Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-30
JERE BLACK AND THE PEG.
PLIES VOICE.
How the Founder OF the New
York Herald Convinced
the Great Juris..

w AohANOAONg AuSubS ~ "A uoo
dotes of the late Judge Jere Black
are circulating freely. On bis last
visit to Washington, year ago this
month, he told q correspondent that
he was present at an interview of the
elder Bennett, With President Buchan-
an 1858. Buchanan asked Bennett
how he made the Herald such Q pros
porous paper.
1.-The people," replied Bennett,
support the Herald, and l act on the
principle that the paper in turn should
support the people. | try to make it
a reflex Of public opinion, and to fol-
low rather than to attempt to lead the
public"
Judge Black did not like this poll
cy, and bluntly told Bennett so; he
thought the conductor of newspaper
should have fixed convictions Of his
own II do not believe" he said "in
the old adage, 'vox populi vox Del"
President Buchanan was surprised
at Blacks brusqueness. Bennett
was not surprised, but q triAe mad.
The Judge undertook to squlch the
editor. "Mr. Bennett" he said.
ALLOW me to ask you . question. If
you had lived in the time Of Christ,
when the interests of humanity we're
at stake, when the Savior OF the world
was on trial before Pontius PLATE,
would you have been on the side Of
the mob, the rabble of Jerusalem, who
cried Cruelty himl or would you
have been on the side of the Son Of
God2"
Buchanan was about to interpose,
thinking Bennett was Aoored. The
editor, however, was quick with an
answer. In that broad Scotch accent,
which came to aim in moments Of
excitement, he said:
mr.. Black, / should have been on
the side Of the people. | should have
been on the side Of the multitude, who
as you say. cried out, Cruelty himp
Had he not been crucifed, Mr.. Black,
where to-day would have been your
hope Of sslvation2"
The Judge put no more questions.
The elder Bennett had given him his
sockdolOger. q
When President johnson was re.
turning toWashington after swinging
round the circle" he stopped at Bal
timore and addressed . crowd in front
Of Barnum's Hotel. johnson made
one Of his random speeches, brim-
ming over with patriotism and making
allusion TO his devotion to the Consti
tuition. He was applauded to the
echo, and was delighted with the effect
OF his oratory, On returning to the
parlOr Judge Black was the first to
greet him.
"0h, Mr.. Black" said johnson.
the voice of the people is the voice
of God.
you don't believe anything of the
sort" said the Judge, mindful Of his
experience with Bennett.
II do" was the Presidents reply.
II believe it more than ever | did"
Suppose" said Black, the people
were TO ask you TO do something cons
trary to law, would you violate your
oath OF Office and do III"
mo" answered johnson, II
would say then that the voice OF the
people should be on the side Of the
law"
well" said Judge Black, suppose
you had lived in the days Of Pontius
Plate and had witnessed that immor.
tai scene OF liberating Barrabas on
demand of the mob and turning over
Christ for oruci6xion, would you have
regarded the voice Of the multitude
on that occasion as the voice Of
God?"
President johnson must have heard
Of the Bennett episode. At any rate,
he was equal to the occasion. "Mr.
Black" said he, you forget that |
have the advantage of eighteen cen
turtles Of history. With the light l
have to-day, l certainly should have
been on the side of Christ"
Judge Black collapsed. He was
ever afterward prepared to let the
assertion that the voice of the people
is the voice of God go UnQuestiOned