New-York tribune., 1870-09-27
OBITUARY.
ROBERT c. GRIER.


Robert c. Grier, who died at his home in
Philadelphia on Sunday last, was born in Cumberland
Couuty, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1894 In his youth he
WAS distinguished for considerable general well as
sound legal scholarship He for time at the head
the Northumberland College, where he rendered ex
Tring of the slow process OF teaching he
turned hs uncommon legal topractcal use at
The bar ginning practice in his native county and
ultimately extending over the eastern part of the state
In 1888 ne had brought himself into such prominence
y his great and careful treatment of cases, that
be appointed President Judge Of the District Court
Df Allegheny. During 20 years Of study and toll as
teacher and practcng lawyer the young man had sup
ported his family Of ten brothers and his mother HIS
brothers he educated literally and established them IN
good positions before he gave over his fathery WATCH
fuuess In his position Judge he continued that sue
cessul career Of industrious and energetic effort which
eventually brought him under the notice of President
Polk who in 1916 appointed him to the supreme Dehch III
place Of Henry Baldwin, deceased
Among the celebrated trials with which Judge Grier
WAS identified was that Of Castner HanWay, VINO was
put on trial before the Circuit Court for the eastern DIS
rict Of PENNSYLVANIA in 1851 the charge OF resisting
The Infamous Fugitive Slave law of 1880 This trial was
bf great impOrauce occurring it did soon aiter tha
scandaous measure became the law OF the land ana II
awakened great deal Of interest on both sides OF mason
and Dixon's ne The United States were represented
10y John W. A,hmead, George L. Ashmead, and James
r. Ludlow esqs. Maryland, by Robert j. Brent
lame. Cooper and W Lee and the defendant by John
NJ Read j. j. Lewis of West Chester Theodore NY
Thiddeu, Stevens and W. Arthur Jackson The trial
es opened on the Path OF November and not concluded
nutu Dec. l5 The testimony developed the facts that
Noah Buey aud other slaves of Edward Gorsuch OF Bal
imorc County Nd escaped, and took refuge in Christi
ana Lancaster County, Penn Henry II. Khne, well
known character in Philadelphia was deputzed TO arrest
Bucy and other fugitiyes several DelnS neu III te @
Of Gorsuch family proceeded to Chrlstla ana heIe
Al the house Of named Parker found the 1uglVes
Yb. Ks resisted.
n 10 aid the United States officers, but refused In the
ight Edwdrd Gorsuch, the slave master, was killed. ana
tbers ~ the party were wounded. charge against
anway was based simply on the fact of refusing to
aid to have encouraged the fugtyes to resist and TO
purpose Kline testified that when he called on Han
way % aid him he refused and declared that the slaves
had right to defend ana tnat M ne Se t5
1rug commenced, and rode about on horseback Whie
he Aht wa going The defense denied all OF these ale
cations and called witnesses 10 prove th9 hahMd %
fore the fight commenced, warned the Marshal OF tne
danger IN attempting to make the arrests ana adVSeu
In the course Of his charge to the jury in this ease'
Without at present expressing any opinion & whether
me present Outrage IS TO 2e SS9sS9 Snk II due 10 the
reputation Of the people OF TINS e. 20 SaS
that with the exception OF few individuals OF prNerleu
inteIIect some small districts or neghborhOods whose
moral atmosphere has been tainted and poisoned by
male and female vagrant lecturers ana conventons no
marty I'm politics no sect of religion OF any Respectable
numbers character, can be found wInh our d
who have viewed with appreciation OF looheu !Si
tragedy. 1t is not III TINS han OI lhuc-
nendence that meetings Of nfuriated fanatics ana l-
principcd demagogues have been heu 10 tVuoi t .;
tb.cty that conventions held denOuncng the Con,
stItutiOn. the laws. and the Bible ~ Is hOt ntIt a'
the pulpit has been desecrdted by sediOu
eachug nat theft lnertOrOus murder excusaDle ana
treason virtue. The guilt OF TINS tOu NJ ny
alone on the deluded individuals who were its immediate
erperaor but the blood taints Will even deeper iye
The those who promulgated doctrines suD'eIsNe
of an morality and ali government
But although Judge Grier took such high ground on
the duty Of strict enforcement OF tae law, ne ue i
fIs
Without desirng TO invade the prerogatives OF the
ry i'm dne the FACTS of the case the Court feel bound
10 say that they do not think the transaction with which
t prisoner is charged with being connected rises TO the
ii gnity OF treason or a lcyying OF war. 100. IT,,
The result of the tral was verdict OF " MOI 8u'E'
Allied With he Democratic party before the war;
Judge Grer gave to the Government hrIn ana unique
ha address the jury the piracy case Of me InGa ,
and Judge Cadwalader, he thus treated the abstract
right OF Secession: o..,,,,,
ton either in It's letter its spirit. 80 it would ne
Jeo de S. II is Government and Constitution ordained
mere temporary compact Of independent and sovereign
Confederaes Judge tie tree by its fruits and we see
our country 1--WE need not go TO MeXco with than
sa ssds with RGH blood This aFcd % war Gffs'H is NOT only
the fruit of this doctrine but the denomination OF h
inquity. What mighty armies arrayed for but
TO compel by force ils acknowledgment by those
whom reason cannot convince OF its absurdlty. why
their government by revolution Can that justify the
rebellion OF those who never oppressed but who
seek 10 substitute military tyranny for the purpose Of
cOnquestand OppresslonF
After good deal Of hesitation on account OF the op
tson Of his family he handed In his resignation, and
EdWin NJ stanton appointed In his stead his
I@aIfh has been delicate for a long time.
President Grant, In accepting his resignation wrote;
In iokin0 upou your long and honorable career IN the
,lic service IL must especially gratifying to your
,f to remember as IL Is agreeable duty ana priv
NJ e an this occasion thus distinctly 10 recCgIN lhe
Ieat service which you were able 10 render 10 your
country In the darkest hour OF heT hstoty D tY otso @
and ,,atri0tc frInness with which you upelu the Jus
powers of the Government, and Vindcaled the Isnt VI
The nation under thg COustl9pVh' W n"'p"'u l'' w"