The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-08-05
of the hideous truth.

He went to court. for he never shirked
and never equivocated and his soul simply
could not consent to lie.
But he declined to serve upon the grand
jury. When questioned by the Judge as to
his excuse, he replied
81 have none. simply decline to serve. "
But Mr.. Coke, there must be re ason. -
There is. 1t is reason touching my
honor, and | am bound to indicate it 70
you. The oath of grand Juror binds him
to bring before the grand jury any facts
that he may know concerning any offense
against the law committed within the last
six mouths.
81 know of crime committed within
less than that time. But it in no way in
juries the community, and so no public
duty requires me to reveal it. | alone am
its victim, and for the sake of the innocent
whose lives its publication would blast,
have decided to keep silence | cannot ,ake
the oath of grand juror to-day
'Do you not see Mr.. Coke" said the
Judge, "that the very reason you give for
refusing to serve imposes an imperative
obligation upon ne to compel you to serve"
Every possibly" was the reply. But
l cannot serve. My honor forbids."
But don't you know that it is my duty,
if you persist in your refusal, to fine you to
the full extent of your property, and to i'm
prison you until you yield?"
"lour Honor knows best what your duty
requires" replied the stately old gentle.
man, ''and I have no doubt that You will
untlinchingly DO your duty as you under
stand it. But, pardon me, | mean no dis
respect when | say that /, and no other
human being, must determine what my
honor requires. That lies between me and
my God. l cannot serve upon the Grand
Jury
The courtroom was by this time pack ed
to suffocation, for all the people of the
country were there on court days, and news
of what was in progress had spread over the
green outside.
The Judge was greatly perplexed. He
inquired of the ceri, the amount OF Mr..
CoNe's possessions, and was told. Then he
made another and almost fearful appeal for
compliance, arguing that the mandate of a
court absolved honor Of his obligations.
The dignitied old gentleman remained
smilngly aud cOurteously obdurate.
Finally the Judge turned to the clerk and
said
Enter fine of Il against Mr.. Coke and
an order that he he Imprisoned in the
county jail for the space of one minute,
opinion of this court am not fit to be
Judge. Mr.. Sheriff, take your prisoner"
BY this time the courthouse had tumult-
ously empted itself, and when the Sheriff
walked out with his prisoner on his arm
he found the entire able-boied population
OF the county surrounding the Jail. They
were already in possession OF all the shot
guns, axes, picks, crow-bars and the like in
the village, besides such firearms as the
hotter-headed young men were accustomed
to carry on their persons, Their spokesman
announced that Carleton Coke, the noblest
and most honored man in that community,
should not be locked up in jail.
cts only for a minute" began the
Sheriff, bat /. howl OF Indignation drowned
his voice.
Bring me something to stand on" said
Mr. Coke to the Sheriff, land | will make
them a placating speech" He had been
they were accustomed to hear and heed his
words. But this time his oratory failed of
its purpose. He showed them how Ger.
tainly anarchy must ensue if the orders Of
the courts were defied. He explained to
them that his otfeuse had been very griev-
GUS one. He begged them for his own
honors sake to let him expiate it by sub.
hitting to the insignificant punishment
imposed by the Judge. He reminded them
that as their Senator he was a law-maker,
and that it would especially ill become him
to be law-breaker.
At this point an old man Of great influ-
ence in that community arose and barred
his head to breeze that swept his long
white locks into halo. He called out
Thou, God, seest us Fellow-oitizens
Resolved unanimously by the people Of this
county, in mass meeting assembled, that
Carleton Coke shall never pass the portals
OF Jail that we own"
A great shout made the resolution the
law Of popular will.
Come" said the Sheriff, must report
to the court
His return read prevented by the
unanimous and indignant resistance OF the
entire county from executing the Courts
order Of imprisonment"
Said the Judge:
every we'll The Court accepts the
temporary detention of Mr. Coke in custody
Of the Sheriff as full satisfaction OF the
order of imprisonment. Mr.. Sheriff, dis
charge your prisoner. Mr.. Clerk, call the
docket"
X
Siyteen vears later thara caua tn a Ia ,uyar