The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-08-25
DEATH JUDGE BLACK.
A Great Jurist and Christian Statesman
has Crossed the Dark River.


been taken with Il structure of the neck o
the bladder, occasloned by an unusually
enlarged PROSTATE gland After a grea,
deal Of persuasion he consented to IN Op
Grafton, which was so successful rs appar
emily to afford permanent relief; but day
or two later pyamia set in, which was the
immediate cause of his death.
HIS death was calm and peaceful as the
setting OF a summers sun. Just before his
dissolution he spoke with confidence of
the future, saying to his son Chauncey
that he had no fear of crossing the dark
river, adding: II would that | were as
comfortable about what leave behind in
this world" lie spoke of business and
private matters to his son, and IN the midst
of 1t would stop and refer TO his faith IN
Christ. On one occasion he said: II
would not have you think for a momen,
that fear to cross this river. have TAX
en- care to arrange for my future over
there, and death has no terrors for me-"
When his beloved wife knelt by his bed.
side, comforting him with her sympathy
and love, he gave utterance to the following
prayer: 80, Thou beloved and most mer-
ciful Father, from whom | had my being
and In whom have ever trusted, grant, If
it be Thy will, that no longer suffer this
agony, and that be speedily called home
to Thee. And o, my God, bless and COM
fort this my Mary"
His remains were inferred at Prospect
Hill, York, at O'Clock Tuesday afternoon
The Rev. Mr.. Powers, of Washington, the
pastor of the late President Garfield, official
ed Many distinguished people were pres
ent al the funeral.
jeremiah S. Black was born January 10,
1910, in Glades, Somerset county, Pa, and
devoted himself to the study of law ever
since reaching manhood. Admitted to the
bar IN 1880, he soon became so prominent
IN his profession that he in April, 1912
was appointed presiding Judge IN the dis
trict in which he lived. In 1851 he was
elected to the bench of the Supreme Court
of Pennsylvania, and was made Chief JUS
tice. In 1854 on the expiration of his term,
he was re elected. His greatest distinction
he gained after March 5, 1857, when he was
appointed Attorney General by President
Buchanan. Buchanan and Black had first
met in Harrisburg in 1S43. Their &C
quaintance did not grow rapidly, for they
did not often see each other for some years
after their introduction. But by and by
there sprung up friendship between
them as lasting as lite. They did much
confidential correspondence ana often met
at Bedford Springs and talked over the
present and forecast the future
During all the dissensions which char
scterlzed the life of the Nation during Mr..
finally led to the rebellion, during the
financial crlcis of 1857, and all the other
trials of those times, Judge Black was o.
central figure Ill the administration, which
or wrongfully, was credited with
them. As Attorney General he was not
the Presidents chief adviser,
yet his long and intimate acquaintance
with Mr.. Buchanan naturally forced him
into that position, and he was charged with
many of the acls and utterances OF his chief
that he not only actually but strenuously
opposed. Gong to Washington as he did,
the especial friend OF the President with a
reputation as jurst and
o scholar, it was natural that he should at
once take front seat IN the political coun'
ellis of his party and first place in the so.
ciety Of the National Capital. His mar
velous conversational powers, his keen
wit and InexhaustIble fund of anecdotes
and information soon made him a favorite
in all circles and among all classes. HIS
political opponents, as we'll US his party
even in those days when party |
spirit ran almost TO a personal violence,
sought his company and enjoyed his
1t was not until 1860, when the Southern
Democrats were maturing their schemes OF
and began to surround the Presi-
lent with their aggressive and pernlcious
Influences, that the two drifted apart and
N a measure took directly opposite
grounds upon the vital questions which
hen forced themselves upon the Executive
power Buchanan believed in the value of
emporizing delay, Black IN the rigid en-
orcement of the laws. Buchanan thought
hey were political questions TO be settled
~ concession and compromise. Black
declared that they were matters with
which the President ought to deal and
meet, as far as possible, with the whole
power Of the government. Their first diff
erence upon these questions WAS in No,
'ember, 1860. and 1t was very painful
me to both. Buchanan had asked Judge
Black for his legal opinion as to the rights
# states under the constitution, and the
,ower of the executive in suppressing re-
,ellion. The paper was prepared, and the
Attorney General reviewed at considerable
ength the whole question Of State rights
md the power and duty of the executive in
he impending crisis.
In that paper appeared the following
mphatic paragraph:
The Union is necessarily perpetual. No
tate can lawfully withdraw or be expelled
rom 1t. The federal constitution Is as
much part of the constitution Of every
tate rs il 1t had been textually inserted
herein. The federal government is sover-
ign within its own sphere and acts direct
Y upon the individual citizens of every
tate. Within these limits its coercive
'cwer is ample to defend itself, its laws,
nd Its property. 1t can suppress insur-
ection, fight battles, conquer armies, dis
'erse hostile combinations, and punish any /.
n Ali of its enemies. IL can meet yepell