Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-08-31

ing of hostility towards his views, no man venture
cd n reply.
Looking back dispass onatcly, us are ena-
bled to do at this distance of time, upon the bitter
siriirs of that era, are constrained to acknOw-
lcdgc that far the greater part Of that political OK.
eemcn, was causclcsS Whatever may have been
the predictions of "A few of the partizans Of that
day for the cause Of either OF the great billgcrcnt
powers of Europe, the rival parties themselves, IN
all lhci principles and aims, were American.
They all iederalists--all republicans But
eroundlcss, in some Degree as may have been tho
zeal with which Marshall was acluaed, no one can
Justly question the entire honesty and purity Of
purpose that bore Linn through that conflict, sccur-
inc for him, even from his political opponents, tho
respect due to upright, ayowed and consistent
principle
After filing the office of Secretary of State, for
a short time he WAS designated to the exalted sta
tinn of Chief Justice of the United States. This
post one of the most elevated, responsible and i'm.
poriant known in the history of governments, Ito
occupied for thirtylour years dscharging its deli
cate and arduous functions with the highest credit
To himself aud the most distinguished bcnch to his
country
The decisions OF great, original and indcpcn-
dent mind acting without fear or favour for any
man, raised above the storms of conflicting par,i-
sansl,ip and neither cournC the applause nor
drcadne iha ccnSure Of contemporaries, are always
exposed To miscons'rucuon and detraction. An
eminent example Of Ibis isfrmiy OF human nature;
occurred IN the trial of Aaron Burr. No one
doubted the quilt of that misguided man, and tho
voice of the nation clamorous for his condcn-
nation. The mind of the upright Judge was UNI
mo, ed h, the storm that raecd around him,-exal-
ed 10 his high place. minister, not of the passions,
but of the laws of his country. Although Of
the purcsi and most patriotic oi his fellow citizens
pronounced him worthy oi impeachment, he had
the good fortune To live until his decision Of that
was received IN our legal tribunals ms tho just
exposition OF the principle II involved.
J The Office OF Chief Justice is invested with
peculiar moral subllmy. The decisions of this
Magistrate control lna and rresersibly the inter-
cstS of millions. lleh and momenio'is are the
duties of the Office, i, is found exceedingly dif.
-, y, any constitutional checks or provision,
to guard against its possible abuse, and throw
around il real and practical responsibility As
in ordinary cases, there is no power to limit the aus
thorty 81 control the decisions Of that tribunal,
but the voice Of public opinion, the neccss.y for
penetration the most keen, and probty the most
unNulcd, becomes increasingly urgent. These
high mental and moral qualities, the spontaneous
suffrage of his country has unanimously awarded to
the deceased Judge Whatever doubts may exist
aS To his Interpretation OF the Constitution, no ono
doubts whether he decided according to the un-
N"'N'u ''"' w '''' '''>' WV
best light ot his gleanhc nlnh.
The qualities oil that NINA nave tic'ed inc un-
mingled admiration OF me "o'o. 's so''o'N! nv
power, lis reach, lis prhctra''oh were onfva"e".
In developing un'"ohc" 'of ah''oe"s IN 'couchg
questions the most complex ana embarrassing, 10
simple and obvious elementary propositions in a
feiNlhcnhN 'i'"' uisen'''elt" '''c 'ntH's VI e'"'
and truth that Illuminated TIE af''hccs o' soPhs-
try no man cNce'led NM IN me efaccs OF rhe'o-
rcal expression he may nave perh INFERIOR 10
Mansfield, and, IN originality OF 'hcN'ctua' power.
to Bacon bat tn"'and boasts no name, ass"'.a'cd
WITH lor lnrispinn nee, more coheeh'a 'aah MAR.
stalls 10 the purity OF the Ern'ne, or tnc n'osaf
and mental dignity OF 'he Bench
Ia contemplating 'l'c character I'll our ll'ns"'ous
fellow ciiizeh rs l'ubhc man, "na' ehenv arrests
on attention aud ilNcN our regards, IS MS UNIFORM
and nndeNlh''h" consistency ''s'.''''"'g inc Sug
ees'ion' "l expectancy u popularity anu Scorn-
ING every degree oil SnosrrN''neN 10 party OF !"
power, the only COUNSEL he took WAS from ms own
great mind ANA his true hraf'' W 'i'' no pve-pur.
poses 10 serve; with no directory i'r ms course
other than h'r CONSCIENTIOUS opinions oi PfoPf'cty
aud justice; nnhoson''ns lN sentiments WIN tho
pnlclrNs simplicity oi cmldlnod, ana following out
hrs nndlasemhlcd slr"s WITH the afdof oi truth,
honesty ana t'h's'''h' MS course !" Pupiic me-
like that oi the sun through me heavens was iu-
mlnors, lofty. aud without shadow OF change.
How shall o'i Statesmen be taught 'hat lis
tory, If Size note them at al, VIII trace the' tcrgl-
scrshtions, and nnnanly contentious III the pursuit