The true Democrat., 1856-02-05
run VHV -NON VT IOF9II9 'Ot0'I' I7VN The Great Gaines Case.

The decision by the Supreme Court of Lon isiana, rendered yesterday by Chef Justice Merrck, and concurred in by Justices Spofford and Voorhes is one of the momentous events that has occurred in our judicial history. The litigation, commenced and prosecuted with such extraordinary tenacity and energy, by the plain tiff, Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines, goes back more than twenty-five years. Kept in ignorance of her real position and rights during her child hood, and until, indeed, she had advanced some years into womanhood, she discovered shortly after her marriage with Mir. Whitney, her first husband, the mysterious circumstances of her birth and history. With the first glimpse of those facts, her whole nature and character changed. From life of domestic quiet and gentleness, this lady suddenly merged into one peculiarly trying to iemale-one, indeed, full of vexation, trouble and anxiety. Thoroughly imbued with the conviction of her being the lawful child and heir of the once ordly Daniel Clark, she entered upon the prosecution of her claims with an intense devotion, zeal and earn estness, which are without parallel Triumph ing over obstacles, endorsements and diff culties that would have appalled, the most be- roic masculine heart, her faith knew no falter- ing, and her courage and fortitude Shrunk from no sacrifices. The web which enveloped her fortunes she was determined to unravel; and with the perseverance of Arachne, she has steadily unwound its myriad threads. It was not the desire for money-for fortune - which prompted and sustained this remarkable devotion. That instinct of honor and pride of blood that all mankind feel, in reference to the circumstances Of their birth, their origin, their descent from the worthy and mertorious; these were the chief motives ln the bosom of this lady. She desired to vindcate the purity of her Orlgln-to establish her statks-to redeem the reputation Of those to whom she owed her existence. This object cheered the dark hours of her affilction and supported her under a terrible burthen of dlsappointments and rebuffs. The laws delays," so fatal to so many san- gulne hearts, crushing so many thousands of innocent victims, had no terrors for her soul Ant@us-llke, she arose from every dissappoint. ment with renewed hope, life and vigor.- Ihwarted ln one form of action, she revived her claims in another Driven from one court she found at least a temporary refuge in some other. With the faith-almost the supers ti- tlon-of the Alchymist, she throwed her for tunes her means, her vlgor, the very best years of her life, into this crucible, which she kept ever burning and simmerng before her. It was apprehended that life would exhaust itself. its usual limit passed, ere she should approach the solution of so intricate and extensive litiea- ton.
 The great event of yesterday has caused :" pause in this remarkable struggle These astonishing labors and sacrifices have at lasl reached their ultimaat,cm, and the long foiled petitioner and heroic suppliant for justice may clasp to her bosom the yindication, by the very highest authority, of the justice and rights ol her claim.
 The last will of Daniel Clark, charged to have been destroyed--the will of 1913 recog- nizing the legitimacy of Myra Clark Gaines, and creating her his universal legatoe. has been ordered by the court of Last Resort, in this State, to be admitted of probate and executed. The effect of this mandate will be to give Mrs. Galnes the very highest title to one of the largest estates in the United States-an estate of millions. The property involved in this litigation consists mostly of sugar plantations and some of the best city property. It is gen. eraiIy held by wealthy persons. The city ot New Orleans has sold with a full warranty a large portion of this property, and will be lia- ble therefor.
 Of the five Judges of the Supreme Court three concurred in the decision; Judge Bucha- nan excused himself, having once been en- gagged in some of the suits brought by Mrs Gaines, and Judge Lee sustained his own de- cision.