Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-15
MURDER IN SAN FRANCISCO.

We have been deeply panied by the recent
news from California The murder of Gen.
Richardson, United States Marshal, has sad
dened the hearts of all to whom he was per.
sonally known. He was killed by an Italian
assassin in cold blood, on the l7th ultimo, al
San Francisco. We had the pleasure offs per-
sonal acquaintance with the deceased, and
saw much of him three years ago when he
was deli gate in the Baltimore convention, as
he was high-tonel gentleman in every sense
of the word; too just to tresspass upon the
rights or feelings OF others, he would not suffer
the slightest reflection upon his own honor
He was brave, gallant, and fearless man, who
stood ready at all times and at all hazards, to
vindicate the character of those whom he re-
cognized as friends. Many Californians are
now in this city, and all of them seem to feel
that they have lost brother. The death oil
no one in that State could have panied them
so much. He was the devoted personal as
well as the political friend Of Senator Weller
and we know no death outside of his own
family could have afflicted him SO deeply.
General Richardson was in the morning Of
life, scarcely SO years Of age. Happy in his
domestic relations, with wife and one child
warm and devoted friends around him, with
bright prospect before him, he has been sud
denly swept from the land of the living. AL
though he has passed from amongst us, and
the places which once knew him will know
him no more forever, still he will live In the
memories of those with whom he was associa-
ted, aud who knew him only to love him.
HEALTH OF CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY.
"Hon, R. B. fancy, who has been detained
from his position on the bench of the Supreme
Court in consequence of indisposition, was
much improved yesterday, and may possibly
be on duty in the course of the present week.
We take the above from the Baltimore Anne
rican of Thursday last, and avail ourselves OF
the occasion to express the wish that the
learned, able, and virtuous Chief Justice may
long be spared to adorn the eminent position
which he SO worthily holds.
The Supreme Court over which he presides
Is quiet, grave, huu TctHCu oooy. AsS Cn'i
nent members, withdrawn from the political
contests that prevail in our country, rarely ap
pear in public, or in print. They sit modestly
in their sequestered apartment in the great
Capitol, and the bulk of the people know little
if anything about them. Yet this court, SO
Withdrawn from the excitements and collisions
that occur in the active world is one of the three
Departments of the Government. Its deci
sions on those subjects which come within the
legitimate sphere of its powers are the law o.
the land. Few countries can boast of sc
learned, digni6ed, and incompatible ju
dicial body. Quiet, unaggressive and un
obtrusive as is this court, it is regarded with
almost a pious reverence. The time may come
when it will have to decide grave and grea
questions affecting the very existence of oul
institutions. Should that period ever arrive
few men can be found who would for a mo
ment doubt the wisdom and correctness Of thu
decisions that such body as the present Su
preme Court would pronounce.