Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-23
DAILY LEADER
Special correspondence OF the Cleveland LEADER.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Tne 1nstelIat.On Of ChlefJustIee ohnse
MAsH1NoroN, D. G, Dec. 10, '64.

/
of any kind IN honored private citizen
who has been called @Ohios fsvorite son,
was maze the supreme Judicial authority
of a great nation, for the period of his
natural life. Such occasions have been
rare in the history of this country. 1t is
said by statisticians that the profession OF
the law is favorable to longevity, and the
theory is certainly supported by the long
| lives Of our past Chief Justices. Marshall
sat upon the Supreme Bench for thirty-six
years and gained for himself an enduring
| fame. fancy followed him, and served
for twenty.oight years. Though the ad-
ministratien of the latter was not, in some
respects, a success, as seen in the clear light
Of present events, yet even his former op-
ponents, standing now beside his neW-made
grave, will doubtless give him credit for
honest patriotism and sincerity, as well as
for profound learning and intellectual
acumen. May the day be far distant when
that high and honorable seat shall again
be vacant.
1t was well known to the public at large
that Mr.. Chase would be installed on
Thursday, but when the usual hour for
opening the Supreme Court had arrived,
| the courtroom was crowded with a brill
liant assemblsge Of Senators, Representa-
| tives and members of the bar. The ocea-
sion was also graced by the presence Of q
| large number Of ladies, among whom were
the daughters of the Chief Justice elect,
Mrs. Senator Sprague and Miss Nettie
Chase. Charles Sumner stood in a conspic-
uous position, and seemed to witness the
proceedings with the greatest satisfaction.
Nesr him stood Geo. II. Pendleton, the re-
cent candidate for Vice President. Major
General Banks was also among the audi
ence. Gazing upon that array of states
manship, eloquence, intellect and beauty,
who could help feeling that, even in these
so-called degenerate days, America had not
'1ost the breed Of noble blood"
During the few moments of delay, let us
glance around this venerable chamber
Il is generally known that this was form
erly the Senate Chamber, and now the
memories Of the past come thronging back
and the presence Of departed greatness
seems to be here again. We can almost
catch the last echoes of these voices which
are now hushed in death, speaking in the
words of other days. Scenes which have
become historic in our annals, were enact
ed here. Here Webster illustrated the Con-
stitution and Olsy thundered for the tariff
Here Hayne insulted New England and her
statesmen crushed him with that noble
speech which has never been equalled
Here William Pinclney gavs utterance to
his gorgeous rhetoric, while statesmen
hung breathless upon his lips, and sighed
when he was done. This was the arena
of great political discussions and mental
bv his record Of thirty years. But few
alterations were necessary to fit the place
for the uses Of the Supr eme Court. The
old gallery was removed, and the proper
changes made in the furniture, but other
wise the present appearance of the hall is
that Of thirty years ago The antique
candelabra still hangs from the high cell
ing, glittering with its old-fashioned prisms,
and painfully suggestive, by its fcail sup
port, of impending casualty to the bald
headed limbs Of the law, below. On the
east side of the room is the bench, with
ten chairs for the judges. Aleng the op-
posite wall are ranged the busts Of the
past chief justices, watching with marble
sternness the deeds of their successors.
Behind the judge seats is beautiful col
lonade, or screen, of Tennessee marble, in
the rear of which passage leads to the
ante-rooms and library. The upholstery
is of red velvet
At g few minutes after eleven o'clock the
echoes of the past are sileneed, and the re-
alities of the pres mt recalled, by she voice
of an official, who announces "The Eupreme
/ Court" The members of the bar, and the
audience, rise from their seats as the digni-
taries slowly enter the room, dressed in
their black official robes. Wayne, the
venel able acting Chief, comes first, followed
Immediately by Mr.. Chase, who also wears
the gown. Arrived at their respective
places, the Judges remain standing while
/ Judge Wayne places the oath of Cfice, III
manuscript, in the hands of the Chief JUS
tice elect, who reads the same in an i'm
pressive manner, and in the following
words;
/, Salmon P. Chase, do soIemnly sloear
that a0iLL dispense equal justice to the
rich and to the poor, and that I l0iLL to the
best of nay ability, and in accordance NTH
the Consultation, faithfully discharge the
duties of the Office Of Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court Of the United States. So
HELP NE GOD.
AT the conclusion of the oath the Judges
take their seats, the new Chief in the CEN
ter. The reading Of the commission from
the President, by the clerk, completes the
Formally Of the installation, and the regu-
lar business of the court then begins. The
new magistrate appeared entirely at his
ease in his new position, and entered upon
its duties with the air OF one familiar with
the business. Speaking with reference tC
ezternals, there is no Judge on the Supreme
Bench who presents more graceful and
dignifed appearance than Mr.. Chase. Hi:
head and lace, as ia well known to all those
familiar with the currency, are remarkably
intellectual in their outlines, and his Of
fetal robe becomes him exceedingly.
Thus was the ex-Secretsry installed In
the most honorable position within The
reach of an American citizen. An acci
dent, or the circumstance Of availability
might have made him President, as They
have made other men; but his claims t
his present position rest upon grounds
more weighty and legitimate than these
He may well revert to his past career witt
honest pride. That career has been con
tinual progress from one degree of civi
! preferment to another, and is significant a.
an illustration of the certainty with which
in country like this, true merit anC
. genius ultimately find their appropriate
sphere. Mr.. Chase gained an enViabl
and worldwide reputation by his wise ad
y ministration of the affairs of the Treasury
Il and whether or not his fame as a fnsncie
shall be eclipsed by his fame as jurist, i
is certain that no man ever had bette
opportunity for building for himself al
enduring monument to perpetuate hi