Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-07-17
JOHN VAN BUREN,S LITTLE JOKE.

Nearly quarter of century ago the Leg
islature of New York enacted law imposing
capitation tax on immigrants arriving from
Europe and landing at Quarantine. A ques.
tion was raised in respect to the constitution
ality of this law, and the case was subsequently
taken to the Supreme Court of the United
States. Mr.. Seward made the argument on one
sdc and John Van Buren on the other The
trial attracted considerable interest, not so
much from the Importance of the question in
vulved, as from the reputation and political
position of the opposing counsel. MIR. Seward
was Senator in Congress, and the great
Wing leader of the State; while Van Buren
was the most brilliant orator and most popu-
lar man on the Democratic side. They were
rivals at the bar, having then recently been
engaged in the trial of the murderer Freeman,
at Auburn, during which there had been
much sharp alteration between 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 statesman than lawyer, but
that Van Buren, was one of the most enter
tanning, impressive and effective advocates
that had ever been heard in the court.
Judge Taney presided He was the i'm
personaton of ones idea of the genius of jur-
isprudence. He was shy, reserved in his man.
ner ascetic in his habits, a gloomy, forbid
ding-looking man, resembling monk of the
middle ages but under this cold and repul-
sive exterior there beat warm, sympathetic
heart. He was literal man, with no idea of
joke; was never satirical or ironical, and
detested pun as much as DR.. johnson.
The day the argument was closed, Van Bu-
rem contrived to fall in company with the
Chief Justice, in coming down the avenue from
the capitol. John had degree of coolness
and selfpossession 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 addressed the aged
jurist:
Il was much fattered, Mr.. Chief Justice,
at the graceful attention with which you lis
tened to my poor efforts in behalf of the suf:
ferng immigrants at Quarantine Mr.. Ia
ney made fitting response, and Van Buren
coolly proceeded "Far be it from me to say
any thing respecting the decision of the Court." !"
The Judge started, with gesture of depreca'
ton, as if he apprehended an indiscretion on
the part Of the lawyer. 81 am quite aware Of
the apparent indelicacy of saying any thing
that should look like an attempt to influence
the action of the Court" Here the Chief
Justice gave dissatisfied shrug of the shoul-
ders, intended as rebuke to what he regarded
as an impertinence. But John was wholly
unmoved, and went on with his remarks as
though he was saying the most natural and
appropriate things imaginable. "Nor would
I presume to intimate that an early decision
of the case is desirable" The Judge opened
his eyes in amazement, 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 impor-
tancc that they should learn whether they are
dying constitutionally."
Approaching j ohn's waggery ct last, the
Chief Justice, much relieved, gave way to a
hearty laugh, and the conversation came to
an end