The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-08

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a member of The Maryland Senate; in
1927, Attorney General of that State; in
1881. Secretary of the Treasury; in 1885,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court,
and in the same year he was nominated as
Chief Justice. In all these relations we
find him no less an ardent friend of his
country than man of rare ability Ex-
anime his opinions as Attorney General;
search the last twenty-five volumes of
cases decided in the Supreme Court; you
find him at all times giving the subject
before him the most patient investigation,
and treating it in a masterly manner; you
find HIM ever the same advocate of the
rights of the States, opposed to welding
the powers of the Federal Judiciary to
control or coercc State legislation, and al
ways unwilling to act where the power is
not clearly delegated by the Constitution.
And his ability is unquestioned. Wher-
ever judicial knowledge is esteemed and
cultivated, his opinions are cited with con-
fidence and respect. But beyond this, the
Supreme Court is the great balance wheel;
it wields mighty power in welding the
bands of the Union; and it would be diff
cult to name nobler, a warmer, more
sincere, an ADLER defender of that Union
than Roger B. Taney.
Of his private character "it is sufficient
here to say, what all who know Chief JUS
tice Taney, will regard as but simple
act of justice, that in the domestic rela-
tions, and in the private and social inter-
course of life, he is as much beloved as
he is respected in his public and judicial
character. A reputation beyond reproach
or the breath of calumny, purity of life
that no man can assail, frank, indepen-
dent manly uprightness of conduct which
knows no guile, are united with that be-
nignity of temper those generous sympa-
thes of the heart, and those solid house.
hold virtues which brighten the social cir
Gle, and gladden. the domestic hearth. In
his intercourse with others there is a
warmth of kindly feeling, united with an
unaffected simplicity of manner, that ire
sistibly wins upon all who approach him"
"We may point to Judge Taney as one
Of our best specimens of the American
lawyer and jurist. His whole life, from
earliest manhood, has been profession
al .....e. He came to the bench, deep
ly read, and profoundly learned lawyer
master of the principles, and thoroughly
skilled in the practice of the law. He
brought with him large requirements, and
the fruits of a ripe experience, and the re.
suit has been that he has sustained him.
self with ability and honor, as the head o.
the Federal Judiciary, and has proved
himself, in the words of Mr.. Clay, "s
worthy successor of Chief Justice Mar
shall. ."'-Van .Santcoord's Sketches, 532
Therefore, l enter my humble protest
against any insinuation derogatory to the
character of Roger B. Taney. He has
served the country too long and faithfully
to receive such treatment. After render
ing more than a half century's public ser
vice, and having so faithfully discharged
the duties of the high position of Chic
Justice of the United States for nearly
twenty years, he is, at the advanced age
of seventy-eight years, with all his knowl
edge and virtues, proper object of emu
lation and not of calumny. He stands c
living monument to the justice of the
Constitutional provision: "No religious
test shall ever be required as qualifica
tion to any Office or public trust"
SUNFIsH.