The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-06-18
John Van Buren, and Chief Justice
TRney.

Nearly quarter of century ago,
the Legislature Of New York enacted
q law imposing a capitatiou tax upon
immigrants arriving from Europe and
landing at Quarantine. A question
was afterward raised in respect to the
constltutionality OF this law, and the
case was ultimately taken to the Su-
preme 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 80 much from the import
ance Of the question involved as from
the reputation and political position 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 ora.
tor and most popular man on the Dem
ocratic side. They were rivals at the
bar, having then recently been engaged
in the trial OF the negro murderer Free
man, at Auburn, during, which there
had been much sharp alteration be-
tween 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
lawyer, but that Van Buren was one
OF the most entertaining, impressive,
and effective advocates that had ever
been heard in the court.
Judge Taney presided-one OF the
purest, most learned and able Judges
that ever sat on the bench. He was
the impersouation OF ones idea Of the
genius of jurisprudence. He was shy,
reserved in manner, ascetic in his hatlts,
a gloomy, forbidding-looking man, re-
sembling monk OF the middle ages;
but under this cold and repulsiye exte-
rior there beat a warm sympathetic
heart. He was literal man, with no
idea Of joke; was never satirical or
ironical, and detested pun or a quiP as
much as DR.. 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 a degree of GOODNESS and self pos
session under all circumstances, that
nothing ever disturbed. With an airy,
iaunty manner that would have been
offensive in anybody else, but which he
made winning and attractive, he adj
dressed the aged jurist:
81 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.. Taney made fitting
response, and Van Buren, coolly pro-
ceeded: Ear be it from me to say any
thing respecting the decision Of the
court" The Judge started with a
gesture of depreciation, as il he appre-
hended an indiscretion on the part Of
the lawyer. 81 am quite aware OF the
apparent indelicacy of saying anything
that should look like an attempt to
influence the action Of the court.
Here the Chief Justice gave a
dissatisfied shrug Of the shoul-
ders, intended as q rebuke OF
what he regarded as an impertnence.
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 amaze
ment, but remained silent. "But the
truth is, your Honor" continued John,
"the poor devils at Quarantine are per-
ishing daily, and it is of the utmost
Importance that they should learn
whether they are dying constitution
ally"
Approaching Johns waggery at last,
the Chief Justice, much relieved, gave
way to hearty laugh, and the conver-
sation came to an end.
John Van Buren, had in him the
making of great lawyer and states.
man of commanding power. He
lacked nothing but industry and steadi'
meas of purpose. Quick OF PERCEPTION,
with fine faculties, uncommon logical
powers, and abundant Imagination, he
never failed to command the admirrng
attention Of his auditory -"Aneciotes
Of PuJhc Men, IN July Gdlary.
Eop the third time Hon. Thomas A