellibIe footprints His
example stands out as a shining beacon
light to the young men of Georgia, who
are to follow after him. These things
seem to be but of yesterday; but what
mighty strides in the march of change
and progress has this lovely Forest
City" made since then, but it is so sad to
think that most of the active witnesses of
those days possibly to-day Inhabit a city
which has been built up since-a "city of
the dead''-yOur own silent, sacred Laurel
| Grove Cemetery.
Passing the residence of Judge Law,
and seeing the Savannah Cadet Battalion
march near by at the same time, recalled
FusiIiers' were organized, composed of
youths between 16 and Is years of age,
and commanded by Captain Law. l
recOllect very wildly the afternoon that
we were drawn up in front of the Law
mansion and were presented with a
beautiful company flag by the Misses
Law, l think.
The company attended in uniform a
"First of May Party" at the United
States Barracks, and our gilt buttons and
yellow stripes made the members great
favorites with the fair young daughters of
Savannah-at least we thought SO.
Miss Fannie H and Miss j. P
were the lovely candidates for May Queen,
both being bellies at the time, and there
was considerable electioneering with the
military for their votes and influence.
Miss H was elected Queen, and Mr..
L. T was selected as King by the
charming Queen, and sitting under the
over-arching canopy of flower and ever
green's, presented a right royal appear
auce In their temporary sovereignty.
Z. NJ. G.
SAVANNAH March Is. 1884.