The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-11
The Late Hon. John C. Legrand, Chief
Justice sf the State OF Maryland.

The death OF the Hon. John Carroll Lee
grand, Chief Justice OF the State of Mary
land, has been announced. The death of
Judge L. gives great pain to the hume erous
sons Of Maryland now in Virginia in the
service Of their God and country, and a
death SO imp ortant to them aud the inter-
ests of their State deserves more than a
passing notice. We therefore take pleasure
in publishing the following sketch of the
distinguished deceased furnished us by a
correspondent
The Hon. John G. Legrand was born and
raised in the city Of Baltimore. Early in
life he displayed great natural ability, and
availing himself Of the limited resources be.
fore him he Immediately upon entering upon
the practice Of the law gained reputation
and 4 lucrative practice. Shortly after, he
was appointed Secretary Of State by Cover
nor Philip Frank. Thomas, and he immedi-
ately took prominent position in the Sta te
Councils. When twenty Ave years Of age
he was appointed one Of the Judges for the
Circuit Court for Baltimore city and coun ty
amidst the almost universal protest Of tn Q
people, cn acco unit Of his youth and inexpe-
rience. These complaints were soon silenced,
and on the bench, illuminated by the wis
dom of Purviance, Price, and other eminent
jurists, the young judge, by the clearness of
his decisions, by the dignity and elegance Of
his dem eanor, and the mingling of true justice
jurist over all his compeers and the pride
and homer Of his native city. Passing over
intervening years, wherein he successfully
declined nominations for high and respon-
sible public trusts, we find thatin 1851, when
the new Constitution of the State of Mary
land went into effect, he was unanimously
elected to the supreme judicial Office in the
State, which position he has since held, al
the eminent position of Solicitor to the Trea.
sury. and also a place in his Cabinet. His
de cisioEs are known and remarkable for their
clearness, throughout the continent, and are
reckoned among the first in sound reason
and logic and since his lofty administra.
ton the Maryland Reports have risen to a
dignity they never before attained. No less
remarkable was he for the fairness Of his
decisions. In the midst of the creates t
political excitement the honesty and i'm par
tiality of Judge Legrand was never in the
slig ghtest way impeached. The prying eyes
of political tricksters could ne'er descry q
particle to dim the Judicial ernine worn by
him, and even the loud voice OF party hate
noble integrity of soul and charac.
ter which peculiarly marked our friend
Upon the questions that atten ded the disso.
luton Of the old Union and the formation of
our proud and giant young Confederacy,
Judge Legrand was warm and earnest
friend of the South, and his adopted son is
now an oflcer IN onr army. His address to
the people of Maryland will ever be re Nom
bered by them. Had they listened to his
voice and prodted by his instruction, that
down. .trodden State would now be with us
in our Confederation, and the ashes of the
yenerated dead would rest more easily under
the sod of the State he loved aud served SO
well. Could the dust OF that soil partake
umns, like that raised by the Prophet Of
old, and sweep the enemies of his country
from OF the soil desecrated and defiled BY
their presence. w. H. u.