Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1883 — JUDGE BLACK. [ARTICLE]

JUDGE BLACK.

Death of the Eminent Lawyer and Statesman. 4 Sketch of His Long and Eventftl Career. Judge Jeremiah & Black died at his home tn York, Pa, after a week’s illness, on the 19th of August His death was as calm and peaceful as the setting of a summer’s sun. Bis two sons, Chauncoy F. and Henry, bis daughter, Mrs. Hornsby, his son-in-law, Mr. Hornsby, and A B. Farquhar were present when he died Just before bis death he ■poke with qtafidenee of the future, saying to his son Chaunoey that he had no fear at crossing the dark river adding: “I would that I were as oomfortaole about what I leave behind in this world ” He spoke of business and private matteis to his son. and in the midst of it would stop and refer to his faith in Christ On one occasion ha said: “I would not have yon think for a moment that I fear to ci osa this river. I have taken care to arrange for my future over there, and therefore death has no terrors for me.” When his beloved wife knelt by his bedside, comforting him with her sympathy and love, he gave utterance to the following prayer: -Oh, Thou beloved and most merciful Father, from whom I had my being and in whom I have ever trusted, grautf, if it be Thy will, that I no longer suffer this agony, and that I be epeediiy colled home to Then And Oh, my God, bless and comfort this my Mary.” Jeremiah Sullivan Black was descended from a mixed ancestry, composed pf the German and Scotch-lrisfi elements. Me was bora in the Glades, Somerset county, Pa, June 10, lblO. His father, Heury Black, was a man of prominence in Southern Pennsylvania, and was a member of Congress at the time of his death. Young Black finished hie “schooling” at 17, after having gained a fair knowledge of the classics, mathematics, and, above all most precious to him, a thorough grounding in the knowledge of English classic literature. When his school days ended he went home to work on the farm, but his stud. 63 were not neglected, for by the light of the morning fire he conned his Horace and Virgil, committing to memory each day a certain number ot lines. Before he entered upon his profession he had not only translated but learned the whole of these books by heart. Under Chaunoey 1-orward he studied law, and in 1831 was admitted to the bar. When he was 28 years of age he married hie instructor s daughter, she being 17. About this time he joined the sect kuo.vn as the Campbeiiites or Disciples of Christ, with whom he remained in fraternal relations the rest of his life. Gov. Porter in 1842 appointed him pretid.ng Judge of the Franklin, Bedford and Somerset districts, and, though a party fight was made on the appointment, the unanimous approval of the members of the bar decided the matter in his favor. This office he held with great credit for nine years When the position was made elective he was chosen for the short term, and filled the Chief Justiceship most acceptably for three years Judge Black wqp re-elected for fifteen years, but was compelled to resign after serving two, President Buchanan calling him to the Cabinet ais Attorney-GeneraL where he remained until 186tl His moss conspicuous service while holding this office was the protectionfof the claims ictde by Americans against the fraudulent pretensions of the Spanish in regards to lands in California. Mr. Stanton was associated with him in these labors. When Judge Black was made Secretary of State Stanton became Attorney-GeneraL Throughout the war he remained a staunch War Democrat When Black retired Irom the Cabinet he resumed the practice of law, and few men have enjoyed so large a practice in the Supreme Court of the land as he. His manner was characterized by eminent legal ability, courage and skill. He talked to the court deliberately, without notes, and cited authorities from memory. The most important cases in which he was engaged were: The Milliken case, the Yanderbuv will cave, the McGarrahan claim, the Belknap impeachment, and the electoral content In no case where public interests were involved, as in the Milliken case, did he take a fee for Eervices rendered Judge Black was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention in 1873, and was urgent in pressing the needs of the legislative reform. He served without pay. Not-only as a jurist, learned, exaot, and apt, has he made himself known to the people of the whole nation, bat as a writer of political and theological articles he has won a place among the classic writers of the age. His answer to the strictures on Christianity by CoL Ingersoll, given in the pages of one of the principal magazines in the land, provoked much critici m and praise. For a , time it was the topic of conversation and' of leading newspaper articles, and its ciS cu'ation passed the boundaries of the United States into Canada and England, where it was unenu vo- - al:y commended. His last noted political paper was on “ Monopoly,” and the strong v iews he uttered, backed by keen, logic and b ting words, were as rapturously applauded by his sympathizers as they were condemned by those opposed to its views. Personally Judge Black was imposing in his stalure and mamers. Nearly six leet tall, with shaggy eyebrow's tha/in repose gave him a stern aspect, his strong bodily L ame and erect carriage made him a remarkable figure in any assemblage. Though noted for the radical views he held in poiti tics, he was a great social favorite, and Garfield, Carpenter, Ingersoll and B 1 ine always sought him out when in Washington. Even That! Stevens defended him once in the House, w'hen attacked by some one on the Democratic sideLawyer as he was, statesman and scholar of high ability, deeply read in literature, Judge Black devoted more time to the studv ind perusal of the Bible than persons would, think possible His ideas of right and wrong gained in the strict old school of Presbyterians remained with him throughout his lfe and make his character shine - with a brightness that mere culture or even genius could never produce. He was an American in every sense of tbe term, the peculiar product of a community whom, for rugged strength and grand ambitions, the world kaA never seen excelled