Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1897-01-15

The Dispsnsatlon OF Primsivs Justice
by Monlsnsgro's Ruler.

to his people signifies, II we are no
mistaken, Judge, title which tn
prince likewise owns. In his person
indeed, he represents the court O
appeal, and from his sentence Their
is no further recourse. Once d
twice week he holds this court
seated beneath a large tree, th'
finest in Cettigne, when the weather
is fine, in front OF his palace. In
former times, as Signor Yriarte tells
us In his history Of Montenegro, and
on grand occasions, this tree must
have witnessed scenes of an epic
character, which illustrated well the
warllSe nature of this people
In 1861 the prince Che being then
20 years of age) looked on unmoved
at the struggle maintained by the
Herzegovinians against Turkey.
Signs OF mourning for Danilo |.
were still out in the town when a
messenger brought the news that
the enemy had arrived on Montene7
grin soil. Nicolas ordered the royal
standard to be unfurled on the pal
ace, arms, ammunition and horses
to be in readiness and messengers to
be dispatched in every direction.
That same evening, at sunset, the
prince seated himself under the tree,
and all the inhabitants of Cettigne
stood around him, while be pro-
claimed tho state of war, and in
toned the "Pesma," a collection of
warlike songs and patriotic hymns
destined to rouse the courage of the
least bellicose
In the present day, when he holds
his court of justice, the humblest as
we'll as the first among his citizens
may approach him; no other inter
mediary exists between him and his
subjects. He corresponds and con-
verses directly with the highest and
the lowest of them. No need for
anyone to employ a lawyer to settle
dispute; when two parties are not
agreed on any legal point they refer
the case at once to the prince, and
whatever sentence he pronounces is
accepted without a murmur. From
30 to 40 persons, having grievances
to be settled, assemble every even
ing in the neighborhood of the pal
ace, smoking their pipes and wait
ing patiently for the prince to ar
rive. If he should not show himself
by chance, they return home quietly
and come again the following day.
A short time ago a spectator de-
scribed one of these sittlngs:
Nicolas l., yesterday evening, after
taking q walk in the principal street
of Cettigne, accompanied by his
and the ministers of |
war and finance, returned to the
tree and opened the audience. The
peers who accompanied him, acting
as ushers, called upon the plaintiffs
one by one to approach. The de-
PENDANTS are not always present. The /
plaintiff then, removing his cap, adj
towards the prince, who Of
fers his hand to be kissed. The
faithful subject, who has left his
weapons at home, bows very low;
then, standing erect, states his case
n few words. The prince listens
lttentively and patiently, and be-
,ween two pufs at his cigar pro-
lounces judgment. In little more
han half an hour the prince has de-
ided about 30 cases, and rendered
Justice to his people without the in
ervention Of registry or tax
Not everyone who applies to him,
owever, gains his cause. Thus, a
iti2en was condemned one day by
he tribunal to pay fine of ten :
orins. Considering that he had :
cen dealt with unjustly, he waited =
Ill the evening for the prince to
eat himself under the tree, and then :
to him as usual Nico-
IS reflected for a moment; then .
boxing the man well in the face,
nd patting him on the shoulder,
aid; you are right, my son, the
entence was not just, the Judge =
vaS mistaken; instead of ten, you |.
lust pay Is forms" To which !
be supposed VICTIM bowing low,
eplied: II will pay the 10 forms :
D which you have condemned me, :
ecause I know that your sentence !
always just; but we can never :
now if that of your ministers is j,
D." Being condemned some time
tier by the tribunal to another fine
80 forms, the man was asked if :
e would appeal to the prince.
This time, he replied, scratching :
Is head, 'I'll not appeal, because :
the prince should punish me as I {
eserve l could not acquit myself. I :
IN pay 80 but not 35 forms. LON
On Standard. :
Point in international Law.