The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1872-07-18
John VAN Ruren and Chief .Jsas-
tice TAneF. .@-

Nearly 4 quarter Oh ceH.tFy y tsse5b taS ASt'E
i>lature Of New York enacted q law impos-
ing capitxtion tax upon immigrants arriv.
ing from Europe and landing ut quarantine.
A question was raised III regard to the ;coh-
stitutionality Of this law, and the case was
ultimately taken TO tho Supreme Court os
the United Ttates. Mr. Seward made the ar
gument on one side, and John Van Buren, On
the other The trial attracted considerable
interest. net 30 much from the ilnportance.ef
the question involved a. from the reputation
and political position of the opposing coun-
sci. Mr.. Seward vas Senator in Congress
and the great Whig leader OF the State;
while Van Buren, WAS the most brilliant ora
tor and most popular man OH the Democratic
side. They were rivals at the bar, having
shen been recently engaged In the trial Of tbs
negro murderer Freeman. at Auburn, during
which there had been much sharp aiterca-
tion between them. The Wings In Congress
warmly sympathized with Seward, while the
Democrats were equally active and zaal0aa
in encouraging Van Buren. The argnments
were elaborate and able, the resulting im-
pres . being that the Senator was more OF.
4 statesman than i lawyer, but that Van
Buren was one oil the most entertaining, i'm
pressive, aud effective auyocates that had ever.
been heard in the court.
Judge Taney presided--one OF thepurest,
most learned, and able Judges that ever sas
On the bench. He was the inapersonation OF
ones idea Of the geaius of jurisprudence.
He was shy. reserved in manner, ascetic in
his habits. a gloomy, forbilding-lookinGm mans
resembling Monk of the Middle Ages; bus
under this cold and repuls:ve exterior there
beat a warm and sympathetic heart. He was
a literal man. with no idea Of 4 joke; was
never satirical or ironical. and dctested pnps
or quip "a much As DR.. johnson. ..s a5.si
The day the argument was closed Van
Buren contrived to tall in company with the
Chief Justice coming down the Avenue from,
the capitol John had \ degree Of eoatness
and self possession u; der all circumstances
that nothing ever disturbed. Will. an airy.
unity manner, tha: would hBve been ofien-
sive in anybody else, but which he made VIM
jurist:
II was much fiattered. Mr.. Chief Justice.
| At the gracious attention. with which yon
listened to my poor effort In behalf Of ths
| suffering immigrants NJ quarantine" Mr.
Taney male fitting response, andVan Bu-
rem coolly proceeded: 'sFar be it from me-
to say anything respecting the dscisIon OF
the COURT The Judge started with a ges-
ture Of depreciation, as if he apprehended aa
indiscretion onthe part of che lanyes. ri AM
quite aware Of the apparent indelicacy ofsay,.
ing anything that should look like an at
tempt to influence the action OF the COURT
Here the Chief Justice gave shrug Of the
shoulders, intended rs 4 rebuke Of what he
regarded as an impertinence. But John was
wholly unnoved, and went on with his re-,
marks as though he WAS saying the most nat
u1al and appropriate things imaginable.
Nor would presume to intimate that An
arly decision in this case is desirable" The
Judge opened his eyes in amazement, but re-
manned silent. ''Bnt the truth il, your Hon-
orr continued John, 1.-The poor devils ut
quarantine are perishing daily, and it is Of
the utmost Importance that they Should learn
whether they are diving constitutionally.' !.
Approaching Johns ,waggery at last, the
Cbiet Justice relieved, gave way to hearty
laugh. and the conversation came to an end.
John Van Buren, had in him the making
OF great lawyer and u statesman of CON-
manding power. He lacked nothing but in
dustry and steadineas of purpose. Quick Of
perception, with flne faculties, uncommon
logical powers, and abundant Imagination,
he never tailed to command the aamir,ng at
tention OF his auditors.--dnecdoses Of Public
Men, IN July Gaiaey.