New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-17
FROM WASHING TON.

From Oar Own Couespondept
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1855.
There is one small tyrant less, for Lecompte is
at last decaptated. Retributive justice has over
taken him while exercising the functions of per.
veIted power, and now that he has fallen to rise no
more, even the defenders of his wrongs will spun
the instrument of their cruel expressions. Such is
dcservedly the fate of the guilty though often too
long postponed. Flushed with brief authority aud
misled By transient success they venture upon ex-
cesses which provoke unforgiying retaliation. The
tide turns, fortune deserts, and they are left
stranded, remembered only to be scorned. The
vacancy has been rendered, by telegraph, under the
Presidents direction, to Mr.. Harrison, lawyer Of
character and distinction in Kentucky. 1t is to be
Said in bis favor that application was made with
his suggestion or kr owledge. When the President
determined, two weeks or more ago-as was then
stat ID in my cor'espondence-to make the removal,
be indicated that the vacancy would be filed from
Kentucky. And under these circumstances, Mr..
Harrison's name was then presented BY friends Of
the Administration, and without consent Some
doubt Of his acceptance is expressed, but tn, offer
has been made so sttering that ordinary objections
would be yielded to respond in be,oming spirit.
This gentleman was formerly associated with Mr..
Breckenridge Vice-President elect in the law
practice and received from Mr.. Clay an eminent
mark of respect and confidence by being named as
executor to his last will. So there is at least fair
prospect for some reprieve to the judicial atrocities
heretofore prachced in Kansas.
Mr. John Van Buren, must have taken the liberty
If drawing on his imagination for his fact, in assert
ing that Judge Mclean supported Mr.. Buchanan
in The late Presidential election. He did no such
thing and gave no authority for any such imputs-
tion upon his political integrity. His vote was
given for Col Fremont and for the great principle
of excluding Slavery from the Free Territories Of
the United States. And il is not improbable
Though am without direct authority for the state
Inent-ttat equal injustice was done to Gen Scott.
So Ear US Mr.. ChOate is concerned, Mr.. Van buren,
is welcome to all the aid and comfort which his
pyr0tecbnic performances can give in the way OF
sus tanning position felt already TO be anything but
comfortable Rufus and John should go together,
for BIT belongs to the fitness OF things. They have
changed front so often that neither now recognizes
bis former self Both now meekly ask where they
are to 90, and this patriotic inquiry viii be apt to
continue four years longer.
The announcement that the Missouri case, In
yolving the right of eolOred man-Dred Scott-tO
bis freedom, ard the Constit1tionity Of the Mis-
sour Compromise, attracted superior audience to
the Supreme Court this morning. Mr.. Blair opened
on behalf OF the claimant, and rst argued the tech
meal points, specified BY the Court at the last
term. when the reargument Was ordered. Passing
from them. he reviewed at length, and with much
force the question eff Jurisdiction, which is set up
10 exclude the real merits of this action upon the
ground that the colored man is not citizen in the
ecal sense and therefore has 10 appeal 10 the
present tribunal. He maintained that citizenship
Mss invested with certain legal rights, which we're
pot affected BY the absence Of various political
functions. For example, aliens became citizens by
but could not be elected to the Presi
dtncy. In many Of the States. religion, age, and
other qualifications were required tor Offices Of
honor or trust through which good citizens were
debsr,ed their enjoyment. Three "urths. at least