Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-12-22
Remarks of sIr. Rsverdy johnson.

Remarks of JIr. Reverdy johnson.
AT tie conclusion of his argument IN an
important case before the Supreme Court OF
the United States on Thursday last, the Hon.
Reverdy johnson spoke as follows in impress
sive reference to passing events and in just
tribute to the historical place which, in any
event, must be filled by the high tribunal
before which he was called to plead:
Nav it please your Honors. indulge me
with a word or two before conclude.
This may be the last time that this court
will sit in peaceful Judgment on constltu-
ton acknowledged and obeyed by all God,
in his providence, and for cur sins may, In
his inscrutable wisdom, suffer the folly and
wickedness of this generation to destroy the
fairest. uobIest fabric of constitutional free
dom ever erected by man. Its whole history.
from the first moment OF its operation even
to the present hour, bears evidence OF Its un-
rivaled excellence. Our country, our whole
country has, from the first, prospered under
it. and because Of ii. with rapldIty, and III
manner. before or since, unknown TO the ma
ton. That prosperity vindicates the wisdom
and patriotism of its good and great founders.
Is this prosperity now to cease? Is 1t now
to be dashed to the earth2 Are the hopes OF
civilized man. the world over, now to be
blasted? Are we to become the jest, Tue
scorn. the detestatiOn of the people OF the
earth? Is all memory and reverence Tor the
great dead, who living we admired and ador-
ed. to be now forgotten? Is ali gratitude for
the mighty. trying struggles OF our fathers
now to endl Are the warnings. the parting
warnings of the peerless man OF all this world
now to be disregarded and despised2 In the
country of Washington, consecrated by his
yaIor. wisdom, and virtue to freedom
and Deace. now to be converted into
wild scene of disorder, fraternal strife,
bIoodshed. war? May Heaven in its
mercy forbid May it stay the arm OF
the mailman, arrest it in mid-career before It
strikes the fatal, parricidal blow. May IL
give time for reason and patriotism TO re-
sumo their sway May it remove the delu-
siOns of the misguided, strengthen the efforts
of the patriotic, impart heavenly fire to the
eloduence of the faithful statesman; silence,
by the universal voice of the good and true
men of the nation, the utterings of treason
now tainting the air and shocking the ear of
patriotism, and the winnings of imbecility.
now discouraging and sickening the honest
public hearti May it, above all, rekindle
that fraternal love which bound US together
by ties stronger, infinitely stronger, than any
which mere government can create, during
the whole of our revolutionary struggle, aud
has since ebeered US on in our pathway to
the power and reDOwn which have made us,
until now, the wonder and admiration of the
world
But If all shall fail US aud ruin come; If
chaos. worse than chaos, is TO be our fate, the
spirits of those who have departed, and the
survivors who have administered justice in
this tribunal, in the general wreck and
wretchedness that viii ensue, will be lefi
this consultations: that their recorded Judg-
ments, now, thank God, the rich inheritance
of the world, and beyond the spoilers reach
will. till time shall be no more, testify TO the
spotIess integrity, the unsurpassed wisdom
the overnight patriotism OF the men VIC
from the first have served their country u
this temple, sacred to justice and duty, and
TO the mstchless wisdom of our fathers, WHO
beoueathed 1t and commended ii to the per
peiuaI reverence and support of their sons
and remain q never-dying dishOnOr and re
proaeh to the sons who shall have caused OIL
permitted its destruction