The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-05
BLOOD POISON
VARlC0CELE


as well by the organic and statutory law,
as by the humane and ennobling princi-
pies Of duty 10 our fellow men and to our
country May that Deity who amid the
rolling clouds Of Sinai, conveyed to his
chosen people that first immortal code Of
law. which survives and will continue to
survive as the basis of all civilized gov
eminent, impart to US and those who are
to succeed US His omniDotent guidance
and direction in the high and momentous
duties here to be performed"
Turning from these felicia tons 20 the
grand jury upon the beauty Of the build
ing and this elogium upon the high dig
nifty of the federal courts functions
Judge SDeer devoted the next few min
Utes of his charge to a history, brief. but
comprehensive, Of the rise of the federal
judiciary, from a modest beginning, with
but little real power to its present dis
tinguished position Of usefulness. author
ity and worth. Judge Speer alluded in
passing to the recent acqus tions to the
territory of the United States as an in
stance of the truth of the cardinal princi-
pies of its constitution and the sincere
purity of its motives Then he continued:
1t is, moreover true, gentlemen, that
the country, In the enforcement of whose
laws you nave been summoned to take
part, is at once the richest and most pow
erful government on earth. Its power has
edly now than ever More than thirty
years ago that illustrious English states
man and humanitarian, John Bright, de-
clared the government a Washington was
the strongest on earth, because it depend
ed solely upon the will of an enlightened
and instructed people. How important Is
it, then, that the people and all their
agencies should always have duty as the
guiding principle of action.
1t IS well for patriots TO recall
the fact that many other governments
have been powerful and rich, and yet
their glories have departed. The pages of
the historian are filled with the account
Of their decline or their destruction, and
we may from their published annals,
draw the safe conclusion that in nearly
every instance where a government has
lost its power and lapsed into decrepitude
and decay, it is because it's people have
abandoned the manly virtues of integrity
probity, simplicity of life-in short, the
virtues which constitute an elevated man.
hoon. No government can be long sue
cessful unless It's people deal honestly by
1t. Honest dealing towards government
means obedience to law, and enforcement
OF law When people habltually disregard
the laws or when, for personal or other
considera lions they permit individuals
who disregard the laws to escape their
penalties, then government itself is inse-
UlOueTn
society Is on the down grade.
Il will not delay you with other con-
siderations of general character. feeling
sure, as L DO, that you are fairly repre-
sentative OF that great body of eniight-
ened citizenship which for so many years
mas made the jurors of these courts The
admiration OF all who are acquainted with
' 'i'eir cohuuct. believe, gentlemen. that
you Will adhere to that high standard
am Informed by the district attorney
that in pursuance of his duty he has to
submit to you for your action many in
dletments, charging crime of the most Sc
rious and important character. Your
iaDors may be protracted. They NAV can
lot the utmost patience and diligence of
investigation. They may call for the ex-
ercise OF the stern virtues of upright and
honest citizenship. You should bear care
tully in mind the character of your oath.
ana also feel that its significance is an
predated, not only by yourself but by
the whole public Your station is high
for you are the grand jury. and to Won
Is applicable, at least in spirit the old
aphorism, Fierce is the light that beats
upon the throne" Indeed 1t is most np-
propriate, for justice is now to be en-
throned in your hearts You should per
mil no man to go unwhipped of Justice
who is shown to be guilty, no matter how
low his condition, no matter how high his
estate You should protect the innocent.
but you should let no guilty man escape
You should true presentments make with
out fear, favor, affection, reward or the
hope thereof Such is the majestic lam
guage of your OATH
Because of the fact that 1t is the pur-
pose of the government to submit to your
consideration indictments against persons
charged with conspiracy to defraud the
public treasury of large amounts, in the
harbor improvements along the coast, the
court, in the exercise of its authority, has
summoned you from some of the best
counties of the interior, where the citizen
ship Is presumed to have no personal
knowledge of the matters which you are
to investigate, where presumably you have
not been affected by discussion in the pub
lie journals with regard to the matters
involved, and where you are wholly dis
embarrassed and strictly impartial
This was rendered necessary largely
from the fact that one of che persons al
legged to have taken part in conspiracy
which the government will charge, has
been tried by military courtmartial
holding most of its sessions in this city
There was much excitement of the public
mind with regard 20 that trial The evil
dence was heard and considered by large
numbers of the people. and for these rea-
sons il was deemed difficult to secure ia
this neighborhood jurors so entirely free
from bias and previous impression as
would conform to the theory of the law. or
course, no reflection was intended by this
necessary action upon any locality. 1t
was taken to conform as nearly as was
practicable to the universal practice Of
courts i'm securing unprecedented and Impair
tial jurors. The state law provides for
a change of venue in such cases. The
United States law provides that the court
may direct that jurors shall be summon
ed from other portions of the district
II need not remind you, gentlemen. how
sacred is your duty and how jealously You
should guard the honor Of the country
which is entrusted to your keeping and
which Is Identical with your own honor.
mean in your conduct as grand jurors.
You should, of course, permit no one 10
approach you in any manner with regard
to the performance OF your duties If any
one should attempt to do So he at once
imputes to the man approached the impu
"a ION NanN ha 10