New-York daily tribune., 1856-08-02

The Chief Juitice of the Supreme Court Of the
United States is quite old man. and in the ordi-
nary cour,e of nature, not many years can eapse
before that important post will become vacant
Ambition is vigant and sharp sighted, and already
there are in the field lees than three candidates
for the succession. 1t is we'll known that our pres
ent distinguished Chief Justice-an old Federalist,
by the way, like Mr.. Bucbsnan-Obtained his ap-
pointment over The heads of all the judges on the
bench, among whom was jurist not less dstin-
guished than the late Mr.. Justice Story, by politi-
cal services, sessonsbly rendered. In the shape OF
legal opinion. Examples of this sort are seldom
lost upon the world. Indeed, they are apt to be
improved upon, as happened in this case. The sea-
sonable opinion which elevated Mr.. Taney to the
Chief Justiceshp, with the Treasury Department
for stepping stone, was merely the opinion of
lawyer-snd who should dispute the right
of lawyer to take pay for the opinions
that be gives, and his right, for an
adequate, fee to give an opinion suitable TO bis eli
tnts eIigencies The candidates for the SUCCESSOR
ship to Mr. TaDey, however, in the character of
tie political services which they have rendered,
and in the devotedness thereby exhibited to the
power from which they expect the appointment,
have shot miles ahead of Mr.. Taney's example.
Much az he wanted the Office, in his efforts to OBJ
tain it he kept, ss we have seen, within the limits
Of, ss all events, professional decorum. He did
uothing which men Of bis profession do not ordina.
rily consider themselves privileged in their profes'
tional character to do. Tn, competitors for the
fha hava ohf IN m.
bance the merits Of their services By setting all
professional as well as personal decoruu at def
aDce-svaling themselves Of the Judicial positions
which they already hold, to buy up political favor,
and the chance of promotion along with it.
The 6rst Of these three notorious Judicial CON-
pe,,ors for the favor of the party Of Slavery Ex-
tension and Border Rufianism, and promotion BY
means Of that power to the Chief Justiceship Of
the United States, is Judge Kane. We name him
as fret net that he stands first In merits or chance
Of success, which, as we shall presently show, is
very far from being the case, but because be was
the first to enter the field, and regardless Of law
AID of justice, Of common sense aid Of common de-
cency, to prostitute the authority Of bis Office
and face the prospect Of political infamy 10 an at
tempt to secure slave-driying favor by judicial
resstsblisbment, so far ut least ss his authority
might 60, Of Slavery in Pennsylvania. The spite
full outrage upon Pa,smOre Williamson, committed
in the course of this operation, by impison-
ing him for pretended contempt, was Of
character to be particularly grateful TO
msn whose daily life is devoted to enacting in
their own dwellings the parts, now of j.ilors and
now Of tornentors. Had the present occupant had
the complAisance to die at the mOmsnt-aLd hs did
Hutter the hearts Of several individuals by 81 Of
sickness reported 10 be daDgerous-Judge Kane,
in all probability, would have gained the day. But
Low that Chief Justice Lecompte and Judge Craw.
ford have appeared in the field, we consider Judge
Kane as counted out, and we mention him at all
only to show that we have not forgotten him; but
are now, a. we always shall be, ready to aid in
giving him bis actual dessrts
But the decision between the respective merits
Of the new competitors Chief Justice Lecompte
ard Judge Crawford, is not so easy. Such have
been the .ieLd services Of EACH that each 10 turn
seems to merit the very highest mark Of Border
Rufban gratitude 1t reqUiiei 10 ordinary itch
sf s-ds-i!y ir L-ccupte to lag dowa ths law