Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-10-12

gan general lecture on the necessity, I'M
portance and duties of courts. His clear
tones, at first low and persuasive, gradually
rose, rang, vibrated and thrilled the air,
filling the ample forum and rolling far out
over the public square, till crowds came
rushing from every grocery, thronging the
doors and darkening the windows, all anx-
ous to see and hear. They stood breath
less, fascinated, wonder.struck, yet delight
ed ! while there stood the blue-eyed magl-
clan, weaving the spell words which held
them like voice of steel.
And yet strange to say, his eloquence
had no profundity of learning, no polish of
rhetoric. He never used trope, and had
no power of logic, seeming incapable of
copulating premises with view, to keen
argument; but still that eloquence was in
comparablv insinuating. 1t wound around
the soul, pierced through the heart and RI
veted every thought like a fine thread of
golden wire. 1t aroused no sudden cheers,
no boiSterous burst of feeling. It's effect
was not admiration it was corviction.-
Men did not exclaim, "What an orator !"
but they murmured to themselves, ssHow
| true 20 " 7r sHaHs l.aal HiH tN ..aI
The Judge concluded by alluding to the
| dangers incurred by himself in the admin
lstration Of even justice; and his last sem
tence uttered in terrible voice, thundered
forth the fearless avowal-eI will deal out
to every one--jurors, witnesses, parties and
counsel--the full measure of legal right ap-
pertaining to each, and no moce and /
will maintain the majesty of the law and
the dignity OF my own person, or leave the
best blood OF my heart here on this bench,
my own place!" m
His face was Illuminated by the glowing
fire Of passion, his eyes literally blazed and
his very teeth appeared to shine with saw
age-gleaming radiance through half parted
| lips rigid as iron with The energies Of in
domitable will. Then the insolent sneer
which had produced that final peal faded
from the countenance OF Gen. Smoot, as he
whispered to his myrmidons- H
"By heaven / think he'll fight, and I
mean to try him before the day is an hour
older 20
"His pockets lie smooth; don't think
he's armed," suggested Col. Nc Ball, by
way encouragement. .H- r
81 wonder why he carries that cane, for
it would aid him but little in combat"
remarked Reub Reynolds, Esq. .......
"Ihat cane, apparently so light, is pow
erful weapon of solid ron," said Col. Lee
per. "With it, one might fell an ox.'' rs.
$50 much the BETTER" muttered General
Smoot, at viii not then be asserted that /
attacked an uharmed man." 7a' '- .r1'n.i
Oh. $50 ahead we'll ali back YOU" whis-
pered M'BaIl. H a1,HT7awg1r T. ano'
Can the reader comprehend this scene
Can he imagine why this clique of lawyers
should harbor such deadly hatred against
the unofending stranger, The singular
problem is easily explained. Some Of them
had been unsuccessful aspirants for the Of:
flee he then filled, and they all felt that he
would hereafter be dangerous competitor
for future places of profit and honor under
the state government about to be organized
This painful consciousness was aggravated
to madness by the extraordinary impression
which their supposed rival had already anc
so obviously produced in the minds OF the
people. Hence nothing remained but tc
test his courage 10 the last extremity-ar
awful ordeal to which every professional
man must submit who carries his ambition
to the perilous market OF the backwoods.
) The first case on the docket was called
! and the plaintiff stood ready. 1t was al
old case that had been in litigation for fiv'
! years. Gen. Smoot arose for the defendant
: and remarked in an overbearing tone
! sour witnesses are absent, and therefor
: demand that the cause be continued til
the next term in course" .5s,
: "Let the proper affidavit be filed, for no
: till then can l entertain the motion for
: continuance" was the mild response of tn
$ Judge. I'D ..r..r ~. .........
''Do you doubt my word as to the fact
4 Gen. Smoot exclaimed, sharply, and invol
! UNFAIRLY raising his sword-cane.
: ''Not at all, replied the Judge, with hi
e blandeSt smile ''but the law requires thu
: the facts ustifying a continuance must aT
e pear on record, and the court mas no powC
o to annul the law, nor any will to see it al
It nulled." io5yf I. elai fH.at5I .7a
d The judges calm and business-lke ton
'- and manner only served to irrilate the bu
:, ly, and he retorted, shaking his sword-car
Is in the direction of the bench-"Whatev,
IS may be the law, /, for one win not lear
It its principles from the hps of an upsta
= demagogue and coward." '''9 Sf %
1. Judge Yelps blue eyes shot lightnini
: but he only turned to the clerk and sa
!, quietly-"Mr. Clerk you will enter fir
! y Of fifty dollars against General Smoot, as
;. see him named on my docket for gross COZ
!. tempt OF court; and be sure you issue q
a. immediate execution" tH asdirs
: He had scarcely enunciated the orde
30 when Gen. Smoot was seen rushing I
$ wards him, .brandishipg his sword cane, :
A. his features writing with murderouS wrat
nj and pallid as corpse. ga
t. Every glance was fixed on the countenan
- OF the Judge, for all wished TO know how
ht would brook the coming of the duelis
q fierce assali. Butnone, however could d
ke tect The ,slightest change in his appearans
lis His cheeks grew neither. red nor white;