The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-18

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Gated to the American public quite early il would
have been had an earlier response been voucbsafed
Sir, thus is perhaps not exactly the Augusan age of
American literature but il is assuredly the are of ofs
lefeTs-ihe age Of letter writing and ieer. receyin,
with vengeance, do not doubt that more letters are
now written in this country (and most OF them without
the least Necessity or proprey, private or publc than
written received Every man and woman, now .a-days,
that scrbbe distinct words paper and fold upnon
in the form OF epsue: feels ambitious Of gaining
noioreiy in this way Well since the profits OF the
Post Office Department enhanced by it. perhaps
ought not TO complain But yet, take altogether, con-
sider it. in social and political point OF view, great
and growing evil. The most serOus mischief connected
with this state OF thngs-though am bound to declare
from the propensity that certain oil our Judges have
recently displayed to set themselves forth magnales
OF the epstoary tribe There Judge OF the Supreme
Court OF the United Sta;es-a certain Justice Mclean
whose procvity for letter writing has displayed itself
several late occasions in offensive TO every in
tegent, public spirited and patriotic in the republic.
This parsonage toigeul OF the wise precautionary ar
Engagements provided by our veneraed ancestors in the
very framework OF that constitution which he is
suppoagainst the interference of Judges in political
conccrnsforge,fu or unpardonably regardless of the
noble example Of a Marshall. Story, and other H.
lustrious judicial unctonares in the earlier, and
fear better days of The republc oblvous Of the sig
nicant and imposing fact that the ancients caused
Justice TO be painted blind or rather with bandaged
10 ofciae in her sanctuary the high. the Indispensable
duty OF keeping their minds exempt, at all times, from
passion or Prejudice.from fear favor or aechon-fom
all undue sympathy for surrounding objects, and all
gard whatever to consequences personal to them selves
calculated TO bias their understandings, and TO delude
them into erroneous adjudication this udge-though
affecting peculiar elevation and purity of heart aud
character which he wond have believe has lifted
him far beyond the reach OF all those communicating in
huences to which other poor mortals ubect-thOugh
he complains loudly OF the gross degeneracy the and
generation in which he lives and pompousy announces
his opinion to be- that our people will never be happy,
and prosperous, and worthy OF true respect and admta
tionthat Institutions will never be WELL and wisely,
and successfully maintained and administered, until what
he is pleased to call moral influence can be brought to
bear upon this govenmentwho darcs to denounce the
selected candidates OF the great political parties OF the
country prizefghters The, even he, has, on
cognition as the indecent oHsnsve malignant, fac
tious unpatrioc, and contemplate OF all The letter.
writers whose multitude and hendlke qualities alike
Justify me in saying that their name is Legion" The
first epstIe general of this ernined scribe which I
shall notice, is the to which called the attention of
the Senate last summer, in which he took it upon him
self 10 lecture the two houses OF Congress upon their du
ties which he presumed, in the midst OF pending
war between his own country and foreign naon--(a
war eminenty Just and necessary in its inception; wise
ly vaanty, and goriously conducted and eventuang,
in spite OF domestic treachey never to be forgotten or
forgiven, in the complete vindcaion OF the national
honor, and in the acquisition OF territory valuable
attract in hands the admiration and envy OF all the
nations OF the earth)o urge upon Congress that no
more pecuniary supplies should be voted Tor the main
be forced, for want of the snews, of war, to with
draw our victorious armies from the enemy's
try in disgrace, without having achieved any Of the
objects whose attainment was necessary to our honor
andhappiness independent nation. The next let
ter OF this judicial parsonage which shall noice-and
the only one Which IN care about noticing
sin OF which a judge can be guy-in which be under
took to adadcete question before had been yet sub
mted to him for decision, and which he well knew
was more than likely. to be presented for decision
in the court where he sits with others for the discharge
of high judicial duties Sir this is most aggravated
and disgusting case of official misconduct without pre-.
ceden or parallel without excuse or paaton-an out
rage upon all the laws of judicial decencya disgrace TO
the ermine--a sin and shame before God and man.
the Of both " o
months This question had excited the whole coan-
OTIS to trembe with solicitule, and the enemies Of
institutions TO gladden. and exult their antici
paled overthrow This question had arayed opposite
sections of the Union against each oherfriend against
friend brother against brother Expedent after exped
ent had been tredmeasure upon had been pro-
posedwhch i was hoped might calm the popular mind.
The sky was still black over heads the red lightning
already flashing in our faces the wild waves Of
tepestuous ocean were raging around VS. and the ship
Of state seemed about TO be dashed TO- pieces amidst
the breakers with which she was vsibly almost in
contact At this awful moment Of alarm, Of peril, al
most Of despair wise men Ct all parties discarding sec
OF all things but their duty as PATRIOTS got together COM
muned with each other calmly, patiently perseverngly,
patrlOcally, and succeeded IN framing Inc compromise
bill of the last session. known generally in connection
with the name of the senator from Delaware, r CLAr
TON This bill proposed TO submit the question in dis
pute the Supreme Court of the United States for final
adjudication. 1t passed the Senate; it defeated IN
the House. But it yet before the country. 1t was
universally expected TO be brought forward anew at
other session of Congress. II hoped, that after
the presidential election over, it might yet become
law; and that under it, and in accordance with its
provisions this perous question might be settled Tn
der such circumstances it was. precisely, that Mr. JUS
ce Mclean thought proper to issue his letter. written
undeniably Tor publication in the newspapers in which
he declared his opinion in favor Of the North against the
Southn favor Of the section OF the Union where ne re-
himself wholly to sit hereafter Tor the adjudication OF
the matter in controversy, and as far as he could DO
So extngushng all hope of its adjustment such as had
been sagunely anticipated, by the Supreme Court of
the Union OF which court he is unfortunately OF
the Judges Now sir could easily recitc other offences
of similar kind which have been perpetrated by this
parsonage but il is unnecessary have shown, think,
even TO The satisfaction of the senator from Kentucky,
that OF the judges ofShe Supreme Court is unworthy
10 enjoy the frankng privilege think that the senator
from Kentucky himself will hardly deem wise TO afford
additional facilities to this particular Judge for the ssen
nation of his factious views. Even the senator from
Kentucky will scarcely contend that will be quite
safe and polite whet up anew this cdc0Ses scribend,
with which the learned parsonage in question is
unfortunately cursed, and thus, some extent also
make ourselves responsible for the mischefs which he
may hereafter engender. ,b ~ ~
will conclude by declaring my firm belief to be- that
the conduct of Justice Mclean, political letter
writer unworthy the bench discreditabIe the coun
try, and wholly indefensble; and l venture to predict
that one OF all the learned senators here convened
AZ Ill