Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-09-30

Judge Yell Immediately proceeded to the
seat on the bench, and ordered the Sheriff
to open court. The bland smile on his
handsome features was replaced by Rn ex.
preston Of serene but determined majesty.
The light in his blue eye grew firm and
steady-a something TO be feared as well
as loved. His charge TO the jury was
masterpiece for that meridian. After a
briefdefnition of different species Of crime,
he began general lecture on the necessity,
Importance and duties Of courts. His
clear tones, at first low and persuasive,
gradually rose, and rang, yibraled, and
thrilled the air, filling the ample forum
and rolling far out over the public square
till crowds came rushing from every gro.
cery, thronging the doors and darkenng
the windows, all anxious 10 see and hear.
They stood breathess, fascinated, won.
der.struck, yet delighted while there
stood the bue.eyed magician, weaving the
spell Of words which held them like a vice
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, he seemed incapa-
bic of copulating premises with view 10
keen argument; but still that eIoquence
was incomparably insinuating. It wound
around the soul, pierced through the heart
and rivted every thought like a fine thread
of golden wre.-lt aroused no sudden
cheers, no boisterous feeling. It's effect
was not admiration; it was conviction
Men did not eXclaim, "What an orator !"
but they murmured TO themselves, "llow
true ~
The Judge concluded by alluding TO the
dangers incurred by himself in the admin
istration of even justice; and this last sem
tence, uttered in a terrible voice, thunder.
ed forth the fearless avowal-'I will deal
out 10 every ono-jurors, Witnesses, par.
ties and counsel--the full measure Of Ie-
gal right pertaining to each, and no more
but | 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."
His face was illuminated by the glowing
fire Of passion, his eyes literally blazed
and his very teeth appeared 10 shine with
savage.gleaming radience through hal
parted lips, rigid as iron with the energies
Of indomitnble will Then the insolen
sneer which had produced that final peal
faded from the countenance Of Gen. .Smoof
as be whispered to his myrmidons-
"By heavens! think he'll fight and
mean TO try him before the day is an hour
older"
"His pockets lie smooth | don't think
he's armed,' suggested Col. MIX. Ball, by
way Of encouragement.
81 wonder what he carries that cane for,
it would aid him but little in combat, re.
marked Reub Reynolds, Esq, =,
"That cane, apparently SO light, is a
powerful weapon of solid iron," said Col.
Leeper. "Wiih it one might fell an OK. .
$50 much the BETTER" muttered Gen.
Smoot. at will not then be asserted that
| attacked an unarmed man."
"Go ahead, we'll all back you," whis.
percd NIX. Ball.
Can the reader comprehend this scenel
Can he imagine why this clique OF law.
yers should harbor such deadly hatred
against the unohending strangerl The
singular problem is easily explained
Some Of them had been unsuccessful as
pirants for the Office he then filled, and
they all felt that he would hereafter be a
dangerous competitor for future places oil
profit and honor under the Stale govern.
ment about TO be organized. This painful
consciousness was aggravated TO madness
by the extraordinary impression which
their supposed rival had already and SC
obviously produced in the minds OF the
people. Hence nothing remained but tc
test his courage TO The last extremity-an
awful ordeal 10 which every prolessiona
man must submit who carries his ambi
ton TO the perilous market of the back
woods.
The first case on the docket was called
and the plaintiff stood ready. 1t was al
old case that had been in mitigation for ivt
years. Gen. Smoot arose for the defend
ant, and remarked in an overbearing tone
"Our witnesses are absent, and there
fore dentand that the case be continued
till the next term, in course"
"Let the proper affidavit be filed, 70
not till then can entertain the motion fo
a continuance" was the mild response @
the Judge.
'Do you doubt my word as 10 the facts
, Gen. Smoot exclaimed, sharply, and in
voluntarily raising his sword-cane.
: "Not at all sir" replied the Judge, wit
his bIandest smile ; "but the law require
that The facts justilying a continuance mus
g appear on record, and the court has n
|. power to annul the law, nor any will t
S sec il annuIed."
G The judges calm and business.Iike ton
/. and manner only served 10 irrilae lh
n bully, who retorted, shaking his sword
: cane in the direction of the bencb--"wh hat
ever may be the law, !, for one, will nc
e learn its principles from the lips Of an up