Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-06-23
JOHN VAN buren, AND CHIEF JUS.
TICE' TANEY.

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, the
Legislature of New York enacted a law
imposing a capitation tax upon immi-
grants arriving from Europe and land
ing at quarantine. A question was
raised in respect to the constitutionality
of this law, and the case was immedi-
ately taken to the Supreme Court of the
United States. Mr.. Seward made the
argument on n side, and John Van
Buren, on the other. The trial attracted
considerable interest, not so much from
the Importance of the question involved
as from the reputation and political po-
sltion OF the opposing counsel. Mr..
Seward was a Senator in Congress, and
the great Wing leader of the State;
while Van Buren, was the most brilliant
orator and most popular man on the
Democratic side. They We're rivals at
the bar, having then recently been en-
gagged in the trial of the negro murderer
Freeman, at Auburn, during which
there had been much sharp alteration
between them. The Wings in Congress
warmly sympathized with Seward,
while the Democrats were equally active
and jealous in encouraging Van Buren,.
The arguments were elaborate and able,
the resulting impression being that the
Senator was more of a statesman than a
lawyer, but that Van Buren, was one of
the most entertaining, impressive, and
effective advocates that Lad ever been
heard IN the court.
Judge fancy presided-One of the
purest, most learned and able judges
that ever sat on the bench. He was the
impersonation of ones ideas of the
genius of jurisprudence. He was shy,
reserved in manner, ascetic in his hab-
its, a gloomy, forbidding-looking man,
resembling a monk for the middle ages;
but under this cold and repulsive eX-
terror there beat a warm, sympathetic
heart. He was a literal man, with no
idea of a joke; was never satirical or
ironical, and detested a pun or a qUip as
much as DIR. johnson.
The day the argument was closed,
Van Buren, contrived to fall in company
with the Chief-Justice in coming down
the avenue from the Capitol. John had
degree of GOODNESS and self-possession
under all circumstances that nothing
ever disturbed. With an eiry, jaunty
manner, that would have been offensive
in anybody else, but which he made
winning and attractive, he addressed
the aged jurist:
AZ was much fiattered, Mr.. Chief-Jus-
tice, at the attention with which you
listened to my poor effort in behalf of
the suffering immigrants atquarantine.u
Mr.. fancy made a fitting res Onse, and
Van Buren, cOOlly proceeded: "Far be
it from me TO say anything respecting
the decision of the court" The Judge
with a gesture of depreciation, as
If he a~pprehended an indiscretion on the |
part Of the lawyer. az am quite aware
Of the apparent indelicacy of saying
anything that should look like an at
Tempt to influence the action of the
Here the Chief-Justice gave a
dissatisfied shTug of the shoulders, in
as a rebuke of what he regarded
an impertinence. But John was
unmoved, and went on with his
remarks as though he was saying the
most natural and appropriate thing i'm
lginable. "Nor would [ presume to in
that an early decision of the case
5 desirIble.n The Judge opened his
yes in amaZement, but remained silent.
But the truth is, your honor" contin-
led John, "the poor devils at quarantine
ire peTishing daily, and il is of the ut
most Importance that they should learn
whether they are dying constitution
Approaching Johns waggery at last,
he Chief Justice, much relieved, gave
way to a hearty laugh, and the CONVEX
alton came to an end.
John Van Buren, had in him the MAX
ng of a great lawyer and a statesman of
power. He lacked nothing
ut industry and steadiness of purpose.
QUICK of perception, with fine faculties,
ncommOn logical powers, and abund-
mt imagination, he never failed to COM
land the admiring attention of his !,
uditOry.-"AnecdOteS Of Public Men," !
July GALAXY. !