New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-09-15

on the very ground Of his acknowledged preemin-
ence IN the attanments of elegant literature. The
same Gothic prejudice, we learn from contempt
rary memorials, boldly called in question the legal
abilities Of Lord Mansfield, and was humorousiy
satlrlzed at the time in some lines of Pope, IN
which the poet represents two heavy sergeants OF
the Temple, "who deemed each other oracles OF
law exulting, with grave self-complacency, II
the fanced profoundness Of their own legal at
talnments, while
Each shook his head at Murray wit
And yet this Murray rapidly rose through all the
gradatlons Of professional eminence, to the Chef
Justlceship of the Kings Bench, in which court
he presided, with unrlvaed lustTe and ability, Tor
thirty-two years, having been thrice offered also
the great seal of Lord Chancellor; and such was
the almost miraculous infalhity displayed by
him as Judge, that out of the numerous decis-
ions rendered by him during that long period OF
time but two or three of his judgements were
ever reversed, and about an equal number OF m
stances occurred IN which any of his brethren
differed in opinion from him. With such on IL
lustrous example before us, we shall be slow to
believe that the superior literary accomplishments
Of Mr. Legare were likely to prove hlndrance TO
him IN the path of Observation-Disclosures and sue
cess, or to prevent him from fulfilling his destiny,
In becoming one Of the chietest glorles OF the
American bar
As a Statesman, the merits and talents OF Mr..
Legarc were of the very first order. lie early
conceived the noble ambition of useluly serving
his country, not to crafty a selfish vanity or to
promote any private or personal end, but from a
true flial devotion to her glory, and from gen.
erous and magnanlmous desire to bear his part
in UNFOLDING the honor and success of her model
Institutions. His whole training was che OF ad-
mrabe preparation for his high career. There Is
no branch of knowledge proper to an American
Statesman in which he was not profound adept.
He had thoroughly studied the genius OF popular
government as we'll in its essential principles, as
in all its great historical examples. With what
sagacious and discriminating research ne e1-
plorcd the history and institutions of the master
States of antiquity, the Republics of Greece and
Rome, he has given to the world proud and en-
during evidence in writings which Will long sur
vive him, and which posterty, assuredly, will
not willingly let Diet He had traced and me-
ditated, with equal diligence and care, the pro-
gress of civil and political liberty among our
British ancestors and all those great social and
political revolutions, which have changed the lace
of modern Europe, were alike familiar to his
mind in their causes, incidents and results, and
with all the montory and instructive lessons with
which they are so richly fraught. With these
preparatory lights, he made our own peculiar,
happy and complicated system of popular and
tcdcrativc government, the sub cct OF his Profound
est study, and was as deeply imbued with its
spirit, as he was thoroughly initiated IN It's prn-
ciples, and familiarly convcrsant with It's con-
stitutional action. To these primary quallfica-
tons of all true American Craftsmanship, he add
cd that enlarged knowledge of the sound prlnci-
piles of political economy, and of the fundamental
laws of trade, currency, revenue and finance,
which arc indispensable guides to enlightened
practical legislation. With the public law of ma
tons, which regulates in peace and in war, the
mutual rights and duties of civilized and indie
pendent states, the diplomatic position he had
filed abroad with SO much honor to his country
and to himself no less than his early studies,
made him intimately acquainted; and to crown
all these civic accomplishments and advantages
he had enjoyed the precious opportunity OF obser
walton and experience amid the largest scenes of
human affairs, in foreign countries, as well as his
own.
When Mr. Legare, therefore, came into Con-
gress, he came clad in complete armor. The
speeches and reports made by him, with during the
brief period of his service there, show what full
ness of information and knowledge he came into
the discussion of every question in which he took
part-enrichng it with the widest amplitude Of
Observation-Disclosures it with the utmost maturity
of thought and wisdom-while adjoining it with
the craces of finished and captivating eloquencc.
But his career there was permitted to continue
two years only, leaving the nation to regret the
premature loss, from its legislative councils. OF
the rare and eminent abilities and craftsmanship
of which, in so short time, he gave such abun-
dant and unequivocal proofs.
The splendor of his genius accompanied him
in his ostracism, and Illuminated the obscurty of
his retreat He was soon called back, to take
prominent position in the Executive Government
of the country, for which he was pointed out sole
ly by the consideration of his superior fitness, for
he never sought Office, and his friends deemed too
highly of him to believe that any Office was capa
BILE of adding to the intrinsic dignity Of his talents
and worth. This new sphere of duty elected new
proofs of his varied powers and attainments, and
developed comprehensive faculties of public use
lulness, co-extensive with and equal to every de-
mand Of the public service. Besides the able and
distinguished discharge of his duties which more
particularly belonged to the post ne occupied,
which received the united testimony Of the most
enlightened Judges and of the general voice OF the
country, he brought to the aid of the government,
on every great question of national interest, fund
OF knowledge, a clearness of views, and PFomp-
titude of decision, which could not fail to be SEN
sibly felt and appreciated. When Unexpectedly
called to fill the leading Executive Department,
it is not unreasonable to suppose, and 1t is hoped
that the suggestion may be made without offence,
that none of the able and distinguished men who
have filled it, upon their first introduction to the
duties probably ever felt more at home among lis
high and imposng concerns, than did MIR. Legare
excepting always with the profound reverence
so especially their DUE those great minds OF rsro-
lutionary schooling which grew up along with the