The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Baltimore Patriot.



4 Kennedy. LIE OF Writ. t9
| The Church Mandamus Case in Baltimore IN 1897.
/ The Life OF William Writ. by the Hon John p Ken
nedy, 10 undoubtedly the most popular work which has
been published Tor long tine The extracts which
have been made from it in the public papers is evidence
alike OF the ability with which the author has performed
his task and of the general interest which belongs 10 the
work The following extracts giving account OF the
great mandamus church case, which created such SEN
saton in Baltimore in 1897 will have special attractions
for large body Of our citizens and will be read with
interest by every
In May, ls27 Mr.. Writ was engaged in trial in
Baltimore which attracted great attention, and in which
ne made Of his most popular and iecous speeches
breach had occurred between the members OF Pesby
,erian congregation in that cty-a schism upon some
Jocinal question, which found considerable body OF
adheents and advocates on either side. Mr. John M
Duncan was the pastor, gentleman OF distinguished elo
Of s and @
He therefore, al this PERIOD as he 10 sl greatly
esteemed and admired minister with many followers and
ireHds.
| Without troubling the reader by an attempt to make
him acquainted with the merits OF The controversy II is
aeen, only to say that the CHIEF mel point in dispute
sspecay-who was entitled 10 the possession Of the
pulpit, after this unhappy division in doctrine was
popularity understood In the community where the parties
liyed-and speak upon no other authority than this
common opinon-lhat the majority OF The congregation
with the pastor at their head were, in fact the disseners
the minority, The church had been buLand the prop
ery purchased by the contributions Of the congregation.
| of which contributions the majority had supplied the
greater part The dispute was sufficiently irreconcilabe
TO find its way into the courts, and to be consigned 10 the
guardianship of the lawyers. s..
eminent counsel were employed On the side OF the pas
Tor and the majority was Mr.; Writ On the other side
was Mr. Iaasy the present Chief Justice 2. ,hs United
minority, for mandamus 70 put them in possession Of
he property The trial was before the court The court
Dom was filled to overlooking BY an eager and excited
cowd-composed in part OF the members OF the conge
saion in great part also, by ladies Of The highest fash
and consideration in the city, attracted thber by the
general interest OF the ana by the fame OF the coun
ell Seats were especially provided for them. II was
he first time that the court had ever been honored by
rial was greatly increased. The weather exceed
ngly hot, and the court room much worse than the
weather out oil doors This was the condition OF ihlngs
the last day. when Writ to close the before
he court The previous stages OF the trial had provoked
less interest," and were therefore, without this exiraodi-
| nary attendance OF spectators.
II had been told the evening before" says Mr. Writ.
letter TO his wife OF the 10th OF May chat the ladies
lad determined to come and hear ne but had d'sconr-
crest in the discussion to requiie them for the pain of
such an attendance; but they wouldn't take The point.
opening gave them waning war that he discussion
least mortified at their retiring whenever they should
ind il So This, OF course, 10 the yudye-no mem
ion OF ladies' but the ntimation directly and very
nielligbly given il terms as delicate graceful and
as could find did not expect them to stay half
hour for having sat up almost all the preceding night
ss mak heaa sss %a sa, snpssa u ..
hat should be able to do more than argue the cause
lrily like lawyer. But, somehow Other my iacul-
les seemed TO themselves by sudden spring
lever witnessed an audience more interested spoke
hree hours when the exertion and the oppressive heat
II the room had much exhausted me, that had 10 beg
he Judge for intermission OF few MINUTES II was
| low o'clock aud was in hopes the audience would
sperse and leave me to hnsh my argumsn. my ease
Meredith begged the Jndge, on my behalf Tor an adj
comment till the afternoon The court was accordingly
Il f hal f.nasf II made hal
hen have comparatively thin and ladies' and
% make cool work Of the sequel
"When reassembed, instead OF a cool, empty
room scarcely able 10 get TO the door and instead
| II no ladies' :he number was doubled was dsmayed;
came aigued and worn down, and felt certain that
should lose all the laurels OF the morning But again,
o my surprise, my mind recovered a fresh spring.
spoke hour and half, and when closed, there was
clapping Of hands, as loud you have head 10 the
,heae ladies and ALL even oil the Judges joining IN
IT," -... #uF rI
This is his own account The speech is well remem-
pered in Baltimore for its wit well Its eoquence.
Never was dry legal subject lightened aud relieved
whilst il was most fully discussed, by more brilliant
lashes Of the finest wit and humor, or adorned win
richer eloquence. The public conversation was ful oil
1 for weeks afterwards The newspapers attempted 10
reserve some of the happiest hits; but, IN all such
ony IS o sbe eGo, CIV
he manner the gesture and the reciprocal be-
ween the orator and his audience, which could alone
enler them fully Ineligible the absence Of which
hey appear fiat The writer OF this memoir heard the
speech, iet its effect others felt H. and without
surprise being himself held IN the same thfadOm, what
| ne would not have believed unseen; how marvelously
he orator wrapt in delighted attention that large crowd
composed OF both sexes, aud many 10 wDom the courts
we're altogether unfamiliar, whilst he discussed. for the
greater part OF day, question Astounding in technical
Jaw and for the review o. numerous judicial pre-
oedents He concluded with a passage that was snsu.
lary happy in its application 10 his CLIENT and when,
king the court and auditory unawares, broke ihem
with mingled grave and comic effect; grave lro us
connexion with OF the grandes scenes OF Macbeth,
and comic from unexpe ced and pointed application TO
The gentleman who there present. AMI upon whose
INV and modest countenance drew all eyes, provoking
laughter al his apparent discontinue Mr Dantan, as
ave sad was great favorte and the public interest ~
the trial was in large part, owing TO The concern which
was felt for him The advocate, in drawing to close,
spoke OF the severity and unkndness OF tbs contention
20 dispace pastor so much respected BY his Hook aud
IN useful in his vocation; expaiiaied upon the stake
which the cause OF religion had in this proceeding upon
the necessity of avoiding the scandal such divisions were
likely 10 bring upon this cause; upon the reflections 10
which IL would give rise, and the great duty oil harmony
mone Christian brethren; and, whilst all seemed 10 re-
pond 10 the truth OF what he said be turned xeciedy
towards his CLIENT who sitting him, asd with
, most graceful elocuton, said:
II "Bcsides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties meek, hath bccn
So clear la his great office, that hts virtues
viii plead like angels rumpet-ongned, against
| The deep damnation OF his laking off,
This conclusion Of the speech greeted wi the clap
ping of hands mentioned in the letter IN which act OF
APPLAUSE the large assemblage seemed 70 md sudden
mi pleasant vent for the feelings which had been chained
40 in mute attention for several hours and which now
broke forth in general generalization OF the orator
The cause was gained and Mr.. Duncan is, 70 this
law In Of the church, illustrating his ministry