Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-06-18

constitution in times of profound internal peace,
the more arduous task was reserved for the Hu-
preme Court in Mr.. Chases time to preserve the
true meaning and intention of the National Con
Htitution, ,assailed by causes not contemplated by
its founders. and when that meaning and inten-
ton, from these causes were rendered doubtful
to strike the proper dividing line between q vo-
lation OF the letter Of the Law, or want or pos
tive and literal authority on the one side,
aud the denial of great people to preserve
it's existence as Nation on the other.
To the performance Of such work, MIR. Chase
brought mind peculiarly trained, by large ac-
quirements germane to the subject, an intimate
acquaintance with constitutional and internn-
tional law and long continued experience with
public affairs. He had comprehensive mind,
of rapid action, seizing principles with steady
grasp, and yet with nice discrimination.
Though politician and q strong party man Gas
were both fancy and Marshall immediately be-
fore their elevation to the Supreme Bench, } such
was his purity of character, and admitted love
for his country, that however men might doubt
the soundness of his legal Judgment, on the
great questions arising out OF the circumstances
OF the Rebellion, yet none dared to question
the purity of his motives or the honesty of his
intentions. He was a model of dignihed courte-
sy. While his manners III private life we're win
ming and cordial in the extreme no one at the
Bal on the Bench, could propose to himself
higher standard OF professional or official de-
pertinent. Without the long training and con-
secutiye years Of strictly legal study OF his two
great predecessors, and their consequent Iull-
ness OF knowledge and aptness in dealing with
purely legal questions, he still without doubt
an able and accomplished lawyer, and when the
case did not involve tho niceties OF technical
law but demanded rather vigorous grasp OF
principle, he evinced marked ability.
Some men are intellectually great, simply in
tellectually-Some men are 30 perfect in their
moral and religious development as to make
greatness for themselves outside of the more
sphere of intellect. MIR Chase belonged to that
class of public men whose naturally powerful
and vigorous intellect was permeated moulded
and controlled by moral sentiment devoted to
the rights and welfare Of the individual ma
wherever and under whatever condition found.
He illustrated in his own character the full
ness and completeness of an intellect
informed and stimulated by the highest moral
sense. Hia successor, whoever he may be, will
receive the judicial ermine spotless and un-
stained aa when it passed TO him, from the great
Judges who preceded him. Mr.. Chases public
life before he was elevated to the Bench, IS
known to the country-he presented q striking
figure on a broad field Of action-whether in
the Senate or in the Cabinet, he stood on level
with the greatest in the land. His reputation as
Statesman may be safely left to the verdict Of
History.
1t is peculiarly proper that. in this Circuit
Court, receiving it's law from that Supreme
Court over which he presided. as from an ever
flowing fountain OF justice, his salient points OF
character should be noted and his memory pre-
served. Let the resolutions offered be spread
upon the record Of tho Court.