The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-10-23
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Famous AboIItiOnlst Entered the
Law at Fifty-Seven.
circumstances of the Admission u
0errf Smith to Bar Of New
York state a. Told BY
Judge Davis. "a
Rx Z. ]. EpMARpa.

- - - - - W ftNtA0a
4 suppose that no lawyer who has
been given a more or less prominent
niche in the history Of our county was
older at the time Of his admission 70
the bar than was Gerrit Smith when
that event happened in his life" said
the late Judge Noah Davis OF the New
York bench, who gained national prom
inence in 1878 when he presided over
the trial which resulted in the con-
vietion Of that arch CRATER. william
NJ. Tweed, on charges Of forgery and
grand larceny.
Gerrit smlth-the same Gerrit
Smith who simultaneously was one OF
the country's leading abolirionists and
largest land owners, the friend OF
John Brown through all his adventures
and yet one Of the three men who
went on the bail bond OF Jefferson
Davis following his capture and i'm
prisonment In Fortress Monroe after
the close OF the Civil war-wag tifty-
seven years Of age when he became
member Of the bar of New York state.
And the circumstances Of his admis-
sion. which be related to me. were ex-
eeptional
Smith went to congress in the mid
iifties from New York district About
that time a runaway slave, known as
Jerry, had made His way across New
York state, had been traced to SYRIA
cuse. and from that city had been able
to cross Lake Ontario into Canada. 80
the United States marshal. acting I'M
der the fugitive slave law. was not
able to lay his hands on Jerry and re-
turn him to bis owner; but he did So
cure evidence. as he thought. which
1 justified the arrest and prosecution OF
several citizens or Syracuse charged
with aiding and abetting the escape OF
4 runaway slave. One of these men
was Moses somers. at that time the
editor OF the leading paper OF Syra-
cuse. The men were accordingly ar
rested and taken to Albany TO be ar
raigned before the United States dis
trict court.
AS soon as Gerrit Smith heard cf
the arrest OF the slepA-his home was
at Peterboro, a short distance from
Syracuse-he hurried to Albany, ofrer-
ed himself as their counsel. had his
offer accepted. and appeared In the
United States court with the accused
men. Smith, let me explain, for years
had appeared before the state and fed
eraI courts. but he had ne er been
admitted 10 the bar--he had always
appeared as next friend. matter US
lally very easy Of arrangement in the
Did days But In this particular case
the court. which had long been sus
pected Of pro-slayery leanings. refused
point blank to permit Mr.. Smith to ap-
pear as next friend for the accused
men. even when Mr. Smith protested
vigorously that he had the right SO to
appear, and the cases were adjourned
for a day to give the prisoners oppor-
unity to obtain counsel who we're
members Of the bar.
Late In the afternoon Of that day
Judge Ira Harris of the state supreme
.ourt and afterwards United States
senator-the father Of the Miss Harris
who sat In the box with President Lin
colin the night OF his assassination in
Ford's theater. called Mr.. Smith be-
lore him.
:" Mr.. Smith. said Judge Harris. 4
have Just been told that the United
States court this morning refused 10
receive you as counsel for the men
who are accused In the Jerry case.
On the ground that you have not been
admitted TO the bar. Now, II you Will
come into my court tomorrow morning
will admit you to the bar ex gracia.
You certainly have every qualification
needed. and have the right to admit
you,
so. the next day. Gerrit Smith. who
had studied law IN his early man
hood and had a wonderful knowledge
Of It, appeared before Judge Harris.
was asked a few questions. was ad
nitted to the bar, and received from
the clerk Of the court his certificate
Then be went to the United States
court room and said to the Judge there
that he was now member OF the bar
Of the supreme court OF New York
state and showed his certificate. he
further stated that he was present to
appear as counsel for the men &C
cused in aiding the slave known as
Jerry to escape. There was nothing
for the court to do but recognize him
as counsel. and he managed the case
so well that the prosecution Of bis
clients was soon abandoned by the
federal authorities. 1t was the first
and last case that Gerrit Smith won
as a lawyer"
Copyright. 1911, by T. J. Edwards. All
Rirhfa Reserved