Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-07

gala academy, Morgantown, w. v. at
Hiram college. in Ohio, and he finished
| his studies at Jefferson college. Can.
onsburg. When he was pupil at Hiram
the late President Garfield was a tutor
there, and the acquaintance thus form.
ed ripened into a personal Friendship,
which was only interrupted by the
presidents tragic death. Their polIti.
cal differences were the widest, as illus.
trated by the scholarly and irresistible
paper. in which Mr. Black took issue
with Mr. Garfield's exultant boast that
the influence OF Jefferson is on the
waae e in our political system.
Young Black was admitted TO the bar
Of Somerset, but never practiced much,
showing early inclination toward jour
nalism and other forms of literary work,
From the beginning his law studies he
wrote for various journals on a wide
range OF top c., doing vast amount oi
effective political work, for which he
had trained himself by profound study
of the fathers OF the Republic, Jefferson
found in him an appreciatiye but dis
crimicating admirer, and the Ilamillo
nian theories encountered his early crit.
cisn aud dissent Study OF the consti.
tuition and Of the discussions over its
adoption and construction only confirm.
ed him in his Democracy, and with the
growth Of ideas he recognized that they
who had founded our institutions had
builded wiser than they knew, iormu.
lating a system which could be pTacti-
cably aud proftably applied to every
question that arose.
MS LAHoRs Is JouRSALIsu.
Since 1873 Mr. Black has been more
closely and continuosly identified with
the journalism of the country
drawing temporarily from it since his
candidacy and nomination for lieuten.
ant governor. In this period he has
been uninterruptedly an editorial con.
tributor TO the New York SIN and 9th.
er prominent journals of the country,
his facile pen being devoted TO no
special range Of subjects, and often
wandering into the more graceful lines
of literature. in which his creations are
as delicate and his fancies as tender Bs
his fulminations are vigorous and eiiec-
tive when hurled at political evils. The
geniality and native humor OF his TEN.
permanent, which make him n social ia.
vorite wherever he j. known ,unmistaka-
bly, manifest themselves in his literary
work, but the sturdy Anglo.Saxon and
yirile thought Of his editorial expression
make il recognizable through almost
any disguise.
Against the evils Of monopoly and
the pretensions of corporations TO be
-. & q l. al.
Of the common people and a just ap
probation Of the rights and dignity OF
labor. to the extirpation OF bossism and
the overthrow of the spoils system.
against corruption in administration.
whether practiced by partisan friend or
Zoe. and for frugality IN public expendi.
lures, his pen has always been effective
service in the cause of the people.
~ foaiTIcs.
Mr.. Black, though student oi poll
tics, has never failed TO take q lahoring
oar in the practical work of campaigns.
Besides the engagement OF his pen for
effective work in many quarters. he has
been hel ri upon the stump year after
year and number of the later platforms
OF the Democratic State Conventions are
accredited to his authorship. In 1879
he represented York county in the
State Convention, and in 1880 be was
one of the delegates from that Congres.
sional district 10 the Cincinnati conven.
ton, voting on the first ballot for Judge
Field and the second for General Han.
cock. Prior TO the late State conven.
tion, from the time his nomination for
Lieutenant Governor was first broached,
the suggestion was received with popu
lar favor, and he was chosen by a large
majority on the first ballot. The selec.
ton was ratified most heartily not only
by the Democratic press Of PeDnsylva
but by many journals Of large influence
outside the State.
MS POLITICAL PRINCIPLES.
Prom his youth up Mr. Black has
been supporter Of those Democratic
principles which he comes TO BY inheri.
lance and holds by intelligent convic.
tion. With ready pen and eloquent
tongue he has steadily maintained them
for over twenty years. In all his utter
ances and writings they never found an.
Ter nor more Citing expression than in
his recent successful effort 70 rivive the
Jelfersonian societies and extend the
study of Jel5ersonian principles. To this
patriotic task be has applied himself
not because of am retrospective tenden.
cy Of bis mind. nor BY reason Of any Tail
ure to profoundly appreciate the apirit
of true progfossvenesa and 10 adapt