The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-14
JUDGE CLIFFORD.

In publishing to-day the appointment of Nathan
Clifford of Maine to be associate justice of the Su
preme Court of the United States we take pleasure
in copying from the Boston Post the following no.
tice of his nomination The favorable opinion of the
Post this appointment fully in accordance with the
universal tone concerning it of the democratic press
of New England While Judge Clifford by the gen
eral consent of those who know him best possesses
the two great qualities necessary to just discharge
Of the duties of his position of integrity and ca
pscity, he has, also, that other requisite which in
this day ought not lightly to be regarded of possess
ing sound constitutional opinions. His appointment
believe, will fully vindicate its wisdom by its re-
suits, and with the Post in predicting for
him complete success in his judicial career:
The ASSOCIATE JUsrcE THE SUPREME Counr or THE
UNITED SrArks-The announcement of the nomination to
the Senate by the President of Hon Nathan Clifford of
Maine be associate justice of the Supreme Court the
United States in place of Hon B. r. Curtis resigned
will be received think with general satisfaction not
only throughout this judicial circuit but throughout the
United States Mr. Clifford is fitted for the discharge of
the high trusts to which he has been called both by habit
of mind and experience in affairs He happily combines
the qualities Of lawyer, trained to aid in the adninstra
ton ojustice between individuals and those of states
man accustomed to in that higher domain of urs
prudence where especially considered and determined
the rights of nations and governments For the proper
and acceptable discharge Of the functions of Judge Of the
Supreme Court of the United States there is required
kind of qualification different from that demanded in
Judge of court of of the States The training to
which we refer be had only in the executive depart
ment of the government. There alone adequate
knowledge be obtained in relation to the practical work
ing of the executive system In all these respects Mr.
Clifford has had opportunities for observation and
professional attainment, which be has not failed to i'm
prove
Mr. Clifford is about fifty three years of age and being
firm health has thus not passed the period the full
maturity of his powers He born and reared in the
State of New Hampshire received there that excellent
early academic training peculiar to all New England
and after admission TO practice in all the courts Of that
State commenced professional business in the of
Newfeld in Maine He for long time attorney
general of that State After twelve and more years of
assduovs engagement in the duties of his profession his
talents diverted into the channel of politics by
election the candidate Of the democratic party to be
member of the Twcntysxth Congress where he signal
lied himself among other efforts by elaborate discus
sion of questions raised In the New Jersey case
In the Twenty Congress his speeches on the
tariff and distribution bill furnish high testimony Of the
soundness of his political principles and the character of
his mind.
In 1916 Mr. Clifford was appointed by President Polk
to be Attorney General Of the United States and the
fourth volume of the Opinions Of Attorneys General
tans ample proof of the in which he discharged
the very delicate and responsible duties Of law officer of
the federal government Subsequcntly--in the year
ls4s, we think-Mr c. appointed to be minister
penpotentiary of the United States to the
OF Mexico In all these several paths of public duty he
has been enabled to acquire by active experience affairs
that which will be of inccuabc valuc in the sphere
of responsibility to which he has been called by President
Buchanan Mr. Clifford has interchangeable industry, sound
Judgment, mind ready 10 analyze and arrange and
what Pliney says sis great part of Justice --unfsg
cling patience We predict for him complete success