Piney Woods planter and Amite union literary reflector. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1838-1838, 1838-08-11
Mente quatet solida. Il

Non yultus instantis tyranni
Mente quatet solida. Horace.
The late Chief Justice Of the United
States has descended to the tomb, and
left nation in tears. His lofty virtue,
fertile genius; and profound erudition,
combined with the most patient assiduity
and unsullied integrity, have embalmed
his memory in the hearts Of his coun-
trymen, and constituted him one of the
lights of the world.
His mantle fell on ROGER BRooKEI
TANEy, a fayorite son fof Maryland,
whose fame is identified with the history
of America. | design, in the ensuing
sketch. to delincate the professional
and public character of this amiable
and upright citizen, who unites to the
various requirements of a profound jur-
list all the urbenity of refined gentle
man.
Soon after the unsurpation of Crom-
we'll, in 1856, the paternal and mater
nal ancestors of Mr.. fancy were driv.
en- from their native land, because Of
their adherence to the Catholic church.
They sacrificed all the tenderest ties
which bound them to their birth place,
encountered the dangers OF the sea,
and hardships incident to every new
settlement in bowling wilderness, to
enjoy peace Of conscience, and the lib
erty of woshipping God after the faith
of their fathers. Well might these in
offensive people have said to the gloomy
tyrants, as their native island gradually
disappeared from their view,
"Mans inhumaiity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn ;"
They however submitted to their
fate without a murmer, and settled
themselves on the banks of the Pa
tuxet. On the accession ofCharles the
Second to the throne of his father, the
disabilities OF the Catholics were great
ly mitigated; and even during the brief
but turbulent reign OF his brother
James. they enjoyed comparative re-
pose, when they looked back to their
former sulferings under the dark and
gloomy usuppation of the Protector.
Hope once more dawned on the trou-
Fbled bosoms of the Catholics, but it
was soon changed into sorrow and an
guish ofspirit. For when William and
Mary assumed the reins Of government,
their former acknowledgements were re-
vived, and they were again enduring all
the penalties oflegialative prescription.
The ancestors of Mr.. fancy felt the
tyranny of the English. monarch even
in their secluded retreas in Calvert
county, where they titled the sold in
peace and charity with all men: they
seemed studiously to have retired from
the turmoils Of the world, and sought
happiness in their own humble dwell
ings. Such was their condition. until
the convention ofMaryland, in August,
I776, proclaimed to the word that the
bill Of rights and the constitution which
then came from their hands. should be
the sovereign rule Of faction to the once
enslaved, but now emancipated colo
nists. To the Catholics it was the bow
promise, betokening the cessation OF
the storm: tyrants no more trampled
down their rights: all civil disabilities
were abolished the spirit Of liberation
for the first time shed its heavenly in
huen, equally over all religious sects:
the heaviness Of sorrow gave place to
the smile Of joy, and happiness shed
her divine ray over all classes ofsocie-
ty.
The resultsof this new condition was,
that after the revolution, Mr.. Taney's
father was repeatedly elected to re-
present his native county in the House
OF Delegates.
His eldest son Roger, was born in
Calvert county, on the 18th March
TIT.
i In the spring ofl792. he became q
student at Dickinson college, Garlic
Pennsylvania, then under the superin
tendence of the Rev. DIR. Nesbitt {
Scoth Presbyterian drvine, celebratec
for his wit and extensive requirements
in classical literature, Here he. wa
graduated in 1895. ! have not been a
Bile to ascertain whether during hi
collegiate course, the first efforts of hi
intellect gIowed with the light Of tina
!, genius which was so strongly developer
/ in after years; or whether he then mani
; tested that ever-growing ambition il
! the acquisition Of knowledge, whicl