Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-07-05
ANECDOTES.
John Van Buren, and Chief Justice
Taney How Dean Richmond floor
cd" Horace Greeley.

A pleasant chapter of "Anecdotes
of Public Men, in the July number
of the Goloay contains this story
about John Van Buren, and Chief
Justice fancy:
Nearly a quarter of century
ago the Legislature Of New York
enacted a law imposing capitation
tax upon immigrants arriving from
Europe and landing at Quarantine.
A question was raised in respect to
the constitutionality of this law,
and the case was ultimately taken
to the Supreme Court Of the United
States. Mr.. Seward made the argu-
ment on one side, and John Van
Buren, on the other. The trial at
tracted considerable interest, not so
much from the Importance of the
question involved as from the repu-
tation and political positions Of the
opposing counsel. Mr.. Seward was
a Senator in Congress, and the
great Wing leader cf the Statc;-
while Van Buren, was the most bril-
liant orator and most popular man
on the Democratic side. They were
rivals at the bar, having then re-
Gently been engaged i'll the trial of
the negro murderer Freeman, at
Auburn, during which there had
been much sharp alteration be-
tween them, The Wings III Con-
gress warmly sympathized with
Seward, while the Democrats were
equally active and jealous in en-
couraging Van Buren. The argu-
ments were elaborate and able, the
resulting impression being that the
Senator was more of 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 fancy prcsidcd-one of
the purest, most learned and able
Judges that ever sat on the bench.
He was the impcrsonation of ones
idea Of the genius of jurisprudence.
He was shy, reserved in his man.
ner, ascetic in his habits, a gloomy,
forbidding-looking man, resembling
monk of the middle ages; but un-
der this cold and repulsive exterior
there beat warm, sympathetic
heart. He was literal man, with
no idea of a joke; was never satiri-
cal or ironical, and detested Il pun
or quip as much as did Dir. John
son.
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
Capitol. John had degree of
GOODNESS and sclfpossession under
all circumstances that nothing ever
disturbed. With an airy, jaunty
manner that would have been often:
sive in any body else, but which he
made winning and attractive he ad-
dressed the aged jurist:
81 was much fattercd, Mr.. Chief
Justice, at the gracious attention
with which you listened to my poor
effort in behalf Of the suffering I'M
migrants at Quarantine"
Mr.. Taney made fitting re-
sponse, and Van Buren, coolly pro-
cecdcd:
"Far be it. from me to say any
thing respecting the decision of the
Court"
The Judge started with a gesture
Of depreciation, as if he apprehend
ed an indiscretion on the part o.
the lawyer.
81 am quite aware of the appar
ent indclicacy Of saying anything
that should look like an attempt tt
influence the action of the Court.
Here the Chief Justice gave
dissatisfied shrug of the shoulders
intended as a rebuke to what he re
gardcd as an inpertincnce. Blu
John was wholly unmoved, an(
went on with his remarks, as though
he was saying the most naturra
and appropriate things imaginable:
| "Nor would presume to intimate
that an early decision of the case il
desirable"
The Judge opened his eyes il
amazement, but remained silent.
"But the truth is, your Honor,
continued John, "the poor devils a
Quarantine are perishing daily, AM
! it is ofthe utmost Importance tina
they should learn whether they ar
dying constitutionally."
Appreciating Johns waggery a
last, the Chief Justice, much reliey
ed, gave way to a hearty laugh
and the conversation came to q
end.