The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-06-17
roh, va, Buren, and Chicf Justice
- NEsS@F fancy.

~ fancy.
ru,,, a,,arter of century ago. the Ll--
1870 NJ New York enacted a law. 1mpc-
s@ eapitation tax npon Immigrants ilrf
s.;ns from Europe aud landing at Quarantine
VA" nS,estion was raised in respect to the con.
a,;trntionality,of this law, and the case was
Intimately taken to the Supreme Court OF the
Iinisad states. Mr.. Seward made, the arets'
men, OF, one side, and John Van Buren, on
fine other. The trial attracted consid eIabie III
ferest- not SO much from the importance OF the
question involved az from the reputation ana
political position of the opposing counsei. Ar
Seward was senator in Congress ana tpe
Great Whis, leader of the State; while van
Ruren was the most brilliant orator ano
most popular man on the, Democratic SIDE.
They were rivals at the bar, having tnen re-
Gently been engaged in the trial OF she negro
! murderer Freeman, at AuDuFn, durlns
which there had been much sbafp aiteIca'
ton between them. The Wings IN Consre's
warmly sympathized with Seward, While tne
Democrats were equally active ana Zelous
| in encouraging Van Buren,. Inc arguments
were elaborate and able, the resulting lli,
| preston being that the Senator was iiioie VI
| statesman than lawyer, but tnat van bu
rem was one Of the most ENTERTAINERS li,i,
! DrpSSlye, ana cNeCIlNC "e'oS".~~ - 4.
ever been heard in the court.
Judge fancy prcsided-ohe Oh t.s puits,
most learned. and able judges that cTer SIT
an the bench. He was the ilnpersonatlon 81
ones idea of the genius OF Jurisprudence.
| lie was sby, reserved in manner, ascetic I'D
his habits. gloomy, forbidding-loohshs
man resembling monk Of the Middle ages ;
h,,t under this cold and repulslvc exterior
there beat q warm, sympathetic ncaTt. ne
! was literal man, with no idea OF joke J
was never satirical or ironical, ana detesteo
:. nm or a uup as much as Dr.. Johnson.
rho day the argument was closed van
Rnren colitriycd to fall in company with the
Chief Justice in coming down the avenue
from the capitol. John had degree OF cool
ness and ,sefpossession under all tcirculn-
stances That nothing ever disturbed. With
an airy. iaunty manner that would nave
hren offensive in anybody else, but which he
made winning and attractive, ne addressed
the aged jurlSt:
al was much flattered. Mr.. Chief Justice,
n tho gracious attention with which you
listened to nv poor effort in behalf of the
suffering immigrants at quarantine" MIR.
fancy made q fitting response, and Van
Buren, coolly proceeded "Far be it from
me to say anything respecting the decision
of the court" The Judge started with a
gesture of depreciation, as if he apprehended
an indiscretiOn on the part Of the lawyer.
81 am quite aware of the apparent indeli-
cacy of saying anything that sho,'l1 look like
an attempt to influence the action of the
c;rt." Here the Chief Justice gave 4 dis
satisfied shrug of the shoulders, intended rs
a rebuke of what he regarded as an inlperti-
nence. 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 nm 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, I" the
poor devils atquarantine are pcrishing dniy,
and it is of the utmost Importance that they
should learn whether they are dying consti-
tutionally." ~. .*
Approaching Johns wagsery at last, the
Chief Justice, much relieved, gave way TO Il
hearty laugh, and the conversation came to
an end. 5.
John Van Buren, had in him the making
of great lawyer and statesman OF COM
mandiug power. He lacked nothing but
industry and steadiness Of purpose. Quick
of perception, with fine faculties, uncommon
logical powers, and abundant imagination,
he never failed to command the admirinS
attention Of his auditory.--'!4nscd0tcS Of
Public Men" in J,sfy Gatdry.