Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-08-24
DEATH or JUDGE RACK.

Judge Jeremiah >. Black, died at his res
idence, "Brackie," near York, Pa, on Sun
day last, in the seventy-fourth year of his
age. The Illness which eliminated in his
death began about week previous. Opera
tions for structure of the urinary organs
were performed on the previous Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday, for the purpose
of affording temporary relief, and the final
operation on Thursday morning. He was
conscious to within few moments of his
death, and passed away without struggle.
Shortly before Judge Black died he said
to his wife, "How can | fear to cross the
dark river when my Father waits for me
on the other shore,' and added, "Would / |
were as comfortable about all leave be-
hind unfinished in this world" and then
breathed the following earnest prayer: "Oh,
Thou beloved and most merciful Heavenly |
Father from whom had my being, and in |
whom have ever trusted, If it be Thy will |
grant that my suffering end, and that |
speedily be called home to Thee. And o,
my God, bless and comfort thee my Mary"
Judge Black was born in the Glades, Som
erset county Pa, on the 10th of January,
1910. He was therefore in the 74th year Of
his age at the time of his death. He was
admitted to the bar in 1880, and while follow
| ing his profession took an active part in the
stormy politics of those days, when the name
of jackson was the rallying cry of Demo
cratic politicians, and Judge Black was
| Democrat throughout the whole of his life of
the sturdiest Jefferson and Jacksonan type
In 1912 he was appointed presiding Judge of
the court of the district in which he resided,
and in 1862 was elected judge of the Supreme
Court of his state and chosen chief justice,
being reelected to the same high position in
1854. On March 5, 1857, the day after Mr..
| Buchanan took his seat as President, he APP
pointed Judge Black Attorney General of
the United States, and three years later dur.
ing he stormy period that preceded the out
break of the civil war, he held the portfolio
of Secretary Of State, continuing in that po-
sition until President Buchanan's term Of
Office expired, on the 4sh of March, 1861.
Judge Black was in 1873 elected mem
Der OF the Pennsylvania constitutional con-
vention on the Democratic ticket of dele
gates at large, and he lowered aloft in that
distinguished assemblage of Pennsylvania S
representative men. In company with Wood
ward and Buckalew and men of that stamp
he vigorously pressed the legislative reforms
sadly needed in the Commonwealth His re-
marks on legislative bribery, the aggressive
power of corporations in collision with po-
litical rings and kindred subjects where in
his characteristic vein, and contributed
much to the general tone of the conven-
tons conclusions. He zealously supported
his favorite proposition to administer an
iron-clad, conscience-clearng oath to mem
bers of the Legislature after their terms had
expired, but his colleagues would not adopt
it, Professional engagements compelled him
to resign his seat before the convention finally
adjourned.
Since then Judge Black has not held office
but, until recently, was more or less ac-
lively engaged in the practice of his pro
fession. lie argued many cases before the
Supreme Court OF the United States, where
his legal ability was held in very high es-
TEEN. Although he did not during this
period Of his life enter actively into poll
tics, yet, as a writer on current political
topics, and especially as II controversialist,
he had no superior. His controversy with
Senator Henry Wilson concerning the pa
triotism of Secretary Stanton and the fidelity
with which he supported, as member of the
cabinet, the policy of President Buchanan,
was masterpiece of mingled adroitness and
sarcasm. His other controversies in vindi-
cation of the memory of Mr.. Buchanan
against lngersoll and recently with Mr.
, Jefferson Davis, were marked by the same
vigorous style and distinguished for the
same ability. 70 the people Of the United
States there have been few persons better
known, either in person or by name, than
the late Judge Black, and more worthy OF
respect for sturdy honesty and uprightness