New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-20
uR. MACK AND THE SUPREME
SnERT.

Mr., Polk signozcd the close Of his Presiden-
.ial career by the most disgraceful diplomatic
nomination of his term--a nomination which tho
too cOmplaiaant advisers Of his successor were
polite enough 10 accept and 20 indorse. Mr..
buchanan has attempted Il like achievement in
much more important department of the Govern
ment but is hardly destined, We opine, to like
sncces. The qualities which have recommended
Mr.. black 20 the highest place in the favor OF
the actual Executive Of the United States, are
scarcely likely 10 secure to him the cordial ad-
mirat on and support Of those Republican states
men upon whom il now, happily for the country,
depends to provide for Mr.. Bachannn's Attorney
General and Secretary .oi.awork the comfort
able retiring pension and goodseryicc sinecure
OF seat on the Supreme Bench. Were
the virtues Of Marshall united in
the person Of Mr.. Black with the
learning d a Story, Republicans might still be
pardoned for regarding with no slight Indignation
the indecorous haste Of the dying Administration
TO dispose of one of the most responsible posts
which an American Government can be- called
upon TO. ill, and to deprive Mr.. Lincoln Of the
credit which iudicous appointment Of this ma.
ture might reflect upon the opening Of his official
term. ii the interests Of public justice and Of the
national good name were at stake, the case would
be very different But the delay Of few weeks
in the selection Of hish judicial fInctiouary
destined TO hold his Office, when appointed, for
life, and making one of Court already numcr-
Gus and efficient, can affect no general interest
uniavorably, ard the eageTness with which the
name Of Mr.. Black has been pressed upon the
Senate reflects therefore, rather the devotion of
the President 10 his personal servant than any
last dying zeal or enthusiasm for the good Of the
State; aud this the more particularly, that in
all the extensive range Of his most unhappy re-
lectiois for Office, Mr.. Buchanan has never hit
upon single nomination more eminently unfit to
be made than this
The Office Of Justice Of the Supreme Court
Of the United States demands Of its incumbent
an extraordinary superiority to the petty quail
ties which commonly recommend political par
tisan for preferment to the chiefs Of bis party.
A Justice of the Supreme Court should be, as
nearly as may be, an incarnation OF the Apos-
tolc IDEAL "'First pure, then patient then
peecthDt, III VIII 10 MS uutJ W
all corruption, TO thwart oil intemperance in leg.
slation, to appease all manner of strife. Above
all, in the actual present and the near-impending
future Of our country, is it of the fret impor-
lance that no man should be called TO this lofty
position who does not carry with him 10 its du.
ties the most delicate and vigorous intellect,
the most calm and dignifed character Now,
the whole history Of Mr.. Blacks public lie is
most eloquent Of satres upon his proposed
appointment, and most ielcitously describes BY
contrast, all that Judge should be.
Summoned to the office Of AttorneyGeneral, it.
self implying for its due discharge positively
judicial qualities Of mind, since the law.officer OF
great Government is called upon less to win
causes for his client than to establish tho right
in all cases, Mr. Black began his career by de-
hberately reversing the action of his predecessor,
Mr.. Gushing, in the icase of the church-property
claims in California, aud subecting the simple
Roman Catholic populations of that State to
grave expense, to tho utmost. exacerbation o
| feeling aud a long exclusion. from their state'