The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-07-17
Clifford on the Bible.

o"oub PhhfosN ~ WV S"H'-. ~
tate, Of an amusing episode that occurred
while ex.Attorney General Clifford was ar.
guing the exceptions IN the famous" knight
murder case" at the law term IF the 81.
preme Court, recently held in Augusta.
Knight, it will DO recollected, was con.
victed in AndrOscoggin county, before Judge
Rics. Clifford, his counsel, had taken ex.
csptions to the verdict, and was arguing
with his accustomed ability and aoridness
Of eloquence, before tho august tribunal
In solemn conclave sat the six Ju1ges, in an
attitude of apparent profound attention,
seriously impressed with the magnitude of
the issue, and wondering whether the srgu.
ment Of the learned counsel would ever end.
Mr.. Clifford was, more than usual, pomp.
ously bland and deferential to the Court and
to the opposing counsel. In suitable Ian.
guago he had alluded to the imperfections
of his poor humanity, and in the openness
Of his nature, had suggested that he should
receive, with kindness, any suggestions OF
error, into which he might he supposed to
fall. Towards the close of one of the fore
moons, which he occupied in arguing the
case, having occasion to comment on the
testimony OF one of the physicians, who had
sworn that it was, in his opinion, impossible
for Mrs knight to cut her throat in such a
manner, Mr.. Clifford remarked with portion.
tous solemnity, and great emphasis, 4" Sc
cret things belong to God"
At this point, the learned counsel laid
down his brief, took of his spectacles, and
thrusting his hands deep into his pockets,
observed to the Court, that he was indebted
to his honor, Judge Rice, for this thought,
who, at the trial, reminded him that Is was
the language Of Mr.. Spngue, in concluding
his argument for Sager.
Deeply impressed with its forciblc Ian.
guagc, as well as with the originality of the
idea. he, Mr.. Clifford, suspected that it must
have been borrowed by Mr., Sprague, and
now, having devoted some time to the lnvca-
tigation, he was happy to state to the Hon.
Court, that he had traced the quotation to
its source. BY diligently searching the au-
he had ascertaincd that the Ian
guage was first used by A" My Lord Hale, in
his pleas of the crown, referring the Court
to the volume and page.
This was too much for the County Attor-
ney, Mr.. Goddard, one Of the opposing coun-
sci, who interposed, "Oh! Mr.. Clif1ri,
that is in the Bible. You will find 1t in
Deuteronomy, Chap. 2s-v. 90" Taken
unawares at this unexpected correction, MIR.
Clifford turned to Mr.. G. and said, 4" Young
man, you are getting very nervous. / do
not want to be interrupted in this way"
The gravity of the Court relaxed Tor
moment,at this unexpected view of the case'
and il was some moments before the learned
counsel resumed the thread Of his argument,
50 iucontinently broken by the untimely
oor,.o,;or If Mr. Goddard
Tho story reminds us of n very fine one
We once heard in n western State, which is
,oo GOOD 70 h, lost In 1850. n Young
stump orator, who iejoiccd in the Name OF
Alb wa, making an e,ec,;oneerinr tour
,brou,b mar, of the State where no had
formerly resided. II appeared that no, too.
had b,en a sufFsrer bv the proyerbial ingrat.
;tuds Of renublics for some of his former
,ovnsmen and neirhbors, instead of rejoic.
inc Mt hi, advent, had made his return the
signal for tho revival of some old stories of
n character bv no means flatterinr.
So, after discussing the Presidential qucs-
ton at considerable length. our orator touch.
ed upon the attempts that had been made to
undermine his character in that locality.
"But, fellow.citi,ens," said the patriot,
my enemies, not content with attacking
my political reputation, have, with fiendish
malice. sought to blast my private and per.
sonal character, by reyiving and circulating
an atrocious calumny, proceeding to re-
peat it.) But" continued Ahab, in
thus re.yisiting the home Of my childhood,
and the fame .. my youth, l think myself
fortunate in recognizing the familiar face Of
Squire Schooler, an old friend Of my father,
whoi knew me from ooy' ana WHO can
state. from his own knowledge anu reeoilec'
ton, whether this story Is true or 'aise' -
Then thrusting his thumbs into the arm