The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-09-13

BY JAMns PARTON.

Dl JAMES EAIION.
If there is one thing upon which the
Tories Of Americaand Great Britain plume
themselves more than another, it is their
superior breeding, their finer sense Of
what Is due from one person to another in
trying circumstances. The public has
been frequently informed, that, when the
Federalists fell from power in 1901, the
sage Of politeness passed away The
late Mr.. Peter Farley Goodrich lamented 4
the decliue Of "the good old country Gus
tom" Of youngsters giving respectful salu-
tation to their elders in passing. 1t was
at this period, he tells us, that the well
executed bow subsidized, first, into yul-
gar nod, half ashamed and half impudent,
and then, like the pendulum Of a diving
clock, totally ceased" When jefferson
came in, he adds, rudeness and irreverencc
were deemed the true mode for Democrats;
a statement which he illustrates by one Of
his entertaining anecdotes. allow are
you, priestY" said a rough fellow to
clergyman. Show are you, Democrat r.
was the clegyman's retort s'How do YOU
know | am Democratg' asked the man.
"How do you know | am a priest p said
the clergyman. II know you to be priest
by your dress" II know you to be
Democrat by your address, said the par
son.
This anecdote, M,. Goodrich assures us,
in his humorous manner, is strictly histo-
rical' | am afraid it is. And fear
that much Of the superior breeding of the
gentlemen Of the old school, of which we
are so frequently reminded, was thing Of
bows and obseryances; which expressed
the homage claimed by rank, instead of
the respectful and friendly consideration
due from man to man.
In taking leave of power in 1901, the
"gentlemen's party revealed the innate
yulgarity Of the Tory soul. When / say
vulgarity, mean con,nloaness, the absence
of superiority, which is the precise signiii-
cation Of the word. Congress had acted
upon Hamiltons suggestion Of dividing
the country into judicial districts, with
permanent United States Court in each
but they preserved only the shadow Of his
perfect apparatus Of tyranny; twenty-four
district courts in all, with powers not ex-
cessive. But when the fangs of serpent
have been extracted, the creature in its
writhing impotence retains its power to
disgust. This increase Of the Judiciary
was believed TO be only device for pro-
yiding elevated and comfortable places for
Federalists, from the underground Of
which they could assail with more effect
the Republican administration. The meas
ure was not, in itself, lofty style Of poll
tics; but the manner in which the scheme
was carried out bears the unquestionable
stamp of-commonness
Mr.. Adams last day arrived. This
odious Judiciary law had been passed three
weeks before; but, owing to the delay Of
the Senate to act upon the nominations,
the judges were still uncommissioned.
The geDtlemen's party had not the decency
to leave SO much as one of these valuable
life-appointments to the incoming admin
istration; nor any other vacancy whatever,
Of which tidings reached the seat of gov
ernment in time. Nominations we're sent
to the Senate as late as nine O'Clock in
the evening Of the Sd Of March; and Judge
Marshall, the acting Secretary of State,
was in his Office at midnight, still signing
commissions for men through whom anoth-
er administration was to act But the
Secretary and his busy clerks, precisely
upon the stroke Of twelve, were startled BY
an apparition. 1t was the bodily presence
Of Mr.. Levi Lincoln of Massachusetts,,
whom the Presidentrelect had chosen for
the Office Of Attorney General. A con-
yersation ensued between these two gem
tlemen, which has been recently reported
for us by Mr.. Jeferson's greatgrand-
daughter:
Lincoln. / have been ordered by Mr..
Jefferson to take possession Of this Office
and its papers.
Marshall Why, Mr.. Jefferson has not
yet qualified.
Lincoln. Mr. Jefferson considers him
self in the light Of an executor, bound to
take charge Of the papers Of the govern
ment until he Is duly qualified.
Marshall talking out his scotch) But
it is not yet twelve o'clock
Lincoln (taiiag sCatch from his pocA;-
ct and shoioiag a. This is the Presidents
watch, and rules the hour.
Judge Marshall felt that Mr.. Lincoln
was master Of the situation; and, casting
rueful look upon the unsigned commits
sions spread upon the table, he left his
midnight visitor in possession. Relating
the scene in after years, when the Federal
lists had recovered portion of their good
humor he used to say, laughing, that he
had been allowed TO pick up nothing but
his hat.
While these events were transpiring,
Mr.. Adams was preparing for that precipi-
tate fight from the Capital which gave
the last humiliation to his party. He had
not the courtesy to stay in Washington for
a few hours, and give the eclat of his pre-
sence to the Inauguration of his successor
Tradition reports that he ordered his car
riage to be at the door Of the White House
at midnight, and we know that before the
dawn of the 4th Of March, he had left
Washington forever. Atlantic Monthly
y