Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-10-08


able paper of the 9th ult a communica-
ton signed "A Member of the w. B.
Ban" purporting to contain an abstract of
the Docket entry in the 9.,..a ease Of the G9m
Surety Of the Peace case disposed of by
the Court of Quarter Sessions OF Lycoming
county at August sessions, 1912, of which
the Hon. Ellis Lewis was then President
Jud ge. The writer of that communication
was not present at the trial, Or he would
not have made such unfounded assertions
He says the decision "created much sur
prise at the time, and met the strong
disapproval of many leading professional
minds in the State" l would ask the
writer to name single lawyer of standing
that would risk his legal reputation by
denying the correctness of that decision
l am sure no parent would say the decision
was wrong. 1 happened to be present at
the trial, and heard of no complaint when
the decision was given but on the contra
ry the Judge was applauded for the inde-
pendent and honorable course he pursued,
and besides he was called on by committee
for copy of his opinion for publication.
The Rev. DR. Wayland, President of the
Brown University, one of the most learned
of the Baptist denomination, after reading
the decision of Judge Lewis, came out
under his own signature, giving it his
hearty approval. I am well acquainted
with Rev. Mr. Hall, and know him to be
a very worthy man. But in his over anxi-
city to make accessions to his church, he
committed a mistake by immersing the
minor daughter of DR.. Armstrong without
the appreciation of her parents. DR..
Armstrong, feeling that the parental in
junction was disregarded, became excited,
and in the excitement Of the moment made
threats towards the Rev. Mr. Hall, which
induced the prosecution. After the whole
case was heard before the Court, Judge
Lewis ordered DIR. Armstrong to give
security to keep the peace. But as Mr.
Hall had been in the wrong in not obtain
ing the appreciation of the parents, the
Judge ordered him to pay the costs, which
was but trihe, and | am not certain
whether Mr. Hall paid any of it. This
matter is now raked up for the purpose of
inducing the Baptist denomination to
withhold their votes from Judge Lewis.
1t is not out of sympathy for the Baptists
that the writer of that communication is
making himself SO busy in having it pub
lished in the different papers, but to satisfy
a private grudge. If he thinks by his
course he can induce Baptists to oppose
Judge Lewis, he will find himself very
much mistaken; they are not so easily
duped
Some ill disposed person or persons have
been trying to poison the public mind
against Judge Lewis by publishing base
slanders in the way of communications
and pamphlets. We generally find that
our best men are most abused. Who was
slandered more than jackson, Harrison
and Clay? After the contest was ended,
all admitted that they were great and good
men. Judge Lewis is selfmade man.
He was not blessed with rich parents (if it
can be called blessing, but was left a poor
orphan boy to seek livelihood. He
learned the printing trade, afterwards
studied law, was elected to the Legislature
in Gov. Wolfe's time; the Governor soon
discovered that be was man of talents,
and appointed him his Attorney General,
and one of his first acts after be accepted
the Attorney Generalship, was to appoint
VIM. F. Johnston, the present excellent