The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-09-08
From the Philadelphia Press
AN INCIDENT RECALLEOs
Judge Blacks Last Talk with
H0Wen Cobb and Jeff. Davis.

Judge Blacks Last Talk with
Howell Cobb and Jeff. Davis.
Mr.. Howell Cobb, Secretary of the
Treasury. who had for q long time
been upon excellent terms with Judge
Black, called upon him at the Aitor-
ney Generals Office one day after q
somewhat heated discussion about
Samier and the Southern situation
generally. b ack had said some very
pointed things about Mr.. Cobb's ac-
tiohs and ntterances, and iDtima.ed
that they, being i'll direct conflict with
the views OF the Administration, were
likely 10 bring discredit upon it. This
brought Cobb to the Attorney Gener-
ais Office, and the conference bet " cen
the two members of Mr.. Buchanan's
Cabinet was very animated and at
times warm. Cobb wanted to reach
some amicable understanding which
would leave him free to- urge his
Southern views upon the President
and act in the interest of the South
and secession, and still remain in the
Cabinet. This effort naturally led to
a discussion of his position upon all
the points involved, and when he had
fully stated his views this is the an.
Nv OA hO ASSGivVA AAOA Ou0zC Dl0Ch
You and can haYe no misander-
standing upon this subject, but there
is one man above US, and but one, who
can settle this dispute. / will state my
position upon the Secession movement
in writing, and can do it in three lines.
| will SO state it, and submit It to the
President. If he does not agree with
me | will resign in five minutes. If
ho danc with
the same, for there is certainly not
room enough in the Cabinet for both
of us while holding and expressing
such diverse views.a Cobb got in q
great rage, and said:
Judge Black, you cannot insult me
unless you intend to, but, sir, ne other
man could talk to me in this way with
out fighting for his life."
Mr.. Black disavewed any personal
insult, but strongly maintained the
position he had taken that no officer
of the Government had q right to talk
and plot against it while holding an
office under it, and Cobb left in high
dudgeon and very soon after resigned.
The account OF Mr.. Ccbb's visit to
Judge Black recalls visit of Judge
Black TO jeff Davis about the same
time. The story goes that Just after
Davis returned from Mississippi,su
mened by telegram from two South
ern members of Mr.. Buchanan's Cab
met, Black met him upon Pennsylva-
MIA Avenue, and asked:
How are things at homer"
81 can hardly say" replied Davis.
{. am in the breeching holding back.
am behind my people. 1 fear the
worst unless there is great caution"
The same evening Judge Black went
to Mr.. Davis house with Mr.. Thomp-
son, Secretary of the Interior, who
was q prominent Union man, ,aithough
q Southerner. The conversation there
is described by an eminent witness as
intensely interesting. Judge Blacks
said he, against secession
was masteriy, and he undertook in q
talk lasting from early evening until
late at night 10 prove the fallacy of
the doctrine of secession. He seemed
to feel" said my in ofmant, that if
he could induce Davis to ase his gre
inAuence against secession tha, s,ass
OF the other STATES would tolio g Sau:b
Carolina. Tbs w. gtz bi 1ls
visit and argum
If yeu will d. yoar y rf-' ,ait' iee
to Davis, South C,fctina svi.I b. 1T
alone to strut about for time and ar
her arrogance. Davis seemed 10 ieel
the weight of Judge Blacks plea, and
was evidently much impressed, but
said that it waa no use. The current
was too strong and could not be stay
ed. Black replied:
"Stand out upon the bank and make
the effort. Ii is better to be drowned
N the overflow than swept on in the
madness OF the stream aud drowned
finally in the gulf OF secession and
ruin, when one effort might have saw
ed ALL Both Davis and Thompson
replied:
6 1t is too late"
Thus ended Blacks effort to induce
jeff Davis to leave the path in which
he had made up his mind TO travel.