Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-20
JERE BLACKS BELIEF.
He Was Not a Republican Because He
Believed in a He'll.
FROM q Washington Latter.


WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-Rev. F. D.
Power OF the Vermont avenue Disciples
church, this city, was an intimate friend
OF the late Judge Jeremiah S. Black. He
has large fund of unpublished remin-
iscences and anecdotes that he PROPOSES
to work into a lecture be is preparing for
delivery in Indianapolis next month.
Spending an evening with MIR. Power re-
Gently, he permitted me to have access to
some of this rich material.
at should be understood" said Mr..
Power, ''that Judge Back was a promi-
nent member OF our church, and per-
sonal friend and admirer of Alexander
Campbell, of Virginia. He was ever
ready In the most emphatic way and with
all tue powers of his wonderful logic to
defend orthodox Christianity. When
asked on one occasion why he was not a
member OF the Republican party, he re-
piled:
"'Because, sir, / am believer in fu-
ture rewards and pInishments. l believe
there is he'll, sirl"
Il was with him" Mr.. Power continued.
at his home in York, Pa, while he was
preparing his famous reply to Col. Inger-
soil, which was printed in the North
american RerielU. ] labored with him on
certain points but to little purpose. |
read the manuscript of Col. lngersoll to
him and we discussed the various points.
l urged him not to make the reference he
did TO slavery, telling him that would in
validate his argument with many people;
but he went ahead as he had started and
you Will remember that he was severely
criticised on that point"
1t will be remembered that Judge Black
defended Belknap in his faculties with
the government. Mr.. Power one day
asked the great lawyer what he really
thought of Belknap, anyhow.
"He's an honest man, sir, and history
will prove him to be So" replied the
Judge.
Some years after Mr.. Power, happening
to remember this remark, inquired:
''Well, Judge, what has history proved
in regard to BelknapW
THAI he is a rascal, sir. he has not
paid my fee."
The Judge was one day complaining
that the times were very dull.
"WhY, / supposed the times were al
ways good for lawyers" said Mr.. Power.
Don't rOgues continue to fall OutV
"H0nest men fall out rs well as rogues,
sir" said the Judge. Lawyers do not
deal with rOgues, SIR"
The Judge had little grandson of
whom he was very fond. He used to en-
ter into bargsins with this little fellow in
the most technical and elaborate form,
which both parties were required to sign.
One OF these contracts was TO the effect
that young Jerry was to dnd q certain
pig which belonged to the Judge, and in
consideration for said service the Judge
was to pasture certain calf belonging to
Jerry. The terms of the contract were
carried out TO the letter.
Judge Black had a most remarkable
memory of men and events that took
place many years ago. He would repeat
conversations which he had had with Mr..
Buchanan and others twenty or twenty
five years before with the utmost particu-
larity. One night he had been talking
until nearly midnight in a strain Of inter
estinQ "reminiscences.
"You ought to put your recollectione
into book" said Mr.. Power, ''for the
benefit Of the young men Of this coun-
try"
II know what would benefit one young
man in this country" said the Judge.
"What is that? asked the listener.
"Sleep, sir" and with that be arose and
led the way TO bed.