He possessed the moral courage to stand firm to the end, in defiance of opposition and regardless of obloquy, if he could be sure he was right.

But he had begun to doubt, and doubt led him to review with care the position of Mr.
Buchanan, and to examine its inevitable tendencies.

He did it with conscience and courage.

He had none of that subserviency to Southern men which had injured so many Northern Democrats.

Until he entered the Cabinet in 1857, he had never come into personal association with men from the slave-holding States, and his keen observation could not fail to discern the inferiority to himself of the four Southern members of the Cabinet.
Judge Black entered upon his duties as Secretary of State on the 17th of December,--the day on which the Disunion convention of South Carolina assembled.