The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-02-18
ATTORNEY GENERAL BLACK.

We publish with pleasure, says the Pbladel-
phia PenHsylranian, the accompanying ex-
tract fron LITTER written by one OF The most
intelligent and accomplished visitors at the
National capital. 1t viii be gratifying, not
only TO the personal and political friends oi
Judge Black, bot also 10 the pride Of our noble
old Commonwealth, to learn the estimate 10
which this distinguished citizen is held. We
have heard from many quarters the highest eu-
!ogiums pronounced upon the arguments of the
Attorney General during the present term Of
the Supreme Court, especially his great speech
in the Suffer case, which has been considered
by many good Judges, the ablPst and most
powerful argument made before that high tFl5u-
nal for many years.
WAsHIxGrox, Jan. IS, l859.-Few places
on the American Continent are as interesting,
to an educated mind, as The Supreme Court
room in ibis city uh-n the Court is in session.
The importance of the cases brought before
tha; high tribunal brings hither The drst legal
intellecis Of our country TO engage ia their dis
cussiou.
Here may be seen The ables men in the two
Houses OF Congress, engaged in the prosecution
and defence Of the interests oil their clients aqd
ii - striking 70 observe, low coH#pfr-PFt sssgF
wordy, irrelevant siyle oi oratnrv, 50 comGJa
on tile floor Of the House and Senate, gives Ray
70 The terse, pointed, acute logic Of the skiliio.
advocate.
il proves that the practice Of talking ategg
from the point, IS not, as some have supposed.
inherent in the American Orator; but that h.
assumes ii for purpose, ard can lay ii ASIDE
when he chooses. Among the men OF mark
and power who figure in this forum, uoae stand
higher than Hon. j. 5. Black, the preseft At
torney General oflhe Unitrd States.
Pennsylvania has reason to be proud Of such
a son. Calm, dignifed and logical, be yeI
combines with his arguments iorcibIe and
Plthy eloquence, that adds greatly TO the poisl
and weight Of his reasoning.
He shows not only The profound thought and
extensive reading Of The thoroughly trained
lawyer, bat also the refnementS and gTaces Of
the ripe and classic scholar. In his hands The
/ dry abslractions Of The law are invested with
beaulies Of cultivated taste and the attractions
OF warm and sympathetic feeling.
+ AS spectator in the Court room, | have
had the pleasure Of hearing him discuss two
I cases Of very interesting character. One was
the claim OF the celebrated Capt Sutter, of Cali
( fornla, 10 princely domain in tha, State, en-
bracing the cities OF Sacramento and Marysyille,
and an immense territory OF valuable land
The Attorney General opposed the claim on be-
half Of the Government II is not my province
to decide the right Of The case, but ! will say
that The argument of Judge Black was mag
nifcent specimen Of forensic eloquence and
power, aud will not soon be forgotten by any
who heard it,
The other case was from Wisconsin, touch
ing an attempt on the part Of the Supreme Court
OF that State 10 nulliiy tke Fugitive Slave act, ],
and prevent its execution by the Use of the
writ Of habeas corpus. He sustained The eaa=
siltutioDality of the Act, defined the true limits
OF the ha6eas corpus power, and defended the
rights Of the Federal judiciary in a mastery
and convincing manner. He argued the ques-
ton not only as lawyer, but as Statesman,
and laid down and defended the true limits Of
the State and Federal Courts, with broad and
comprehensive logic that showed him master Of
the subject.
The arguments which have heard from him
have satisfied me that more fortunate selection
could not have been made for the important
post he fills.