Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-07-25
John Van Buren, and chief Justice
fancy How Dean Richmond 'sFlOor-
cd" Horace Greeley.


fancy How Dean Richmond s Floor.
cd" Horace Greeley.
A pleasant chapter Of "Anec-
do.es of Public Men" in the July
number of the GaIary contains this
story about John Van Buren, and
Chief Justice fancy:
Nearly q quarter of century ago
the Legislature of New York enacted
a law imposing capitulation tax up.
on immigrants arriving from Europe
and landing at quarantine. A ques.
ton was raised in respect to the con-
stitutionality OF this law, and the
case was ultimately taken to the Sn-
prene Court Of the United States
Mr.. Seward made the argument on
one side, and John Van Burenion the
other. The trial attracted consider.
able interest, not 80 much from the
importance of the question involved
as from the reputation and political
positions Of the opposing counsel
Mr.. Seward was Senator In Con-
gress, and the great Wing leader Of
the State while Van Buren, was the
most brilliant orator and most popu.
lar man on the Democratic side
They were rivals At the bar, having
then recently been engaged 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 i'm
preston being that the Senator was
more of a statesman than lawyer,
but that Mr.. Van Buren, was one OF
the most entertaining, impressive and
effective advocates that had 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 impersonatien of ones idea Of the
genius Of jurisprudence. He was
shy, reserved in his manner, ascetic
in his habits, gloomy, forbidding
looking man, resembling monk Of
the middle ages; but under this cold
and repulsive exterior there beat
warm, sympathetic heart. He was
a literal man, with no idea of joke
was never satirlcal or ironical, and
detested pun or quip as much as
did DR.. johnson.
The day the argument was closed
Van Buren, contrived to fall in COM
pany with the Chief Justice in com.
ing down the avenue from the Cap
itol. John had degree OF GOODNESS
and selfpossession under all c,rcum.
stances that nothing ever disturbed.
With an airy, jaunty manner that
would have been offensive in any
body else, but which he made win
ming and attractive he addressed the
aged jnrist
II was much flattered, Mr.. Chief
Justice, at the gracious attention with
which you listened to my poor effort
in behalf of the suffering immigrants
at Quarantine"
Mr.. Tapey made fitting response,
and Van Dl,ren coolly proceed ed:
r. "Far be it from me to say anything
respecting the decision OF the
Court"
The Judge started with gesture
Of depreciation, as if he apprehended
an indlscretion on the part Of the
lawyer.
II am quite aware Of the apparent
in1elicacy of saying anything that
should look like an attempt to lnfiu-
encc the action of The Court"
Here the Chief Justice gave dis
satisfied shrug Of the shoulders, in
tended as a rebuke to what he re-
garded as an impertinence. But
John was wholly unmoved, and
went on with his remarks as though
he was saying the most natural and
appropriate things imaginable:
AMOR would l presume to intimate
that an early decision Of the case is
desirable"
The Judge opened his eyes in
amazement, but remained silent.
"But the truth IS, your Honor"
continued John, "the poor devils at
Quarantine are perishing daily, and
it is of tho utmost importance that
they should learn whether they are
dying const,tutionally."
Approaching Johns waggery at
last, the Chief Justice. much relieved,
gave way TO hearty laugh, and the
conversation came to an end.
DEAN RICHMOND AND HORACE GREELEY.
The same writer tells this anec-
dote:
Richmond was man Of quick per.
ception, happy in retort, with a SEN
tentious eplgramic mode OF saying
things, which gave them great force.
When Mr.. Lincoln passed through
the State on his way to Washington,
in the winter of 1861, Mr.. Richmond
provided a special train for him at
Buffalo, and accompanied tho party
to Albany. At Syracuse Mr.. Gree.
ley joined the company. Mr.. Lin.
coin, who had keen appreciation OF