The Washington union., 1857-09-19
JUDGE CURTIS AND THE JUSTICES OF THE
a-s SUPREME COURT. .......... ..

SUPREME COURT. ........
Not satisfied to trust to the merits Of their cause
the black-republcan party seek to make capital out
of collateral matters, conjectures, and fctons.
Judge Curtis chose TO retire from the elevated posi-
ton of an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
In their eager pursuit for Office, black republicans do
not think ii possible that one in high position
would voluntarily retire from it, unless his situation
had been recklessy rendered uncomfortable by his
associates. Hence the journals OF that party have
assumed that Judge Curtis had been persecuted by
his brethren and driven from the bench, and this
without particle Of proof to sustain the assumption
aud without an ntmation of the justice of the charge
from the alleged victim. The whole story is a vile
fiction invented for political effect II judges of
courts prosecuted each other for differences Of opn
ion, no court could long exist. These differences
of everyday occurrence in all courts. We saw it
the other day in the New York court of appeals and
we have seen Judge Brown urging the reelection OF
Judge DEMO, with whom he strongly differed upon
the city police law and convention made his nomi
nation unanimous when considerable portion of il
differed from him in the opinion expressed upon this
one subject. U.s..
Those who imagine that Judge Curtis was unkindly
treated by his brother judges know little of the men
who compose that dignfed body, each of whom has,
on all occasions, manifested towards every member of
the court the highest respect Not jarring word
is ever heard in their consultation room, where The
gentle dignity of the venerable chiefustice, who
never known to say or do an unkind thing is initiated
by every one of his brethren. Although the chief JUS
ce and Judge Curtis strongly differed in opinion in
the Dred Scott case, the latter will tell those who
make the inquiry that heirrelaons to the last were
those of kindness and affection. His CORES.
pondcnce will show this to be true of many other
members of the Court If difference Of opinion leads
to such consequences as insisted by the black-repub-
lcan press, why is it that Judge Mclean is not also
affected by them, and compelled to resign? The fact
that he has neither noticed felt this pretended
persecution, but is content to continue on the bench
with his brethren dsproves the whole accusation in
which there is not one word of truth Judge Curts
left the bench because he believed his personal in
terests would be promoted by 80 doing, and he has
not and will not pretend to the contrary. We give
copy of his resignation in which he sets this mat
ter to rest under his own hand. The truth of HIS
own statement cannot be questioned
# .......... BosroS, Sept l, 1851
SIR hereby resign to you the office Of associate Jus
tce of the Supreme Court of the United States. which
resignation is to take effect the first day of October
next have named that day, because shall then have
discharged myself of all judicial business pending before
me- and suitor will be Inconvenience by my retire
ment.
My private duties inconsistent with longer
tinuance in the public service.
With great respect your obedicnt servant
B. II. CURTIS
JAMES BUCHANAN ESQ, s.u ... ..s.-
. President of the United States
We subjoin the letter of the Attorney General ac-
knowledging the receipt Of this resignation:
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFrIcs,
..... ....... s . September IA, 1857
SIR am directed by the President to inform you that
he received days ago your letter OF the first instant
resgnng your Office associate justice of the Supreme
Court and caused it to be filed in this Office. This morn
ing he received duplicate of the letter which he
has disposed of in the way.
The President gives you his thanks for posponng the
time of your retirement to period when sutor will
be Inconvenience by it.
am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
J. S. BLACK.
Hon. B. r. CURTIS