True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-02-11
Tom. Marshall's Last.

A very amusing and characteristics
speech was lately made by the eccentric
Tom Marshall, in trial before the Su-
preme Court Of Kentucky, which is quite
loo good to be lost, The case was an
action Of damage brought againsta gen.
tleman who had fish pond upon which
some of his neighboTs boys were in the
habit of depredaling, and was provoked
10 the point Of aoggi1g one of the marau-
ders whose parents sued for damages,
employing Tom Marshall rs his advocate.
He recovered $4,000; andthe case being
appenIed John G. Breckenridge, Vice
President elect, and Garrett Davis, the
great American leader, were retained for
Ihe defence, These gentlemen in the
argument of the case, warned the Court
against the seduction, Of the eloquence
and sophistry Of the distinguished council
on the other side, Major Breckenridge
commended that the correction was whole.
some and proper one, such as he had
been subjected to in his juvenile days,
when caught in any mischief.
Tom. Marshall in reply, said that both
gentlemen had endeaVored to magnify
him into very great man -Keniucky's
greatest lawyer and orator; and both, in
their political speeches, were in the habit
of expressing great confidence in the sa-
gacity and Intelligence Of the people. -
Now, he wished them to inform the
Court how it was Ahat with such great su-
.prriosity Of natural genius and acquire
ments, and win The additional advantage
Of years over al least one of his adversa-
ries, he remained plain Tom Marshall,
harpmerimg miserable existance out Of
a few law suits at the bar while YOU
pointing to his opponent John G. Breck-
enridge, who we're but low.headed
shaver, robbing birds nests and playing
marbles, when the whole broad Common
wealth Of Kentucky was ringing from one
end to the other with praises of the great
eloquence, vast learning and prodigigions
ability of Tom Marshall, are now Vice
President of the United States !? and you
Garret Davis, wanted to<be and almost
persuaded some very weakminded peo-
pie TO make you, Presidens Of the United
States! e4.. ..r a'
Now proceeded Tom. 'Our Vice
President says he used to be fogged in
his boyish days for just such tricks as
my clients son was fogged for, and he
leaves us to infer that 80 far from suffer-
ing any damage thereby, it was one Of
the causes of his progress aud advance
mentto his present high position. If my
client had only known this before, and if
he could be satisfied that his son was
spanked ON tbs same spot that my distir-
guished friend was, SO far from bringing
this suit;sise wolld have acknowledged
his profound gratitude 10 the defendant
for thus placing his scion in the line Of
safe preceedents, and giving him SO strong
a,claim on lhe Vice Presidency. Doubt
less the political lnisfortunes and disasters
oGimy other distinguished friend are al
tributable to the fact that as.his spanking
was neglected in bdyhoodb he has to
make up for il, by receiving nothing but
political spanks ever. since he reached man
hood. .s ipGgus3 GaR .g'8Jll
These palPable hits excited much
laughter among the lawyers and judges
inawbieh the Two distinguished objects ol
Toms railery participated.--Ci", En-
quirer. l.l ..