The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-02
MR.. STANTON AND JUDGE j. g. BLACK.

| The Facts A1out staAton's Intereession
for Bargy. the Pro.siavery Couvict-IIis
Intsrviesvs with Republican Senators
some strange unpublished History.
Among the most remarkable men developed
by the events preceding our civil war. and
who become conspicuous figure during that
exciting period. was tho Hon. jeremiah g.
Black OF Pennsylvania He was learned In
the law. always a leader In his profession. .
gentleman OF rare sagacdty. OF genial but i'm
pulsive temper. with decided antipathies, and
withal an excellent Judge OF human nature.
Nothing 10 better illustrative OF this last
named qualification OF Judge Black than his
high appreciation OF tho late Edwin n. Stan
ton. whose abilities Mr.. Black often com
mended. whose friendship and confidence he
cultivated. while the closest intimacy was al
ways maintained between them. Il was natu-
raj. therefore. that upon Judge Blacks retire
mont from tho office OF Attorney General. to
assume the responsibilities OF Secretary OF
State under President Buchanan. he was graf
lied to have as his successor In the offioo OF
Attorney General his intimate friend and po-
litical associate Edwin NJ. stanton.
That diversity OF opinion should exist dur
Ing tho troublous times after civil war had
been precipltated. especially between men OF
strong convictions "a to policy and method.
is not strange. especially As in the case OF
those two distin guished mon. each insisting
upon the practicability OF his own individual
views. 1t was a natural outcome that there
should be antagonisms and hasty criticisms
as to the motives OF each. without. however.
lesssning the friendship they bore to each
other during their lives
1t is therefore to be regretted that Judge
Black should have boon provoked BY any
tumid story coming from his own political op-
pnpapta aftar thu "A Aath NJ Mr. ntoo 20 n
pear In the public prints in an attack upon tho
inconsistency OF Mr.. Stanton's conduct dur
ing tho time he was Welding office under Q
Democratic Administration.
Tho attack upon Mr.. Stanton emanatsd from
declarations that Mr.. Stanton had held private
conferences with leading Republicans while no
was Attorney General under President Du-
chanan. and such meetings unexplained. and
gagged by the political standard OF Judge
Blacks Democracy. were with him an unpar-
donable offence; but In reality Judge Black
misapprehended the subject upon which Mr..
Stanton met Republican Senators at tho time
referred to.
1t Is possible that the meetings which really
occurred at the time between Mr.. Stanton and
the Republican Senators wore the initiatory to
Mr.. Stanton's becoming Secretary Of War un.
der President Lincoln: but it should he re-
membered that the tender Of office to him was
made at q period whom heroes were needed and
Mr.. Stanton was Union patriot. pure and I'M
deflled. az far above tho grade OF trucking.
place-seektng politicians as angels are above
devilA 10 correct the misiniormation which
led judge Black and others into error as to tho
truth Of Mr.. Stanton's position. tho writer de-
sires 10 state some facts not before published,
Prior TO the civil war. and during the Ad.
ministratlon OF President Buchanan. thers was
in Washington city . so-cslled Liberal League.
The regular meetings wsre held on tho Sab
BATH tho place OF meeting was q building on
Z street. then known as Temperance Hall; the
same building Is now occupied as . branch of
tho Sixth AUDITORS offloe, bureau con-
nected with the General Post ONCE Do
partment. Tho membership OF the league
consisted Of liberals in theology, generally
anti-eavery In sentiment, and nearly all Of
them professed to DO Americans In politics
For the better comprehension Of this mar
rative tho names OF two members OF tho
Liberal League will be introduced. ono named
BENJAMIN Chambers an ingenious artisan, a
great admirer OF Thomas Palno. and an In
ventive character Of considerable ability. Tho
other 1med William Boyd. an eccentric busy
BODY. a cure-all practitioner OF medicine. wiry.
petulant and sxcitabls. possessed Of violent
and disturbing ansi-slavery tendencies. which
in q slave holding community were held as
akin to monomania.
Tho meetings OF the Liberal League were
open to the public and the proceedings were
frequently attended by visitors. but tho anti
slavery and heterodox tendencies Of tho discus
sions were not hold In high esteem By the
church-lovinG citizens OF Washington. Con-
sequently there were few meetings when thers
was not ample seating room for all persons
who desired to attend such an assemblage.
Among tho attractive participants In these
Sunday 0atharinua W. n lo1 oS
mandlnG figure. pleasant features. and sty-
lsh appearance. Several admirers were
charmed with the fair one but tho most
favored sutton was Ludam A. Bargy. q gradu-
ate OF GEORGETOWN. d. G.. College, q fine do.
batter. q dashing young fellow and always
faultlessly dressed. During the progress OF
love making between the fair attendant OF tho
league and Mr.. Bargy. the latter held the poet
OF clerk TO the Committee OF Military Affairs
OF the Thirty fifth Congress and private secre-
tary to Gen. john A. QuitmRn then Repre-
sentative from Mississippi and Chairman of
that committee.
Mr.. BarGy was a frequent attendant at tho
league meetings and would occasionally take
part in tho discussions Theologically he pro
Attempted to disguise his hostility to ali phases
OF reasoning tending to tho abolition OF slavery.
haImony prevalent: in the proceedines D Of the
LEAGUE; IN tnct there was an irTeGoncilabls
f IKE M he Of and Dr. General ny
character was that it formed compound Of
Bargy's estimate OF BOYD was that he was !,
cray fanatic. made up OF impudence. negro
stealing and inildclity.
AT lne close OF tho Thirty. NTH Congress in
March. 1852 Mr.. Bargy was out of employ
iueut. Ills habits bordereh on reckless ex-
travaGanco NJ VARIANCE with the, customs OF
SUI. OF money from BENJAMIN Chnmbers, out
OF which TRANSACTION Legal proceedings ,wero
ton. resulting. August. 1850. in Bargy's con-
Wet on ana sent ence TO two years servitude In
the District pom ltentiary. Robert Ould. United
States District Attorney. prosecuted: MessrS.
Rnhciil and Norr tor tho defence.
While John Brown was preparing to attack
Hnrr"r', Ferry. in the visionary effort to free
the slaves OF Virginia DIR. Boyd was practically
engaged iu freeing tho slaves OF the Distr:t OF
Columbia. The Doctor was possesseI OF II Pc
culinr kind Oi carrral. constructed with a
douLs deck or fal. Q bolt m arranged to carry
garden truck on tho upper deck. while in the
lower compartment no con- ealed slaves wnoiL
no conveyed from Washington to rennsyi.
vania. DIR. Boyd was encouraged mud nided in
fhiR n n by OWen l.OyeiOy than ,nan,