The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-31

suit whatever Had he pracfi5cu the common arts and
winning ways which exalt politicians to power aud place
he might have risen 10 the highest Office which the peop
could confer for there was fertility In his intellect
nd variety in his knowledge, ecttude In his condua
and an eloquence in his conversation and drbale. thd
never failed TO win the admirstiop d applause u evan
body who behed him in the,disPlay OF his cQnnandnS
graces But he consulted popularity sas quele
OF advancement !; and avese. to the uses which CON
monty result from political authority. - is.
The desire was often evnced among the admirers Of 70
rensic talents TO witness trial of powers between Mar
shall and Tszewell Those able and eminent lawyer
went into the House Of Representatives about theyea
1sOO-tle one from the Richmond, the other from, III.
williamsburg district The former the older in re
nown as he was in years. Mr.. IaDwell was then vess
Young and either did not feel his powers or was TOO
modest TO display them. He was, however, eye,t the
as Jealous in the support Of the democratic as Marshall
was in the support Of the federal party In the great
struggle before the House for the presidential Office he
firmly opposed the efforts OF the federal members trans
fer to Aaron Burr votes which tho voters intended Mr.
Jefferson should receive That attempt to defeat the
public will lasted for many days and nights, and boldly
threatened tho existence of the government. An effort
so hostile to justice the constitution, and the wishes
of the people exposed for season, the advocates
American principles and institutions to be tainted and
derded by the awess supporters Of arbitrary power II
gave Mr. Tazcwel no very generous opinion Of politicians
and caused him. at the end Of his term, to retire to phi
vato life
During that evcnfu struggle for political power tn,
memorable case Of Jonathan Robbins was brought Nh.
notice of copgtess, and called 10Th tic talents and SET
vices Of party men The captain Of British man-ofws
called the Hcrmoinc into waters, and demand
ed surrender Of Robbins, then claimed as deserer
from the British ship. The demand created mingled dis
pleasure and surprise, and was referred 70 President
Adams who directed a surrender Of Robbins Robbins
was accordingly taken to the Hcrnoinc and, in the
presence of many spectators, was hung upon the yard
arm of the ship. Robbins asserted throughout that he
was citizen of the United States Whether the fact
SO or not the conduct Of the President strongly
dcnincd by the general voice Of the country And VII,
son O. Nicholas, Of Virginia Albert g. Gsatin, then
and Edward Livingston. then If New
York. framed and conducted congressional proceeding
against him. John Marshall, Of Virginia, and Jumcs
Bayard Of Delaware, wisely managed the defence The
able and successful effort Of Marshall TO protect the Pe
dent from public and authentic condemnation, aided by
his welltrci reputation lawyer procured for him the
Office of Chief Justice Of the United States After that
he quilted the BAR and confined his talents TO juis
labors He never met Mr. Taxewel Ia debate, ina
running casual comment, which arose Ia the Virginia
convention proposition TO change the tenure Of the
judicial Office
But in the Supreme Court over which Judge Marshall
presided he met juris and advocate who, in learning
and rhetoric had gaccd the Senate and the forum with
unrivaed lnstrc The famous cochineal care noted In
the books involved heavy sum Of money, as we'll as
leading principles Of public law. The opened
and argued by the able assistants Of the celebrated VIII
liam Pnckney. Tazewcl in reply, spoke with gravity
of thought lustre Of cloqucnce, and power Of argument
which settled the controversy in favor Of his client In
the preparation of the closing speech Mr. Pinckncy sunk
lost his reason and paid the debt Of nature But magma
nimity is the ornament of all true glory and Mr. Taa
well did not scruple to affirm that the brief which Mr.
Pinckney left behind him. and from which he would have
spoken, was of ITSELF mighty effort, and worthy the
great man who had graced and adorned the science Of ju
rsprudcnce.
In 1917 Mr.. Tazcwel represented the people Of Nor
folk In the general assembly of Virginia. whittier he was
urged to go to promote favorable measures Of pub
lie policy The speeches which he there made in the L.
gislatrrc of his native State on the subject Of finance
and the effect OF frequent conventions the welfare Of
States were among tho brightest emanations Of islucd
and extensive capacity. He lighted up the old hall Of
delegates with spcndor Of coqucncc and power Of
gment that rcscmbed its brightest light in its palmy
DAYS The aged who heard him reverted to the olden
time and thought that the macllcss strains Of Henry
had come back to entrance them.
Later in life he warmly invited to accept as he
did seat in the Senate Of the United States. but he
did not remain in that body longer than to serve his
country in special But while IN the Senate he
always appeared in the foremost rank and displayed the
genuine wisdom of statesman and the ready resources
of trained proficient in debate Er Jds Engad nlL anil
cior fueba CRATIC.
After that the Virginia assembly without his prviiy
or DESIRE placed him in the office Of governor There he
served for but again resigned his Office for the
shades of private life. Sundry Presidents rendered him
high Offices President Jackson offered him the mis-
sion to England but he did not acccptit He served his
uch-loved Commonwealth and ncighbors from sense
of duty and brothcry regard Beyond that local sphere
he never cared to move. He never valued the allure
n,cnts of Office and never inulcd fondness for power
Yet during life which has lasted long no has marked
the drama well Some of the actors have played poor
~ TINT he hardly condesccndcd to notice the performance
Others have etted their restless hours away and urged
more by palty vanity than solid sense haze fingered
upon the stage with supcrfnous regret Far better for
the repose Of such had they acted the caboys part,
brought their beters on, and ceercd each radiant star
which before them and eliminated above them
For himself he failed TO delight the SPECTATOR
and having filled the Of ell the famc be a.
desired. modcsty retired amidst the rlas,A s'u
of a crowded house. 5V. w sls5s NarlA-.
From the changing and actors before him our
venerable statesman is passing scenely away and now
looks only ut the space between the busting the
afro and the churchyard stone. Yet when we calmly
contemplate the character and conduct Of this eminent
exalted talents his useful services. bis ample
qualifications for the highest sphere in human life ana
his uniform practice Of the rarest selfdenia cannot