The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-09-22
" LIFE
A CORRECTION-HUMAN LIFE
CHEAP-GRANVILLE l
AND OXFORD-COTTON

IONDON-DIHON CRlIlCSED.
Writing lately of a well known witticism
memory forsook me, and l could not give
it correctly. My good friend, Chief Jus
tice Walter Clark, has kindly supplied me
with the whole incident, which l am gra-
titled to avail myself OF, and so copy what
he says OF the anecdote IN fun:
The incident in English History, quot
ed by you, you VIII find in Campbells
Lives of Lord Chancellors.' 1t occurred
In House of Lords (not Commons.
Thurlow, then Lord Chancellor and hence
in the Cabinet, had agreed with his col
leagues to support the risky measure OF
a regentcy on account of George Ills
evident and increasing insanity. But
Thurlow, getting back-door information
that the Kings mind was improving, at
ter lis colleagues had spoken surprised
them and the audience as we'll, by making
a violent speech against the measure,
winding up, with streaming eyes, and up
lifted hand, "When 1 forget my KING, may
my God forget me-" John Wilkes who
was cross-eyed, and hated ThurioW,
caught on" He was standing on the
steps of the Dais, not far off, and looking
cross-eyed at Thurlow, said, in the same
tone, God forget you. He will see you
damned first OF course, this was
sctto voce as Wilkes was merely a by
stander."
l have owned Judge Campbelfs valuable
volumes for a long time, and many years
age read the sketches of Thurlow, Bacon
and others. 1t had been so long since l
had forgotten as to the account given by
Judge Clark.
Human life, according to statistics of
crimes, is dreadfully cheap in this once
orderly. l~aw-abiding, conservative, safe
State of North Carolina. The courts are
worth but little now in suppressing or
Furnishing crime. They are mainly valua-
bic in making money for the lawyers and
taking care of the court officials. With
poor, inefficient criminal laws, and a de
bauched law of divorce, North Carolina
is decidedly decadent and fallen. 1t IS
painful and pitiful to contrast 1908 with
1S5O6O. and behold the retrogresslon and
downward course. Search the records OF
North Carolina prior to the great war,
and [ do not think you will find a record
in any one year of over twenty-five homl-
cides, if so many, an yet IN 1902, there
were 2S6. That statement IS probably
true, and it is a disgrace to the State
During last year, l have seen 1t stated,
there were over 1000 divorces granted In
North Carolina. No man should be voted
for as a legislator who is not resolved,
God helping him, to change radically the
present outrageous, barbarlc divorce law
The churches should take it in hand anG
insist upon the enactment of a divorce
law that is strictly Scriptural, and in &C
cord with the law of God. How can there
be justice dealt to murderers and men
slayers with a criminal law in sympathy
- .;oo o-I . I,c,or 81 thu -oAc-
tenderfooted kind? How many of The
2S6 NEWSPAPERS III 1902, in North Carolina
were hanged by the courts? Were ther'
five? Were there even three? AS sur
as the sun shines if the courts do not NEE
their duty with a stronger and more resC
lutte hand, the law of the mob will SUP
plant the findings OF courts in many IN
stances. Good laws we'll enforced are the
only safety OF society and the hope Q
a free people. Keep out barbarlsm an
enthrone justice once more. From all
car learn respect for and confidence i
the courts are we'll nigh departed.
hear often strong and angry omment
upon the failure of justice, and the pr
lection of scoundrels whose hands are Re
and reeking with the blood of their Vi,
tins who are in their graves. Fla
~justitia, ruat coelum-Let Justice be don
though the heavens fall.
I was grateful to see that Mr.. Alexande
Hamilton, one of the ablest and be:
equipped lawyers of the Petersburg (Na
bar. had been elected president of tt
Virginia Bar Association. I have IL
pleasure of an acquaintance with hir
He was born in Granville county, Nor
Carolina, is a son of the late Robert !
Hamilton, and a grandson Of the once ve1
prominent citizen of the famous Nutbu:
section. Patrick Hamilton, a Scotchm5
of wealth and high character. l see
stated that Mr.. Alexander Hamilton W
born at the famous home of his gran
father. BURNSIDE near the old Coloni
village of WILLIAMSBURG l purpose, {
W., to write one or more articles {
Burnside" and the superior civilizati
of the Nutbush section in the reno
past and later.
will correct here an error into viii
I fell in writing of some lawyers of
crary culture l had known at the Gra
vile bar prior to the war. l referred
George SpruiH. It should have be
Thomas E. Spruill, a son of Mr.. Geor
Spruill, of Warren county. He was
well cultivated young lawyer of rein
manners and attractive appearance, W
tISt Al LIS al L SLd
Oxford. l will mention an impression
have of the village of Oxford about IS
1855. l do not think Of It's size it |
any rival in North Carolina as to
general culture. 1t had not more than
inhabitants, believe. I feel warran
in saying that there were more men
good education, literary reading and
abilities than in any other community
the State not counting any more hea
think there were twenty-five mon
one-third-whO could have written a
spectacle essay, and a dozen who wo
have surprised the natives as to
cleverness. Without undertaking to NJ
all I will recall some. Among the 81
erend clergy there were among
Baptists, the then famous William
Jordan, a native of Bertie; Rev.
Waite, Rev. DR.. Marsh. Rev. r. l. De
who wrote the history of the Bapt
in that county, and ono or two 9th