Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-04
GOVERNORS, LAWYERS AND
JUDGES.
Anecdotes About n Few of Them who
Have Played Prominent Part In
Georgia's history.

Anecdotes About n Few of Them who
Have Played Prominent Part In
Georgia's History.
In 1918, when Judge John NJ. Berrien
was presiding as Judge, he had to sentence
young man of bingham county to be
hanged for murder, In addressing the
oulprit he said
you are young-would that | could
add that you are innocent. The bloom of
youth still plays upon your cheCks-would
that l could add that the consciousness OF
rectitude beams from your countenance.
But it may not be. The sad reality is be-
fore me, and even In your youthful visage
l behold the deep, indelible Impressions
with which guilt ever marks her fallen
victims. Alas what is mang The child
of error, the sport OF eVeey furious pas
sion; a helpless vessel on the tempestu-
Gus ocean OF life, without rudder to guide
1t from the shoals and quicksands of vice.
Such is the wretched condition of him
who madly refuses to yield to reasons
guidance"
NOT A MULATTO.
Judge Levi S. DeLyon was we'll known
IN his day as a prominent lawyer of the
Savannah bar. He had very dark skin,
so dark indeed, that by those who did not
know him, he was likely to be taken tor "A
bright mulatto.
When on the circuit some Of the young
lawyers thought TO play practical joke
on both Judge DeLyon and hotel keeper
AS they knew Judge DeLyon was on the
road, and would drive up in the course OF
an hour, one OF the lawyers told the hotel
keeper that he had servant on the road
behind who would come up in time, and
! that his servant was given to putting on
airs and wanted to pass himself off as a
white man where he was not known: that
| he would drive up and order dinner Just
as a white man would; would want his
horse taken to the stable by servant, etc.
In time, Judge DeLyoI drove up, and,
of course, acted and talked like any other
gentleman would. He wanted dinner,
his horse fed, etc.
"Well," said the landlord, 'you can
drive around to the stable and unhitch
and feed your horse, and you Will get your
dinner in the kitchen"
"What do you ?" asked Judge De-
Lyon. "W no do you take me to be?"
81 know you very we'll" said the land
lord. "YOu are stuck-up niger, who
wants to pass yourself of as a white man.
l know you.
The Judge felt indignant at such talk,
and was no doubt more pointed than po~
lite in his talk to the landlord. 1t then
flashed across his mind that come of the
lawyers had played joke on the landlord
with respect to himself, when he said to
the landlord:
Il expect some of the lawyers have been
making you the butt of joke, and told
you | was a mulatto."
$50 they did," said the landlord, sand
you look like one to my eye"
The Judge ia few moments convinced
the doubling landlord that he was Judge
DeLyOn, and that trick had been played
upon him. The landlord was full OF apol-
Ogies, and Judge DeLyOn took the Joke on
himself very good naturally, as any
| sensible man would have done.
NEVER BARGAIN FOR OFFICE.
Gov. Charles j. Mcdonald was man
of the highest sense of honor and truth.
! There was nothing mean or little about
him. lie was man of great dignity of
character, and yet the most apprOacha-
bic Of men. In the days Of his popularity
and influence, he had many approaches
made him by men who sought to rise TO
| position through his influence.
| On one occasion he was approached by
! certain gentlemen of his party, when the
| prospect of high dignities and elevated
office was held up to him, If he would en-
ter into ordinations to promote the per-
sonal ambition of others. His reply was
81 have never bargained tor any Office,
and If do not receive it without condi-
| tiOns | will never reach it,"
1t is enough to say he reached every
Office he sought, and died beloved and
| honOred and mourned by a people who
appreciated his talents and worth.