Piney Woods planter and Amite union literary reflector. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1838-1838, 1838-08-11

Al thS oPiluS vi A'oO3 lAS NOiulilShSNu
the study of law at Annapolis, in the
Office of Jeremiah T. Chase, then Judge
Of the general court of Maryland, and
came TO the bar in 1899. Soon after,
he began the practice in Calvert, and
in the fall of this year was elected toI
the House of Delegates, This was an
all-important era in the political histo-
ry of the United States. Great and
violent was the struggle between the
contending parties; popular feeling
was aroused to an unprecedented
height, ere the first Office in the Gift Of
the nation passed into the hands of Mr..
Jefferson. The legislature Of Mary
land partook ofits portion of this ex-
element, and amid the stormy debates
which sometimes occurred, young la-
ney displayed an intrepidity Of charac-
ter and an uprightness ofmotive, which
gained for him the admiration of his
contemporaries. He declined re-
election, and in March, 1901; settled
himself in the practice Of law in fredc-
rick. A new scene now opened to his
view. He was a stanger in the county
where he was about to commence his
career. But the wary and rejecting
yeomanry Of Frederick, Washington,
Allegheny, aud Montgomery counties,
soon discovered that his industry had no
bounds: that he possessed mind of the
highest order: that judgement, acute
ness. penetration, capacious memory,
accurate learning, steady perseve
rance in the discharge Of duty, a lofty
integrity, united with a grave and win.
ming clocution. were developed. These
qualifications were soon rewarded with
an extensive and lucrative practice.
AS his powers were unfoldcd with ex-
perience, they saw that in the argu-
mcnt of important causes, he discntan-
gled what was intricate, confirmed
what was doubtful, embellished what
was dry, and illustrated what was OBJ
scure.
In 1906, he is engaged at the court
ofappeals, encountering some of the
most distinguished men ofthe state, and
the reports of Harris and johnson show
that he was always well prepared for
argument, and was deservedly ranked
with the most talented of his competi-
tors. Martin, Harper, Shaofe, and
Philip B. Key, were the monarchs OF
the bar. But Mr.. fancy feared no
one: relying on his own resources, he
never allowed either the weakness or
the power of an adversary to change
his purpose or alter his views. Not
withstanding the unrivalled fame of his
opponents, his reputation was now in
the ascendent. Virgil tells us that his
hero was borne through the regions Of
the neither realms by the splendor of
the golden Dough; the genius of Mr..
fancy was his guide. 1t spread it.
selfover the tree of knowledge; and
gilded with new light every leaf on
which it shone. lie would, arguesno
case in the higher courts until he had
minutely examined all its relations and
bearings; and for this end he would
explore the vast and boundless regions
of the common and statute law, and
bring home their richest treasures, to
instruct and enlightcn all who heard
him. His manner was strikingly I'M
pressive. When his slow and solemn
form was seen rising in court, every ear
was open, and all eyes were fixed on
the speaker-the audience insensibly
taken captive, and borne away by Che
weight Of his arguments and the tones
of his cloquence. He moved along
like the majestic Mississippi, full, clear
and magnificent. Whenever the late
Mr.. Writ was opposed TO Mr.. fancy
he would facetiously say. that he dread
cd nothing SO much as his "apostolic
simplicity" So soft and unable wa
his department, that even amids the
heat and turmoil ofnisi priuS litigation
| DP WAS never ktOWH W OHoiIu IhO iSS'
ings Of any of his brethren; his CONVEX
sation was never roughened by austen
ity or pedantry, and when his gallan
bearing exorted from all the most IN
feighed praise. he would almost hide
himself from public admiration, with thu
unaffected modcsty of his native char
acter. Whatever the political princi
Piles Of his clients might be, you coul'
not discern the slightest difference il
the discharge ofhis duty. 4 memo
rable instance occurred in lSli.e Gen
wilkinson, was then commapder-in
i chief Of the the United States army