Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-17
Hon. Il. w, StOughtOn on Judge
Black.
To the Editor of the World.

| To The Editor of the World.
| 1t was doubtless disappointment to the many
admirers of Judge Black that he so long delayed
his threatened reply to an article written by me
| and published in the September number of the
| North American Review. lie has been hitherto
supposed to possess, for ready use exhaustless re-
sources for invention, perversion, vtuperation,
and personal abuse, and his long delay to employ
these against me created the impression that, with
Advancing years, these resources were failing him
His pamphlet addressed to me, aud just pub
llshed IN the sun, aud IN part 10 the World should
quite relieve his friends from this apprehens ion
They must perceive that this, his latest produc-
ton, develops, in full vigor, the qualities for
which he was so distinguished. Indeed a very
mo ierate knowledge of natural history should
| have taught them to expect this, for 1t Is well
know that the fangs OF the serpent become
blunted by age and its ability to insert them into
| its victim dlmlnlshes, the quantity of poisonous
matter accumulates in proportion, and although
this is discharged more slowly and with less eff
| cency the capacity OF the reptile for mischief is
but little impaired.
| | shall not trouble the public, nor misuse your
columns by any attempt to initiate Judge Black
IN these respects. | am not ambitious to share
| reputation seldom sought, never envied, although
| not difficult to attain.
| | alluded in the Review to his official acts, and
to their consequences to our country at time
when II was IN grea. peril, and he the Attorney
General aud responsible law adviser of the Gov,
eminent. lie asserts That L have flashed and
mlsstated his opinion SUCH and also the views
of his chief, MI. Buchanan, as contained in his
Message TO Congress near tne close of his PTesi-
dental term.
Judge Black carefully abstains from presenting
quotations from these papers to sustain his asser-
ton. l invite all who may read his article to
carefully persue both of these documents, and
draw their own conclusions as to the accuracy OF
my statement that when rebellion threatened the
nation with destruction the President and his At
torney- General united in officially declaring that
this Government had no constitutional power to
suppress the revolt by force.
Judge Black also denies that the highest court
of Louisiana had determined that the decision of
the Returning Board OF that State was conclu-
sive, and could not be revised or reversed by its
courts. peruss of the case by me, cited in the
Review, and reported IN the twenty fifth volume
OF the Louisiana Annual Reports for 1873, page
26S will dispose OF this last denial.
lie also insists that Chiet-Justice Church, OF
this State, did not write the letter quoted by me.
by referring to the New York Times published
the 18th of February last an authentic copy OF
that letter viii be found, dated about the ION OF
that month.
Gently reminding Judge Black that with his
excellent constitution and night use of his re-
markable talents, guided by an improved taste he
may yet hope to retrieve reputation not enviable
Tor patriotism, or for purity of style as a contro
vertst, and reminding him also that even the
most coarse and ignorant OF men do not long rev
erence as their superior a person who IN low
abuse and brutality OF expression descends to their
own level, am, &c. h. w. SToUGuToN.