Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-03-04
The Insult to Chief Justice Tan
ey's Memory.

ey's Memory.
Roger 3. Taney is in his grave, pow.
erless 10 resent insult or to answer detrac'
ton. The Office Of protecting his ashes
from outrage decends to all just men who
rccpcct the memory of the illustrious dead.
An offended Providence may withhold
awhile from his calumniators the chastise-
ment that is due 10 their insolonce and
sacrilcgo but by the rule of earthly jus
tice that demands swift punishment for
crime, popular opinion should fix at once
the brand Of infamy upon those who have
publicly stated their wol6sh appettes upon
the moderpg tenant Of an honored tomb.
Where did this unhallowed assault of the
living upon the dead occur! Americans,
blush to know that it was in the Senate
Chamber of tho United States. Within
an assemblage that was once the pride and
boast of onr political system, that was
once supposed to represent the wisdom
and dignity Of our country, a scene has
been enacted that would have been dis
graceful at the orgies Of brothel bachanals.
A Senator, man Of letters, the rcpresen-
tatvc of sovereign State, might be ex-
pected while standing before the world as
legislator, 10 repress tho vindictivo pas
sons that impelcd him to disturb the
buried dust of a political opponent. Not
so. From the fierce hatreds Of fanaticism
the grave is not sanctuary. Not the
respect due TO his own position, not the
presence of his fellow Senators, not the
inevitable censuro of all Christondom.
before which the record Of all that days
shame will be paraded, not the rebuke
that comes from the silence of the ceme =
terry where his antagonist, disarmed by
death, sleeps unconscious of the indignity,
could restrain Charles Sumner from fling.
ing his partition venom upon consecrated
ground.
The occasion that called forth this out
burst of fanaticism was not of kind to
provoke even discussion. Mr.. Trumbull
asked leave to take up the bill to provide
marble bust OF the late Chief Justice Tan
ey. The passage of the bill involved no
political sentiment, nor was it even
special compliment to the departed jurist
Custom has accorded the same tribute &c
all who, having held the exalted position
OF Justice of the Supreme Court, have
passed from their sphere of earthly ac-
ton.
During more than quarter centuary
Chief Justice Taney fulfilled, with rar
ability, tho duties Of his high station; per-
haps the highest, most responsible, ant
most honorable that an American citicel
AN attain. AS man, his character wa
beyond reproach; as lawyer, his talent
were unquestionably Of the highest order
as an illustrious, patient and faithful
servant of the people, his official record il
not surp assed; as patriot, let the futur
\ decide between him and his traducers.- -
But 1T /, be assumed that he erred in hi
INTERPRETATION of the law. Is that a reaso
why he should be insulsed in his grave
Upon whose urn shall be inscribed tn
language Of affection or respect it infalli'
bili,y is the attribute that claims the offer
ingl
Right or wrong in his political sentI.
meet, Chief Justice Taney was pure
good man. He was high official, ant
his record is pai, of the history of ou
country. 1t is not to tho faults Of th
dead that we build monuments; but 10 thei
virtues. True manhood does not hesitat
to stand uncovered beside the grave, eve
of an enemy.