Middletown transcript., 1869-04-10
"REMINISCENCES
OF THE
GREAT MEN OF OTHER DAYS.
Written for the Middletorn Transcript
BY JOIN COLLINS McABE, D.D.

My materials in regard to the life and
character Of Chief Justice Marshall are so
copious, that find l must pass over many
consecutive incidents connected with his
continued promotions to posts of distin-
guished honor and trust, in order to draw
to the close of my sketch of that great and
good man.
Opposed to the adoption of the Consti-
tuition of the United States, as were many
of the leading minds in Virginia, specially
by that tower of strength, Patrick Henry,
yet Marshall, by his calm logic, following
upon the efforts of some of the most dis
was James Madison, caused the question
of its final adoption to be carried in the
convention by a majority of ten votes.
When urged by his friends not to risk his
popularity in the Legislature and in his
State, by advocating the treaty of Mr.. Jay,
his reply was characteristic of the man-
-" will not do anything to excite debate,
but if others do, l ,cW assert nay opinions
at erery hazard" On the return of Mr..
Munroc from France, the post of Minister
Plenipotentiary to that Court was declined
by Marshall, though subsequently he,
with Pinckney and Gerry, was sent by
President Adams, as one of the ENJOYS
Extraordinary to that country. On his
return to the United States in 1898, he
was greeted in New York with magnif-
cent ovation. An immense procession,
civic and military, swelled the mighty de-
monstration popular addresses were
made TO him, and a public dinner given
him by both Houses of Congress then in
session and all went to show that this
rising man already great, had won this
" evidence" as Congress said, "of affec-
tion for his person, and of their grateful
appreciation of the patriotic firmness with
which he sustained the dignity of his
country during his important mission :"
Retiring once more to private life, Wash
ington sent for him to visit him at Mount
Vernon, and begged him to run for Con-
gress from his, Mr.. Marshall's District.
Devoted to his chief, he consented. John
Adams rendered him, at that time, seat
upon the Bench of the Supreme Court of
the United States, but Marshall declined
this brilliant position and was returned by
his District as their representative. Three
weeks after, it fell to his lot to announce
from his place as representative from Vir-
ginia, tidings to the country which thrilled
it from its centre to its circumference with
the profoundest grief.
"Mr. Speaker" said Marshall, "the
melancholy event which was yesterday an
nounced with doubt, has been rendered too
certain OUR WASHINGTON is no more
The Hero, the Patriot, the Sage of Ameri-
ca, the Man on whom in times of danger
all hopes were placed, lives now only in
his own great actions, and in the hearts OF
an affectionate and afflicted people, 1T
was on that occasion, that, for the first
time, were uttered those words in reference
to Washington, which will live as long as
the language endures--" First in war, first
in peace, and first in the hearts of his
countrymen." General Henry Lee, (fa-
ther of the great leader of the Southern ar
my) had drawn up the resolutions in which
this sentence was embodied, but temporary
absence prevented his proposing them
Marshall, in his life of Washington, omits,
with characteristic Inodesty, his own share
in the proceedings, by saying member
proposed" &c..-From Congress, Mr..
Marshall passed to the Department of State
of the United States, having Intermediate
ly been made Secretary of War, the duties
Of which position he did not assume. In
1900, he was appointed by John Adams
Chief Justice Of the United States, al.
though, and it is remarkable to us at the
present day, he did not desire the Office,
j but had actuallg recommended another gen.
tlensae for the position. As there was nc
tenure-of-ofice act' in those blessed
and better times, the Senate Immediately
confirmed the nomination. In a splendid
oration on the death of Chief Justice Mar
J shall, by William Maxwell, Esq. then o