New-York tribune., 1870-09-23
WooDFORD AS A CIVILIAN.

In the Saratoga Convention, the motion of
Mr.. Curtis to make Gen. WoODFoRD's nomination unan
nous sustained in Il strong speech by the Hon. l.
Delahed Smith, District Attorney at New-York under
LncOus Administration, whose name is hOnoraby asso
cated with the suppression Of the slave trade and the
enforcement Of the laws OF the United States In
the City OF New-York during the Rebellion
The following extract from this speech bears
testimony TO the ability and services Of Cen
WOodford a civilian, in the early progress OF tie
war Mr. Smith sad Believing that justice and eX-
pediency to-day Identical have voted f0r Horace
Greeley first aud last But the nomination or stewart L.
WOOdfOrd strong and stirring one. II VIII rouse the
voung Republican Democracy Of the State 70 effort and 10
action sure Of unanimous ADOPTION the pehGlHS Ioto
professional career which ought to e as vel known to
every patriotic voter OF the state as II Is 10 Inc n oi ,e
City of New York and especially 10 those VINO haDtudy
practice in she courts Of the United states All Ieeh
Der that his voice was familiar to Republican masses
i'm 1866 and 1860 and that his young was honorcd on
that made the official and professional record 70 which
now refer At the earnest request of the late Gov John
A King and Others made him an assistant when was
appointed Disrict-AttOrney at NewY0rk at the com
mencement OF President Lincolns administration IN
April The war broke upOn us ana our Government
issued the proclamation bockadng the Southern ports
The bark HaWaha captured by our naval forces and
brought TO NewYork as prize Of war Ship after chip
seized and sent for adjudication IN our metropoan
courts The law regaEdiIg X pze WIN nS mn SeS e5es &
minStered since our contest Win ln-tuu IN IoI- II
new except in theoretical learning TO the lawyers
the present generation Great questions arose a. TO
the application to civil war OF the law of prze as adj
minstered under the law or nations Those questlons
at NewYOr before their final decision in the Supreme
Court at Washington. The practice was novel,
and the principle itself uncertain. success
before the courts was necessary to sustain
the blockade and thus stop the flow OF
British arms supplies, aud medicines into Rebel cities
and camps. IL gsh shpCwners. through Her Maiestys
COnSuls and Ministers, employed lawyers OF eninence
Additional questions raised and uliucuCs tl1Jl-
ted. Constitution makes Congress the war making
mower. The Executive Department, and not Congress,
recognized the war IN ms attempt at plocKade Inc
blockade pronounced nUllty, ana every seizure
illegal Irregularities and oversigts were dscoNtTed IN
but bold and patriotic action or the President
To sustain these captures was 10 cripple the COedcfacy
reduce the insidOus Wes OF the kngsn astOcfdcy
and of the French Emperor 10 q comparative minimum
OF mischief Ny studies and labors were at that
time divided between this branch Of puDne uuy ana my
At this iuncture Woodford devoted himself day and
night TO mastering the law OF prize. Tho case OF cap
ured ships prepared by him Tor tnM Win uhtI
to the law, and with GlasllNe nu,ty
in the preparation Of the evidence. proud of nun
as stood by in court, augnentng the mdsrlals OF
my advocacy, and at last stepping forward aont
Of bis own intellectual gifts, owed much subsequent
TO my learned and able assistant, George T. ANDREWS
whose mOdesty equal 20 his merit But ne ON
tions of myself and the Government 70 stewart l. NoOu-
ford cannot be stated. That llustnous lawyer,
| the late Daniel Lord, repeatedly spoke OF Noou
Of iurists who st i've 10 Dear el test
inOnv II young and inexperienced 10 WIN me auieIS
of veteran advocates he nevertheless aciIeHSu o
tous which assured 10 him rapid proicssaLa auVahce
ment But recognizing an opportunity 10 slg4iilS ~ a..
vance the recruiting Of regiment among ooilIaues anu a
acquantanoes on Long ls,anS, no aJd aeIt to The
ramI 10 the held u military OutpOsts ana 10 nafus
tribunals There his example ana MS services ~i l
great benefit 10 the cause OF the country ,uy ms rs
eghteen months OF civil honor ana Ohcai ustiulI's ~
| Neyy-York established equal claim To grautlue anu
coneJenca His legal abilities and executive iO4'c aIe
1 worthy OF his patriotism ana public splilt