American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-26

WRIT VS.. TANLr. The following extract is
from well written sketch Of the lie of Will
liam Writ, by +. w. Thomas, E.q., published
in the Broadway Journal
For long time Mr.. Wits chief opponent
at the Baltimore bar, was Mir. fancy, the pre-
sent chief Justice OF the Uuilcd States. MIR
fancy removed to Baltimore FROM Frederick,
on the death Of Mr., Finckney, and there Mr..
Writ and himself were the great forensic RI
walls. No two men Of The same profession
could be more different in their intellectual en-
downents than were these gentlemen. They
were as unlike in these regards as they were in
their personal appearance. MIR. fancy was
very thin. lie stopped, and his voice was
weak; and such was the prGcarious condition
of his health, that he had to station himself
Immediately before and near the jury, to make
himself heard by them. Mr.. Writ always
placed himself III front OF the trial table, oppo-
site the jury, in oratorical position. Mr.. Ia
ney's manner of speaking was slow and firm
never using the least rhetorical ornament,
but pressing into the heart of the case, with
powerful Arguments, like a great leader with
unbroken phalanY into the heart of Il besciged
city. His style was plain, unadorncd and so
iorcibc and direct that It might be called pal
pablc. With his snuff boX--for the chief JUS
tlce then too used snuti-compressed in his
closed hands, he reasoned for hours without
the least attempt at wit or eloquence. And
yet, at times, he was truly eloquent from his
deep yet subdued earnestness In question
Of bail in the case Of 4 youth who had shot at
his teacher, remember, though then youth
fnl student, that crowded auditory were suE
fused in tears. 1t was the fervor of his own
feelings, speaking directly, that made him elo-
quent. He did not appear to know that lie
was eloquent himself 1t was an inspiration
which came to him, if it came at all, unbldden
and which would no more answer to his call
than Glendower's
''Spirits from the Vastly deep"
One Of the most interesting cases ever wit
messed at the Baltimore bar, was trial in a
nlandGmltS case, in which the right to a church
was contested. Mr. Duncan had been estab-
lished in the ministry in Baltimore, BY num-
Der of Scotch Presbyterians, in an obscure edi-
flee. His talents drew such a congregation that
it soon became necessary to build Il larger one.
1t was done; and in the progress Of events,
the pastor preached 4 more liberal doctrine
than he had at first inculcatcd. His early sup
porters remained not only unchanged in their
faith, but they resolved to have it preached to
them by one with whom they could entirely
agree upon religious matters. The majority
of the congregation agreed with Mr.. Duncan
A deep schism arose in the divided flock which
was eventually, by a writ of manddmuS carried
before legal tribunal. Mr.. fancy was coun
sci for the old school side, and Mr.. Writ lo
the defendants. The court room, during the
| trial, was crowded with the beauty and fashion
| of the Monumental city. Ii was such dis
play Of eloqnencc, and full appreciation o
it, as is seldom witnessed. Mr. Writ was al
ways happy in making quotation; and in con-
Guiding this cause he made one of his happiost
After abiding to the old school members who,
as it has been said, were Scotchmen, and after
dwelling upon the tragedy of Macbeth, the
scenes Of winch are laid in Scotland, he de.
scrbci their preacher as being in the condition
Of Alacbeth's guest; and said, after a stern re.
buke to them, that though tAcY should succeed
in their cause, which lie felt confident they
would not, they would feel like the guilty
Ihanc:-