Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-24
EVENING STAR.
Tom Marshall's Last.

Y A very amusing and characteristic speech
was lately made by the brilliant and eccentric
Tom Marshall, in a trial before the Supreme
Court of Kentucky, which is quite too good to
be lost The case was an action of damages
brought against gentleman who had line
fish pond, upon which some of his neighhors'
boys were in the habit Of depredating, aud
who was provoked TO the point Of hOgsing one
of the marauders, whose parents sued for dam
ages, employing Tom Marshall 20 his advocate
He recovered $1,000; and the case being ap
pealed, John C.. Breckenridge, Vice President
elect, and aarret Davis, the great American
leader, were retained for the defence These
gentlemen, in the argument OF the case,
warned the Court az ainst the seduction Of the
eloquence and sophistry Of the distinguished
counsel on the other side. Maj. Breckenridge
and proper one, such as he had been subjected
to in his Juvenile days, when caught in any
mischief
Tom Marshall, in reply, said that both gen
tlemen had endeavored to magnify him into
very great man-Kentucky's greatest lawyer
and orator; and both, in their political
speeches. were in the habit Of expressing
great confidence in the sagacity and intelli-
genco of the people. Now, he wished them to
inform the Court how it was that, with such
great superiority of natural genius and ac
quirements, and with the additional advant-
age of years over at least one Of his adversa
ries. he remained plain Tom Marshall, ham,
mering miserable existence out of n few law
suits at the bar, while yOu," pointing to his
opponent, John G. Breckinridge, who were
but tow headed shaver, robbing birds NESTS
and playing marbles, when the whole broad
Commonwealth of Kentucky was ringing from
one end to the other with praises of the great
eloquence, vast learning and prodigiOus ahili-
ty Of Tom Marshall, are now Vice President
of the United States. and you, Garret Davis,
wanted to be, and almost persuaded some
very weak-minded people to make you, Presi-
dent of the United States!
Now" proceeded Tom, " our Vice Presi
dent says he used to be flogged in his boyish
days for just such tricks as my client son
was fogged for, and lie leaves Us to infer that,
so far from suffering any damage thereby, il
was one Of the causes of his progress and ad
vancement to LIS present high position. If my
client had only known this before, and if he
could be satisfied that his son was spanked on
the same spot that my distinguished friend
was, so far from bringing this suit, hs would
havo acknowledge bis profound gratitude to
the defendant fer thus placing his scion in the
line of safe precedents, and giving him so
strong 8 claim on the Vice Presidency. Doubt
less the political misfortunes and disasters cf
my other distinguished friend are attributable
to the fact that, as his spanking was neglected
in bOyLood, he has to make up for it, by TO
ceiying nothing but political spanks ever since
he reached manhood" "
These paIpable hits excited much laughter
among the lawyers and judges, in which the
two distinguished objects of Ton s rsillery
participated .-Clnctnnatt enquirer.