Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-04-11
Death Of Judge Mclean.

Death Of Judge Mclean.
From the Cincinnati Gazeitr, Of Frdayl
Hon. John Mclean, one the Judges of
the Supreme Court of the United States, de-
parted this life at eight clock yesterday
morning, at his residence in Clifton, near
this city, at the ripe age. Of seventy-seven
years. SAtA 80 f-'AFt
A majestic form, long familiar TO the
people Of the Northwest, will be seen among
them no more. .r.
John Mclean was born in the State of
New Jersey, removed thence with his fathers
family to the State of Kentucky, and thence
to Ohio, where he commenced his career, and
has ever since resided. 'rl 8iHHH.
In one form, or another of honorable
official station, he has been in public life al
most from the2infancy of the State. As
member of Congress, Judge of the Supreme
Court of the StHe Of Ohio, Commissioner of
the General Land Office, Postmaster Gener-
al, Judge of the Supreme Court of the
United States, he has filed out the years Of
long, useful, influential career. rij
lie united to the attractions of q noble
presence and stature the arts of an easy,
dignifed and imposing address. His native
force and balance of mind were proportionate
to his excellent physical organization, and in
oil situations, sustained him in the full and
satisfactory performance OF great and arduous
duties; duties so performed, stations so filed,
as to something more than meet public ex-
pectation-to attract public admiration and
crafty it. .ros [ .inrat.
The period 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,
McDonough, johnson, and others, lighted
up somewhat tho darkness Of our national
fortunes by their heroic exploits: when
Clay, Calhoun, Benton, Webster, and many
other grand characters, begun to lead in civil
affairs. Judge Mclean was firm supporter
of Mr.. Madisons Administration. Most of
same period, and who have been much dis
tinguished in the public service, have de-
parted before him. Scott and Cass remain
Judge Mclean was six years on the Bench
4 of the Supreme Court of Ohio but those
six years of judicial labor have left few pub
lished memorials. They ended before the
published volumes of the Ohio Reports COM
menced. Those early years in the forming
stages Of our legal history were not less inn
portant, and the memory of the Bar inn
putes to them much of the character and
distinctness of his later judicial labors.
Il The services of Judge Mclean in the Gen
eral Land Office, and as Postmaster General,
were also ut period when those Depart
ments had need of faithful endeavor and
clear administrative ability. 1t is well known
that he left both with enhanced popularity
and reputation. iliG6
Then commenced his long career as Judge
the Supreme Court of the United States,
now fulfilled for more than thirty years with
great punctuality and regularity. 1t is this
portion of his career in which he is best
!. known to the present generation. Compare
lively few survive who can recollect the
4 period when he entered upon it. Those
members Of the bar then in full practice have
become far less numerous by lapse of years
and such of them as remain, show upon their
polls unbidden the white flag of waning con-
troversy D M
N There have been published of the decisions
of Judge Mclean, on the Seventh Judicial
Il Circuit, six volumes of reports, known as
McLean's Reports, in addition to his share
Of the labors ofthe Supreme Court at Wash
} ington.
j We shall not here enter upon any criticism
|, or eulogy of the productions of Judge
j Mclean in his character ofjurist. Volumin-
Gus and extensive as they are, they are too
we'll known to the legal profession to need
particular remark. But however high and
eminent these opinions may be thought to
stand, they constitute only part of his merits
as Judge. His tact, dignity, suavity, and
his administrative ability, the strong will, the
broad apprehension Of the justice Of the
matter before him, and the impressive de-
corum Of his court room as a tribunal, Of
T which he ever appeared the chief and guide,
will not soon pass away from the minds Of
q those who beheld him there, in his place
/ Of strength and sovereignty.
| From the time of Judge McI4ean's APP
pointnent to the Supreme bench, he took
no active part in politics; but he was fire.
!, Presidency, to which Office he aspired. In
1856 his name was before the Republican
Convention which nominated Colonel Fre-
mont, and in 1850 he was candidate at
4 Chicago; but whatever chances he might
have had before the latter body were destroy
ed by knowledge Of the infirm state of his
health, consequent upon advanced age
j There are many people who believe that
Judge Mclean, had he been nominated at
n Philadelphia in 1855, would have been elect
ed; and had his dissenting opinion in the
celebrated bred Scott case been before the
n country at that time, he would undoubtedly
i have been chosen as the standard bearer Of
the party which selected COL Fremont AS
an Instance of the nnswerving integrity and
unbendiAg dignity Of the deceased, it is
i worthy Of note, that the opinion referred to
4 was matured and written out prior to the
meeting Of the Republican Convention in
1856, but the majority of the Court having
withheld the decision, ain, order not to affect
the election, Judge Mclean was not popular
with partisans; but whatever may be said
Of his want Of adoption TO the requirements
of modern politicians, his countrymen will
bear testimony that he was true patriot, an
able and inoorruptible Judge, and citizen
1 Of good repute. We annex the following
\ sketch Of the deceased from the new Ameri-
can Cyclopoediaam adj bon pe9og eii y
Molean, John, Ii. D., an American
\ judge and statesman, born in Morris county,
N. j., March II, 1888. -Four years after
ward, his father, . poor man with large
family, removed TO the West, settling first at
/ IMorgantown, Va, afterward near Nicholas
! vile, Ky, and finally in 1893 in what Is now
] Warren county, Ohio. Here he cleared
farm, upon which he resided till his death
40 years later. His son. at the age Of ls,
desiring TO study law, went 10 Cincinnati,
| where he maintained himsaf hv vrjfina II,