Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-07-26
The lac chlel InsLLre nancy.

Inc VinulcatlOh OF INC memory OF inc
illustrious dead from unjust aspersion is
one of the most grateful and sacred duties
devolved upon their surviving friends.
The name of Roger b. Taney has been
familiar for more than thirty years, not
only to the legal profession of the United
States, but wherever else English jnris-
prudence lis studied or respected. Those
who knew him best, admired and esteen-
ed him most. 1t has been but few months
since his death, at the advanced age of
eighty eight years. There is the most
abundant testimony, derivsble from every
source entitled to credit, and without dis
tinction Of political sentiments, that as a
man no was inoorruptibly pure, and as n
judge able, upright and just. 1t was there
fore with indignation that the Democrats
Of this community recently heard the
epithet of uenal applied to him, which i'm
plies the basest Of all crimes that can de-
grade judge. e F n .E Cl
The Journal sought to vary the proper
definition of the word, by applying it to
the conduct of Judge Taney in removing
the government deposites from the United
States Bank, whereby it is charged, he
corruptly bought his appointment as Chief
Justice--not directly of course with money.
but by the sacrifice of that which is far
more precious, his personal honor and con-
scientious convictions; for if Mr.. Taney,
at that time Secretary of the Treasury
agreed in opinion with President jackson
that the deposites should be removed, there
was of course not the slightest IMPROPERLY
in his making the order. The torn implies
that for the consideration Of the Chief
Justiceship, in the gift of the President,
be corruptly yielded himself as a tool to
subserve the purposes of General jackson.
Now, we suppose MIR. Clay, who was
a member of the Senate of the United
States at that time, and who assailed Sc
verely, not only the general policy of
Jackson's administration, but particularly
the appointment of Mr., Taney to the Chief
Justiceship, may be regarded as at least
an impartial witness for Judge Taney,
Hon. Reverdy johnson, in his address at
the meeting of the Baltimore Bar, called
upon the occasion Of Judge Taney's death,
relates an incident which he had from Mr..
Clay himself. Mr.. johnson said
"Mr. Clay was in the Senate during the time
that the Chief Justice was Secretary of the
Treasury, and with the erdor of temperament
that belonged to the character Of that patriot
and Statesman in referring to some of the Of
6cial conduct of the Secretary, he had spoken
of him with great bitterness, and when his
name was before the Senate as Judge he had
opposed his confirmation with the greatest
zeal But, though Mr.. Clay was decided in
all bis opinions and expressed them in the
strongest terms, he was generous and just and
never failed to repair any wrong he might
have committed, A close observer Of the ju-
dicial conduct OF the Chief Justice-several
times before him as counsel, and careful
reader of his opinions especially Of those on
constitutional questions, he became satisfied
that his apprshensions relative to his appoint
ment had not only not been realized, but on
the contrary that the Chisf justice had so ad-
ministered his high duties as to merit all
praise, and that it was due to him as well as
to himself that he should seek an opportunity
TO say so to him and to state his great salts
faction at the fact. For that purpose be OBJ
tanned an interview No one but the two was
present. Taking the Chief Justice by the hand,
he said to him, Il think give his own words)
Mr.. Chief Justice you know that in my place
| in the Senate before your nomination to the
office you now fill was submitted to that body
as well as during its consideration l said many
harsh things of you. At the time thought
they we're called for by my duty to the Senate
and to the country, and under like circum-
stances, with no other knowledge of you than
then possessed, I should pursue the same
course. But now know you better. have
carefully and anxiously watched your course
upon the Bench and have sometime since be-
come satisfied that had done you injustice
am now convinced that better appointment
could not have been made, and that the er
mine, go long worn and honored by Marshall
has fallen on a successor (what higher praise
conld | give you) every way his equal, and
have sought this interview so TO say to you.
"They we're both, Mr., Clay said 10 me, (and
we may we'll believe it) much affected. The
result was mutual confidence which con
tlnued with each as believe to the last
Such is the testimony of Hon. REVERDY
JOHNSON and also that Of Mr.. CLAY. slT
But further. At the meeting of the
Baltimore Bar at which, Mr.. johnson de-
livered his splendid eulogy upon the char