The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-03-01
By James Henry Rice, Jr.

The review OF larson Lie oI l CT
igru which appeared last week in the
Sunday News, is a notable contribu-
ton. In so far as the book is con-
cerned, the review is adequate, and is
recognized as the work of one famil-
lar with letters and with Mr.. Petigru.
A powerful figure, unique in the
low country, with moral stature
recognized generally at the time, but
which will require full century to
appraise, James Louis Petigru makes
appeal to mankind 1t is conceded
that he ranked all South Carolina
lawyers, for the only man with whom
he might be compared, Hugh Swinton
Legare, devoted most Of his time to
letters, statecraft and diplomacy.
They were devoted friends and there
is hardly a better basis of compari-
son. Both were men of transcend
ent abilities, but Petigru was, first of
all, lawyer, one of the greatest
known to the American bar.
For better understanding of the
man it is purposed to portray him in
a few relations not covered by the
writer of the review last Sunday,
merely with the hope that, viewing
the matter from different stand
point, may assist in making Petigru's
character better understood.
First, let US examine the formative
Influences that went to make the man,
both in the old world and in the new.
The Huguenot people of France,
their brethren of the faith in Switzer-
land, were a marked people. They
were not paragons and somewhat diff
ferent, in many respects, from the
picture of them painted for our delec-
tation in this country. AS much as it
may shock us to think SO, most of
their troubles arose from the fact
that the; were aggressive and contir-
ually plotting to control government
in their interest. 1t may have been
quite true, that this was necessary;
weahave been taught to think so; but
whether necessary OF not, it was true.
Henry of Navarro, long hailed as
Protestant hero and champion, was
Catholic. He used the Huguenots, as
Elizabeth and her. august: sire, Henry
VIII, had used the English Protes-
tants, when it suited his purposes to
do so.
The great Catholic reaction,
brought ,en by Loyola and his disci-
pies, mainly through their control of
education, had brought most of Eu-
rope back to the fold, whence they
had 'strayed under the teaching Of
Luther and Calvin.
Insn,any communities Protestant
ism was barred by law and could be
taught only in secret, at the risk OF
life and liberty. The maternal an
cestors Of Petigru were preachers
>and teachers of the Protestant faith'
schooled to endure and hardened to
Withstand persecution.
Their coming to America was for
the avowed purpose of being allowed
freedom to worship God in their own
way.
Within what was, and is, known as
Clipper, South Carolina" roughly
bounded by the limits of the Old
Ninety-Six district, these French HUI
gueaotss We're joined by settlers from
Scotland and the north of Ireland,
known as Scotch, Irish" These
were descendants Of the people whom
Cromwell had settled in Ulster on
lands seized from the native Irish.
Within the limits. Of this Ninety
Six district two diverse streams Of
immigration met and mingled. One,
like the Huguenots above, came di-
rect from overseas; the other came
through Pennsylvania, Maryland and
Virginia into South Carolina, few
coming from the state of New York.
This followed Braddock's defeat and
a defenseless frontier.
These two strains mingled in the
blood Of James Louis Petigru. He
owed much to both.
The Calhouns, Pickenses, Ward
laws, Mobiles, Taylors, McGowans,
Griffins,. Buffers, Hamptons, Logans,
Gillams, Caldwells and many more
represented this movement from the
Middle; states.
Such gentlemen as the Cunning
hams ClaruS and the like were of the