Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-06-18
Nro@ tie Norfolk Beacoa.
CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL


was such as TO permit him TO enjoy his
accustomed walks, and We are happy
to hear IT. Few men viii excite the
attention and laudable curiosity of future
time With greater intensity than JoHs
MARSHALL. A conspicuous leader in
the House of Representatives; one of
the secretaries Of the successor of Wash.
ingtnn; the historian of Washington and
has firmest defender; the Judge, the i'm
press OF whose genius will be seen and
felt, for good or evil, as long as the fed
eral constitution shall exist. Ordinary
abilities, exerted in either of these de-
Partments, with industry and integrity
may Justly merit the regard Of future
age; but when the most profound intel
lect is united with un6ring industry
and unblemished honor, in an individ-
ual, who. whether in the forum, the SEN
ate, or on the judgement seat, has ever
been inst among the first,-the master
spirit among the master-spirits-for
such 4 man what harvest of fame is
gatherings Such is John Marshall,
and such field is before him.
As politician, we may be said 70
view him in the light Of posteriiy. He
passed from the political arena at the
latter part Of the last century, and few
survive who str lggled with him in the
lists OF fame. We can trace him, in
the Convention of Virginia that ratified
The federal constitution first DELHI.
erative assembly in which he ever ap-
peared-youthful. indeed, but burning
with spirit ofgenerous emulation, and
toiling to bear that instrument happily
through, against tile formidable logic Of
George Mason, and the deep-toned
awfuiiy prophetic eloqucnce OF Patrick
Henry. We can trace him, i'm the
House of Delegates of Virginia, bringing
to the field Of debate the resources of !
mind frightened and tempered BY fire.
quent collisions with those able men
who then adorned the bar of his native
Staie-thathe might effectually neutral
ize the voice of Nirginia-when raised
for the first time against federal usur.
patton. We can trace him on the
floor OF the House of Representatives o
the United States, displaying the fines
Qualities OF his mind, ON most inter
esting occasion, in a manner that excl
ted the admiration alike of friend ant
foe. We next trace him leaving his ma
tive land, in the honorable character o
Minister to the quondam court of Yer
sailles, and, in short time, returning
home with the feelings of man wht
deemed his country insulted I'm his per
son, and who suffered the double tortur,
Of \ patriot and man. We NAV ina
CINE the feelings which then agitatec
his bosom; no doubt he was somewha
detected, but still supported by con.
sciouS innocence, and upheld by tina
Just Confidence with which a mine
like his might well inspire its possessor
We pass over his brief residence il
the department for foreign affairs, ans
next contemplate his elevation to the
Office of Chief Justice Of the United
States. He has now attained the sphere
in which his peculiar genius seems Il
have predestined him to move. The
unquestioned leader of the federal part,
at a period Of extraordinary excitement
he is suddenly summoned from ,hs
strife. To preside in a sanctuary where
passion may range around and about
but dare not breathe within. Yet w,
think that human experience will iusti
fy US in hazarding the opinion that hi,
political sensibility was not entirely
passive even after his elevation TO the
judgement seat. lie saw .he hand tina
conferred the honor upon him immedi.
ately paralysed. and his political friends
IN short tune, either driven from the
public councils, or powehess under the
ban OF a triumphant majority. lie
stood almost alone, but unshom Of hi,
strength; and the judicial records o.
the country will long attest that the
party then in the full tide Of triumph
never met with deadlier foe. We
respect him for his consistency; anC
when the clouds were ihickesi atout
him, who would not have regarded hin
As an object infinitely more worthy o.
admiration. than if he had been array.
cd in all the sPlendoD Of successful
apostacy'
We feel iTresistibIy inclined 10 know
something Of the earlier years of such 1
man. We wish TO know whether hs
spent those years " the shades Of ths
academy, or unprotected braved ths
sun and the wind. II seems that HI,
opportunities Of qualifying himself fo
such q lfe a. he was destined 10 lead
were few and distant. Arriving Al tie
age Of manhood during the Revolution
and Immediately embarkingin the glo
nous contest, he doubtless found him
self IN a good school foF the acquisition
of the most useful % all knowledge-
. knowledge Of human nature. Will,
engaged IN the service, he was reouir
cd % act, on one occasion, a. iude,
advocate, and Il Is said that he display
ed such skill IN performing the defieai.
duty assigned him. a. 10 call forth m,
warmed predictions ofthe success tina
awaited ham Al the bar And lit ba,
been his foFtune 20 have been q genera