The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-07-27
CuIEE IrsrIcE MARSHALL.

could repeat much of Shakespeare,
IeDryden,, Pope, Campbell. and other
standard poets.
He wrote a great deal Of poetry HIM
self, but even at this young age he dis
played that great sagacity which so dis
tinguished him. He never published
any of his poetry.
At the age of twenty he entered the
army, where he remained until 1871.
He figured in most Of the principal en-
gagements in the South.
While stationed at Philadelphia he
attended one course of law lectures.
During all this time be was very poor
When he was returned home an inn
keeper refused him admission to his
house becausehe did not look respect
able
Soon after returning home, in 1872,
he was elected to the Virginia Legisla-
ture, where he was returned as mem
Der until 1892
In I7SS he succeeded in securing the
adoption of the Federal Constitution,
which was violently opposed by Patrick
Henry. The majority in favor of adop-
ton was only ten. In 1877 he went to
Paris
In 1899 he was sent to Congress,
where his influence was almost bound
less. ..H L
In 1900 he was appointed and con-
frmed Secretary Of War He, how
ever, never entered upon the duties Of
his office, for before he could do so
there was vacancy in the office Of
Secretary of State, and he had the po-
sition rendered him. He did not hold
the office long, for in 1902 he was ap-
pointed first Chief Justice of the
United States. When this was ten
dered him by President Adams he posi-
lively refused it, and urged the claims
of other gentlemen whom he thought
more qualified. Finally, however, his
name was sent to the Senate, and he
was unanimously confirmed He knew
very little "book law" when he was
appointed. He had attended but one
course Of law lectures and had prac-
ticed but three years. This was the
great reason when he urged so strongly
the appointment of Others. 1t is said
of Marshall that he never held an
office that was not almost forced upon
him.
Soon after he was admitted to prac-
tice he married. He was still very
poor. He said he did pay the preacher
for marrying him, and that he had one
guinea left. OF course he had to work
very hard in his profession. 1t is prob
ably more to his early poverty than to
ANYTHING else that he owed those habits
of indomitable energy which were so
characteristic Of him. He was t0rty-siX
wears of age when he was appointed.
lie Immediately commenced to pursue
a systematic course OF the study of the
law. He never became familiar with
the books. In all the ranks of legal
literature thereare no books where there
is so little authority cited as those con-
tanning his decisions. When case was
argued, and it was for the judges to de
eide it, after thinking for some time, he
would write down his decision, and,
handing it to Judge Story, say There,
Story, that is the law of this case now
90 and find the authorities; and, pro-
badly, there was 70 one more able to do
this than Story.
Story once said: when | wish to
reach a point in the law ! have to grope
timidy from headland to headland, and
feel satisfied if | at last remotely reach
it" But Marshall, in an adventure
some and bold manner, puts right out
to sea, and without difficulty approach
es it. 4
One OF the earliest of the great cases
which have immortalized the name OF
Marshall is the case of Marbury Us.
Madison, ] Cranch, 49, In an able
opinion he laid down the true principles
which underle the foundation of our
Government. He draws a sharp line
between the powers of the different de-
partmentS. For this he had been
abundantly preparing himself in the
Virginia Legislature when the Consti,
tuition was before that body for adop'
ltion. "s&
| have spoken OF Marshall as an able
jurist. will now speak of him as a
man. He was remarkable AMI pecu.
liar in his old age, when l knew him.
He cared nothing for fashions. He
had never changed the cut of his dress.
His outside coat was peculiarly long
and in the skirts had two large pockets.
Frequently he could be seen walking up
PENNSYLVANIA avenue with a law book
in each pocket, or his pocket filled
with legal documents to'overtlowing.
His peculiar characteristic was the
carrying OF a long green umbrella
which was his constant companion, not
only when il was raining, but stuck un
der his arm when not a cloud was seen,
\ kinder man never lived He wa;
a model for the Judiciary of our coun
try He was perfectly courteous in his
manner, never speaking unkindly tc
any one. But still he was man with
whom no liberties could be taken. He
was peculiar even in his dignity. H
had one popularity which one could no
fail to observe; he would look long anc
intensely without winking. Before TIT
age of the two-hour rules it often hap
pened that some boring lawyer woulc
come before the court and speak TO
hours. When Marshall saw such I
one, that cold, gray eye woul'
, be fixed upon him, and ne woul'
t wilt beneath that gaze. He neve
.s,, tar1alv into oil