Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-11-18
Democratic maj. ..ls, SAC
Judge william NJ. MerricL

The following we copy from the Washing
ton Sunday Herald:
The election Of the Hon. William NJ. Mer-
rick to Congress has become a subject d
mutual congratuation to the citizens of the
District. When formerly identified with oui
interests, he Won the regard and respect ol
the community by his social virtues as gen.
tleman and by his integrity and ability as a
Judge. 1t is, therefore, with no ordinary SEN
timents of pleasure and friendship that hi.
presence in the national legislature is hailed
Independent of the local Importance Of. Judg,
Merrick's election to US, we look forward to
the benefits that may accrue to the country a,
large by the presence in its councils of a pro-
found lawyer, an honest statesman, and a
fearless man.
Judge Merrick is the half brother of Rich
ard Il. Merrick, ESQ. ,.of our bar, who also
stands in the front ranks of the Democracy
and the son of the late Hon. William D. Mer-
rick, who in his lifetime was prominent man
both in State and national politics He rep
resented Maryland in the Senate from 1888
to 1915, aud is gratefully recognized as the
author Of the cheap postage scheme in Gu
gress.
revves some interesting recollections of the
past, and turns the mind back IL the first
struggle between civil law and military all
thority, when he appeared as the champion
and martyr of the one, and General A. Porter
as the means and instrument of the other.
Surprising this chapter from the past would
interest our readers, i've annex it, being als''
an illustration Of the independent spirit and
lively appreciation of the sacredness of law
that characterize JudseM M. "a t1
On the 10Th October, 1861, Judge Merrick
issued writ Of habeas corpus directing Pro-
vost Marshal General A, Porter to produce a
minor, named John Murphy, enlisted in the
service. Mr.. Foley, the attorney in the case
served the writ, and was told by Porter that
be would consult the Secretary, and that he,
Foley, must consider himself under arrest
Eleven o'clock NJ nda6 October 21st, Foley
was arrested and but "a the guardhouse, the
boy having been previously released. In the
evening Judge Melrick returned from visit
to Georgetown, and found scntries placed al
his door. Judge M. wrote from his house a
letter to bis associates on the bench, of which
this is the conclusion: = -
EARNED sentries from that time Is o'clock
p. NJ. continuously until now have been sta
toned in front of my house. Thus it appears
that military officer, against whom writ
in the appointed form of law has issued, first
threatened with and afterwards ares ed and
imprisoned the attorney who rightfully serv-
ed the writ upon him. He continued, and
still continues, in contempt and disregard OF
the mandate of the law, and has ignominious-
ly placed an armed guard to insult and in
timidate, by its presence, the judge who or
dered the writ to issue, and still keeps up this
armed array at his door in defiance and CON-
tempt of the justice of the land. Under these
circumstances, respectfully request the Chief
Justice of the Circuit Court to cause this
memorandum to be read in open court, to
show the reasons for my absence from my
Ilace upon the bench and that he will cause
this paper to be entered at length on the min
utes Of the court, alongside the record of my
absence, to show, through all time, the rea-
sons why do not, this 221 of October, 1861,
appear in my accustomed place.
"WM. NJ. MERRIcK,
Associate Judge Circuit Court,
"District Of Columbia"
The Chief Justice Dunlop, here stated that
the court would proceed to lay an order on
Gen. Porter to show cause, which was issued,
but not served, through the timidity of the
Marshal, and the venerable Associate Justice
Morsell, after some spicy comments on the
whole affair, said: 81 intend to do my duty,
and vindicate the character of this court as
long as | sit here. am an old man, and
horo h,,t - fa,, ,,,o,, 1.-Two The dook of