The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-07-08
.Lus1ice WaYnc.

James NJ Wayne of Georgia, senior Asso-
cate Justice of the Supreme Court, died at
Washington, on Friday, after a short illness.
He was born at Savannah in 1870. After re-
ceiving an excellent preliminary education IN
his native city, he was sent to Nassau il'ii
(now Princeton College) where he gradua.eo
IN the same class with several young men VINO
afterwards left their impress upon the history
of orr country, Upon his return nome ne
commanded the study of law in the Office of
his father. who was q man of considerable To-
cal celebrity. After completing his legal stud
les at the North, he again returned to Savan-
nah, and divided his time between law and
politics. After three or four years he was
elected a member of the General Assembly, as
an opponent of the "relief law" which had
created much feeling throughout the South.
He was afterwards mayor Of the city, and
Judge of the Superior Court of Georgia. The
latter position he occupied for five years and
by the efficiency and talent he displayed in
the discharge of his duties gained reputation
which afterwards secured for him position in
the Supreme tribunal of the land. His first
connection with national politics resulted
from his election to the Congress OF loz9-oo.
He lost none of his prestige in that body, out
distinguished himself as a DICTATOR and as
a practical business member on various COM
mittees. His ardent advocacy of General
Jackson's policy was rewarded by his appoint
ment to a seat on the bench of the Supreme
Court of the United States in 1885. He has
never in that position particularly distin-
guished himself as jurist except on ques-
tions of admiralty jurisprudence, upon which
branch of the law he has bestowed particular
attention.
The most important act of his public life was
his concurrence in Chief Justice Taney's opin-
ion in the bred Scott case. His concurrence
was expressed in very emphatic language
This decision is so odious to the American PEG.
pie that they will hardly cherish the memory
of the men who furnished the honor of our Ju-
dietary by giving it their support. Gifts auth
ors only two-Nelson of New York and Grier
of Pennsylvania-are now upon the BENCH
With the venerable Chief Justice whose views
they so eagerly seconded they have given place
to men whose sentiments are in accord with
the rty-loving spirit of the age.
Fortunately President johnson will not be
able to strengthen the conservative element O.
the Court by filling the vacancy occasioned by
the decease Of Justice Wayne. By recent
act of Congress no appointments are to be
made till the number of Justices is reduced te
six. When that time comes, there is reason
able ground to hope that all departments fthe
government will be in harmony on the ques
tions which thus far have often placed them il
opposition to each other. But if this may moi
be, it is at least desirable that the national Ju-
dietary shall be composed of men who will moi
again outrage the feelings of the civilized world
by giving utterance to sentiments which will
forever be used to illustrate the degradation
into which even courts Of justice may fall. The
experience of 1857 ought to teach the Ameri
can people that their dignity and honor are in g
large measure dependent upon the character
of the men who constitute the court of last APP
peal in the most important cases arising under
their constitution and laws. 4F-