The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-31
NO. %.
Bust of John Rutledge.

N"N c'Io"inS ioPoIt HOu the SODmlttee on
the Library, 70 whom was referred the
resolution Of the Senate directing them
to inquire into the proprety of procuring
a bust OF the late Chief Justice John
hutledge, to be executed by an American
artist of merit and reputation, to be placed
in the room of the Supreme Court Of the
United States.
That Congress has thought fit to pu,-
chase busts of the Chief Justices as appro.
pirate ornaments of the Supreme Court
room and proper tributes Of respect to the
great men whose lives and services they
commemorate. Accordingly these memo
rias of Jay, Ellsworth, and Marshall now
adorn the hall Of that tribunal Of the
Chief Justices who have passed from life
John Rutiedge is the only one whose men,
ory has not been thus honored In 1895
Mr.. Rutledge was appointed by General
Washington to succeed Mr.. Jay, who had
resigned the Office. The new Chief Justice
presided at the session Of the Supreme Court
which WAS held in the month of August
succeeding his appointment. But two
causes were argued and adjudged at this
term, in one Of which the Chief Justice de.
livered the opinion of the Court. In the
other, the opinions Of all the judges, save
one were pronounced seriattm. At the
ensuing session of the Senate the appoint
ment of Mr. Rutledge was rejected by that
body, whether for political reasons or be-
cause of the approach Of that sad infrmi,y
which wrecked his fine intellect, does not
appear. This seems to be the only reason,
and the committee think it an insufficient
one, for declining to place the bust Of Mr..
leiC ga utt nf tha ar
who preceded or followed him in this place
of eminent responsibility and dignity.
Short though his term Of service was, he
was not the less Chief Justice of the highest
tribunal of judicature known to the Con-
stitution. And if his public and profession
al career be considered, we shall find SO
much 10 admire as TO be unwilling to re-
fuse that tribute which has been paid to all
Others who have occupied the distinguished
place which was assigned to him by the
Father Of his Country.
The circumstances attending his appoint
ment clearly prove the high estimate in
which his judicial abilities and great public
services were held by Washington, whose
severe Judgment OF public men as seldom
or never deceived. As revolutionary pa
triot and leader Mr.. Rutledge had no supe-
nor. AT the age Of twenty five he appear
ed as deputy from South Carolina in the
Congress called by Massachusetts after the
passage of the stamp act-South Carolina
being the first Southern province which re-.
! sponded 10 this call. In this Congress
commenced tie building of those principles
OF popular rights which were developed in
the Continental Congress of l774. At this
early period, Mr. Rulledge, already known
at home as an able lawyer and fine speak
er, acquired high reputation for parliamec-
tary eloquence and ability, which he main
tanned and increased when a member of
that memorable Congress which declared
| our separation from Great Britain. Here
he was the prompt. earnest, and able ad-
yocaie of colonial independence, in oratory
the rival of Patrick Henry-in boldness
and energy the peer of John Adams.
Returning home from Congress in the
spring of 1875, he became member of the
provincial Congress of South Carolina, aad
AS chairman Of a committee, raised for that
! purpose, reported plan for All independent
colonial government. OF this provisional
government he was appointed president,
and some years later, when the province
WAS oyerrun by the troops of Great Britain,
he was invested with dictatorial powers.
History has recorded how well, wisely, and
! prudently he exercised these powers; how
his activity and spirit had before contribat-
| ed to the successful and glorious defence Of
/ Fort Moultre; how gallanuy he bore him
/ self at the battle OF Eutaw; and how fully,
( in every respect, he justified the liberal coa-
tidence reposel in him by his fellew-ciii-
! zeps.
After the revolution, he Was appointed
judge in chancery in his native State,
which Office he filled for seven years, when
he became chief justice of the Supreme
Court of South Carolina.
While he Was one of the chancellors OF
South Carolina, he served in the convention
which formed the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States, and was very active and inhu-
ential member of that body. On the or
ganiza,ion of the federal government he
was appointed by General Washington,
and unanimously confirmed by the Senate,
one Of the associate justices of the Supreme
Court of the United States. The commit
tee have thought ii unnecessary TO do moro
than thus TO glance at the public services
which Mr.. Rutledge performed in various
departments of the government, State and
federal. They give him high place
among the founders of the republic; while
his judicial abilities and labcrs, and the
fact that he actually held out and exercised
The office of chief Justice, seem to dema nd
that he should not be omitted from the list
ofthose whose busts now adorn the Supreme
Court room; they therefore recommend the
passage Of the bill
---esssA---
NAMEIEss FIsH-A singular 6sb, the
name of which is not known, has just been
found at St. Mary, Lake Superior, in hol-
low log brought to saw naiIl. tits about
seven feet long, thirty-one inches in girt.
and like the gar in its tushes aud coat of
mail, but with other resemblances to the
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