Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-04-18
If"W Ih' Z incinHatl t.Icitr. AprlI
Dfn'h of Judge nrLenn.

Hon John Mclean, one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of the United States, departed
this life at o'clock yesterday morning, at his
residence in Clifton, near this city, at the ripe
age of - years.
\ majestic form, long familiar to the people of
the Northwest, viii be seen among them no
more.
John Mclean was born in the State of New
Jersey, removed thence with his fathers fauily
to the Sta,e of kentucky, and thence to Ohio,
where he commenced his career, and has ever
since resided.
In one form or another of honorable official
station, he has been in public life almost from
the infancy of the State. As member of Con
gresS, Judge of the Supreme Court of the State
of Ohio, Commissioner Of the General Land
Office Postmaster General, Judge of the Supreme
Court of the United States he has filed ont tho
years of long, useful. and influential career
lie united to the attractions OF noble presence
and stature, the arts of an easy, dignified and
imposing address. His native force and balance
OF mind were proportionatc to his excellent
physical organization, and in all situations sus-
tanned him in the full and satisfactory perfor-
nance of great and arduous dutics-luties so
performed, stations so filled, a. TO something
more than meet public expectation--to attract
public admiration and CRAFTY it.
The period of public service performed by
Judge Mclean in the Congress of the United
States, was the period of our last war with Great
Britain; an eventful and trying period, when
Scott. Harrison, Taylor, Gaines, Perry,
AcDonough. Johnson, and others, lighted mp
somewhat the darkness of our national fortunes
by their heroic explo L; when CLAY, Calhoun.
Benton, Webster; and many other grand
characters, begun to lead in civil affairs JUDGE
Mclean was firm supporter of Mr.. Madison's
Administration. Most of those who commenced
their career about the same period. and who
have been much distinguished IN the public
service have departed before him. Scott and
Cass remain.
Judge Mclean was six wears on the Bench Of
the Supreme Court of Ohio; but those six wears
OF judicial labor have left few published MEM
orals. They ended before the published volumes
OF the Ohio Reports commenced Those early
years IN the forming stage of our legal history
were not less important, and the memory of the
bar impntes to them much of the character and
distinctness of his later judicial labors.
The services of Judge Mclean in the General
Land office, and as Postmaster General. were
also at a period when those Departments had
need of faithful endeavor and clear administrative
ability. 1t is well known that he left both with
enhanced popularity ani reputation.
Then compo,c.I Il i.n.r -
of the Supreme Court of the United States. now
fulfilled for more than thirty years with great
punctuaty and regularity. IL is this portion Of
his career in which he is best known - the
present generation. Comparatively feo survive
who Gan recolect the period when he entered
upon 1t. Those members of the bar then in fun
practice have become far less numerous by Iapsc
of years; and such of them a remain show roop
their polls unbidden the white flag Of waning
controversy.
There have been published of the decisions of
Judge Mclean. on the Seventh Judicial Cireait.
six volumes Of reports, known As McLean's Re
ports, il addition to his share of the labors OF
the Supreme Court at Washington.
We shall not here enter upon any criticism or
eulogs Of the productions OF Judge Mclean in
his character of jurist. Noluminous and ex
tcn-ive a they are, they are too well known 10
the legal profession to need particular remark
But however high an eminent these opinions
may be thought to stand, they constitute oals
part Of his merits Judge. Ills tact. dignity.
and his administrative ability. the strong will,
the broad apprehension of the justice of the
matter before him, ard the impressive decorum
Of his court room tribunal, OF which he ever
appeared the chief and gaide, will not soon pas
away from the minds Of those who behel1 him
there, in his place of strength and sovereignty.
From the time Of Judge McI.ean's appoint
ment to the supreme bench. he took no active
part in politics: but he va. frequently spoken Of
in connection with the presidency. to which of
fee he asp;red. Ia l-56 hi- na...c was before
The Republican Convention which nominated
Col. Fremont, and in l-Go he was a candidate
at Chicago: but whatever chances he might
have had before the latter body vcse dcstroy
ell 10y knowledge of the irhrm state Of his
health. consequent upon advanced asc. There
are many people Who believe that Judge Nc
|. can, had tie been nominated NJ Philalelphis
in le'e, would have been elected: and bad his
dissenting opinion in the celebrated DTcd scott
case been before the country - that time, y.
would undoubty have been chosen As standard.
bearer OF the party Which selected Col Fremont