Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-11-15
KENNEDY'S LIFE OF WRIT.
The Church Mandamus Case i'm Bal.
tlmGre i'm 1927.

umCre IN 1877.
The Life of William Wir, by the Hon. John
?. Kennedy, is undoubtedly the most popular
work which has been published for long time
The extracts which have been made from il
in The public papers, is evidence alike of the
ability with which the author has performed
his task, and of the general interest which be-
longs 10 the work The following extracts,
giving an accoun, Of the great mandamus
church case which created such sensation in
Baltimore in 1927, will have special attractions
for every one 80
In may, 1927, Mr.. Writ was engaged in a
trial in Baltimore, which attracted grea. alien
ton, and in which he made one of his most
popular and felicitous speeches. A breach
had occurred between the members of Pres
bylerIan congregation in that cily-a schism
upon some doc,rinal question, which found a
considerable body of adherenls and advocates
on either side. Mr.. John Nj. Duncan was The
pas,or,-a gentleman of distinguished elo-
quence. of very high order of lalenis,--a
bold and earnest preacher, and OF irreproacha-
BILE life and conversation. He was, therefore,
a. this period, as he is still, greatly esteemed
and admired minister, with many followers and
friends.
Withou, troubling the reader by an auemp,
TO make him acquainted with The merits of the
chief point in dispute seemed 10 be- whom
belonged the church property, especiaIIy-who
was entitled 10 The possession of the pulpit,
after this unhappy division in doctrine 1t
was popularity understood in the community
where the parties Iived-and speak upon no
other authority than this common opinion
that The majority of the congregation, with
their pastor al the head, were, in fact the dis
senlers from the ancient doctrine which was
now maintained by the minority. The church
had been built and The properly purchased by
the contributions of the congregation, of which
contributions The majority had supplied the
greater part. The dispute was sufficiently
irreconcilable 10 find its way into the courts
and to be consigned 10 the guardianship Of the
lawyers.
The period OF trial had now came round
The most eminent counsel were employed.
On the side of rhe pastor and the ma iori,y, was
Mr.. Writ. On the other side, was Mr. Taney,
the present Chief Justice of The United States.
The case was heard upon an application by the
minority, for mandamus 10 put them in pos
session Of the property. The trial was before
the court The cour! room was filled 10 over
flowing by an eager and excited crowd-com
posed. in part, OF the members of the congre-
CATION; IN great part, also, by ladies Of the
highest fashion and consideration in the city,
attracted thither by the general interest of the
cause and by the fame Of the counsel. Seats
were especially provided for them II was The
first time that the court had ever been honored
by such fair assembly. The interest, there
fore, of the trial was greatly increased. The
weather was exceedingly hot, and the court
room much worse than the weather out of doors.
This was the condition Of things on the last
day, when Writ was TO close the case before
the court. The previous stages Of the trial had
provoked less interest, and were, therefore.
wirhou, this extraordinary attendance Of spec
tators.
'' had been told the evening BEFORE" says
Mr. Wir,, in letter to his wife, of the 10Th of
May, {" that the ladies had determined 10 come
and hear me bu. had discouraged it, sim
cerely believing that they would find no inter
est in The discussion TO requile them for the
pain Of such an attendance; but they wouldn't
ake the point. On opening. gave them warn
ing tha, The discussion would prove very tire
some, and that should no. feel the eas, NOR
flied at their retiring whenever they should
ind il SO. This. Of course, was 10 the Judge;
no mention of ladies'; bu. the inima,on was
llrecry and very inlel!igbly given, in. terms
rs delicate, graceful, and cautious as could
ind. | did not expect them TO stay half an
lour, for having sal up almos, all the preceding
light, to make myself more thoroughly master
# The cause, | had headache and was almost
tupfed had no idea that should be able /.
o do more than argue the cause drily like a I.
awyer. But somehow or other, my faculties ]
eemed to recover themselves by sudden |.
prng | never witnessed an audience more :
Interested spoke three hours. when The ex.
rtion and the oppressive heat of the room had !,
o much exhausted me, that had 10 beg the !.
udge for an inermission of few minutes
was now one O'Clock. and was in hopes the
udlence would dispense, and leave me 10 finish
~ argument at my ease. Bu' not ma. or
Meredith begged The Judge. on my behalf
" an adjournment. ,l The afternoon The D
ourt was accordingly adjourned Ill half-past a
,ur. | made sure that should then have 81
comparatively Thin room, and no ladies', and so G
AXE cool work Of The sequel.
When we re ass embed, instead Of a II
Dol. empty room, was scarcely able TO gel 10 to
e door !; and instead Of 10 ladies. the number III
as double. / was dismayed; for came ia a.
goed and worn down. and fell certain that II
louId lose all ,he laureis ofihe morning. But N