Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-01-26
Gistorifal.
KENNEDY's LIFE OF WRIT.
The Church Mandamus Case in Baltimore IN II


The Church Mandamus Case in Baltimore in 1897.
The life of William Writ, by the Hon.
John P. Kennedy, is undoubtedly the most
popular work which has been published Tor
long time. 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 to the
work. The following extracts, giving an
account ofthe great mandamus church case
which created such I .'sation in Baltimore
in 1927, will have Special attractions for
In May, 1927, Mr.. Writ was engaged
in trial in Baltimore, which attracted
great attention, and in which he made one
OF his most popular and felicitous speeches.
A breach had occurred between the mem
bers of Presbyterian congregation in that
city-a schlsm upon doctrina questions,
which found considerable body of adhe-
rents and advocates on either side. MIR.
John Nj. Duncan was the pastoral gentle
man of distinguished eloquence, Of a very
high order Of taents,-a bold and earnest
preacher, and OF irreproachabe life and
conversation. He was, therefore, at this
period, as he is still, greatly esteemed and
admired minister, with many followers and
friends.
Without troubling the reader by an at
tempt to make him acquainted with the
merits of the controversy, it is sufficient
only to say that the chief point in dispute
seemed to be--to whom belonged the
church property, especially-who was en-
titled to the possession Of the pulpit, after
this unhappy division in doctrine? 1t was
popularity understood in the community
where the parties lived--and | speak upon
no other authority than this common opin-
ion-that the majority of the congregation,
with their pastor at the head, were, in fact,
the diSSsenters from the ancient doctrine
which was now maintained by the minori-
ty. The church had been built and the
property purchased by the contributions Of
the congregation, of which contributions
the majority had supplied the greater part.
The dispute was sufficiently irreconcilable
to find its way into the courts and to be
consigned to the guardianship of the law
yers
The period Of trial had now come round.
The most eminent counsel wete employed.
On the side of the pastor and the majority,
was MIR. 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 mans
damus to put them ia possession OF the pro-
perty. The trial was before the COURT
The court room was filled to Nverfiowlng
by an eager and excited crowd---composed,
in part, of the members Of the congregation;
in great part, also, by ladies' of the highest
fashion and consideration in the city, at
tracted thither by the general interest OF
the cause and by the fame of the counsel.
Seats were especially provided for them
1t was the first time that the court had ever
been honored by such a fair assembly,
The interest, therefore, OF the trial was
greatly increased. The weather was ex-
ceedingly 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 be-
fore the court. The previous stages OF the
trial had provoked less interest, and We're,
therefore, without this extraordinary atten-
dance ofspectators. =,
81 had been told the evening before"
SAYS MIR. Writ, in letter TO his vile, OF the
10th of May, 'ahat the ladies had deter
mined TO come and hear me but l had
discouraged it, sincerely believing that
they would find, no interest in the discus
sion to requite them for the pain Of such an
attendance but they wouldn't take the