The Republican journal., 1872-06-27

of the game was the recovery of all the
property of which they had robbed the
peddler. Richmond then, in the presence
of the gamblers, restored to the astonisheG
man his horse and wagon and entire stock
OF goods, having taken from him a solemn
promise never again to play cards fol
money or to gamble in any mode what
| ever.
Nearly aquarter of century afterwards
he was accosted in the streets of Syracuse
by a well-to-do looking stranger, who
represented himself to have been the tin
peddler who was extrcated from ruin
through the dexteritv, tirmness, and gen
erositv of young Richmond The great
tul man informed his astonshed listener
that the promise given at ''Sackett's'' haC
never been violated that he had beer
thrifty and constantly prosperous, anc
that he was then of ample means, anc
protfered any pecuniary aid that his bene
factor might be willing to accept.
Richmond was a man of quick percep
ton. happy in retort, with a sententious
epigrammatic 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 the
party to Albany. AT Syracuse Mr.. Greeley
Joined the company. Mr.. Lincoln, who
| had keen appreciation of original and
peculiar men. was much amused by the
occasional pleasant passages between
Richmond and Greeley
A new sleeping coach of elegant APP
pointments and high finish was placed at
the disposal Of the President elect. The
superb palace cars OF the present day had
not been invented, but this comfortable
coach with its elevated roof, spacious and
complete accommodations, and perfect
ventilation. was a great improvement
upon the close, low-rooted, cheaply fur
nShed, and dingv cars that were in gen
eral use at that time. Lincoln, Greeley,
and Richmond were seated in this hand
some coach chatting in free ami easy
manner. "fhis is something like, Dean, y
said Greeley, ''but why don't YOU have
all your cars made this way ?" The com
mon miserable old things are nothing but
a nuisance" eve adopt improvements
as thev are invented" was the reply,
|but the changes have to he gradual; we
cannot afford to throw aside substantial
o.,
and stock the road with those that are
more expensive, merely for the comfort OF
the passengers. Whenever we build new
ones, we incorporate all available i'm
prOvements."
ooh, that's no excuse" was Greeleys
reloinder. The people confer upon YOU
corporations special and extraordinary
privileges, and | tell you they will not be
content unless you give them the best ac-
commodations to he had. Why don't you
put on this kind Of car at once ?"
''Why don't we, sure enough Why
didn't you start Your internal old Tribune
with hthree hundred thousand subscribers ~
''1orace. think Richmond has rather
got you there" quietly remarked MI
Lincoln.
Nearly quarter of century ago, the
Legislature of New York enacted a law
imposing "A capitation tax upon immi-
grants arriving from Europe and landing
at Quarantine. A question was raised in
respect to the consitutionality of this law,
and the case was ultimately taken to the
supreme Court of the United States Mr.
Seward made the argument ON one side
and John Van Buren on the other. The
trial attracted considerable interest, not
so much from the Importance of the ques-
ton involved as from the reputation and
political position of the opposing counsel.
MIR. Seward was a Senator in Congress,
and the great Wing leader of the State !;
while Van Rrren was the most brilliant
orator and most popular man on the Dem
ocratlc 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 firmly sympa-
thized with Seward, while the Democrats
were equally active and Jealous in en-
coura9ing Van Ruren. The arguments
were elaborate and able. the resulting
impression being that the Senator was
more of 4 statesman than a lawyer, but
that Van Buren, was one of the most en-
tertaining, impressive, and effective al
vocates that had ever been heard in the
Court.
Judge Tanev presided one of the
purest, most learned, and able Judges that
ever sat on the bench He was the i'm
personation of ones idea of the genius of
jurisprudence. He was shy, reserved in
manner, ascetic in his habits, u gloomy,
torbidding-looking man, resembling u
monk of the middle ages but under this
cold and repulsive exterior there beat Il
warm sympathetic heart He was a literal
man, with no idea of a Joke; was never
satirical or ironcal, and detested pun
or u quip as much as Dr. Johnson
The day the argument was closed, Van
Bulen contrived to fall in company with
the Chief Justice in coming down the
avenue from the Capitol. John had a de-
gree of GOODNESS and lf-possession under
all circumstances, that nothing ever dis
turbed. With an airy, .iauntv manner,
that would have been offending in any
body else, but which he made winnin O
and attractive, he addressed the aged
.iurist
81 was much battered, Mr.. Chief Justice.
at the gracious attention with which YOU
listened to my poor effort in behalf OF the
suffering immigrants at Quarantine. -
Mr.. Taney made a fitting response. and
Van Buren cody proceeded: ''Far be it
from me to say anything respecting the
decision of the Court" The Judge started
with gesture of deprecation, Us if he APP
pretended an indiscretion on the part of
the lawyer Il am quite aware of the
apparent indelicacy Of saying anything
that would look like an attempt to iufu-
ence the action Of the Court" Here the
Chief Justice gave Il dissatisfied shrug Of
the shoulders, intended AS a rebnke OF
what he regarded as an impertinence.
But John was wholly unmoved, and went
on with his remarks, as though he was
saying the most natural and appropriate
thing imaginable. "Nor would 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 Quar-
antine are perishing daily, and it is OF the
utmost importance that they should learn
whether they are dying constitutionally ,
Approaching Johns waggery at last
the Chief Justice, much relieved. gave
way to Il hearty laugh, and the converse
| ton came to an end.
John Van Ruren had in him the making
of Il great lawyer and a statesman of com
manding power. He lacked nothing but
industry and steadiness of purpose. Quick
of perception, with fine faculties, uncom-
mon logical powers. and abundant i'm
agnation, he never failed to command