The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-02-16
Reverdy johnson.

Maryland has produced many men emf
nent in craftsmanship, in literature in law
and in mechanics, but perhaps she has at.
tanned more distinction by reason OF the
advocates and urists she has produced
than from any other cause. William Writ
was Marylander and the reputation he
made as an advocate in the trial of Aaron
Burr redounded to the honor and
glory of his native state. Early in
the present century, William Pink
ney, Marylsnder, was attorney general Of
the United States, and digni6ed the
Office by his talent and ability. Contem-
poraneous with him was Luther Martin,
who was perhaps the ablest advocate the
state ever produced. Although addicted to
the excessive use Of ardent spirits, his SER
vices were ever in demand at the highest
rates. His clients used to adopt many ex-
pedients to keep him away from the intox
icating cup when their cases were about
ready for trial, but, with this drawback
upon his professional usefulness, he enjoyed
perhaps the most lucrative practice
of any member of the Maryland bar.
Coming after Martin we're a number
Maryland bar, high as it was. There was
Johnson, and McMahan, and Nelson, and
Lstrobe, but the most eminent of this illus
trious quartette was Reyerdy Johnson,
whose death we noticed yesterday.
The British parliament once impeached
Warren Hastings and afterward received
him with uncovered heads. The people of
n hr
at his home, breaking the glasses in
the windows of his house and tearing
up and destroying the ststusry in front
the door of his residence. To-day the city
is In mourning for her distinguished S on
and the populace now delight to do him
honor. The cause OF the outbreak against
him was the failure of a bank, of which he
was president and manager; the reason tor
the present gloom and sorrow is because his
life added glory to the city where he lived.
As lawyer he probably has not left an
equal In the country, although OConor
still lives to grace the bar of New
York. His fame will rest chiefly on what
he accomplished as lawyer, yet he was a
statesman of rare ability and spotless integ-
rity. When he was appointed minister to
England he was a member of the Senate OF
the United States, and when his appoint
ment was sent to the Senate 1t was approved
at once, and unanimously, without being
referred to committee as is the custom In
such cases. Although the treaty he nezo-
tiated with England was not confirmed
by the Senate Of the % United
States, yet his lsbors y there were
not without reward. While in England be
made many friends for bis government, and
laid the foundation for the treaty of Wash
ington which settled the difficalt and deli
cate questions between the British govern
| ment and our own.
Mr.. Johnson was not popular with thu
people of Maryland. He did not have the
magnetism which draws the populace to {
man, and the influence he exercised was OF
account OF his intellectual force, an(
not his personal qualities. During
his long life he held many places of homo
and profit but never but single office
that of state senstor-by the votes Of tn
people. All the other public positions b
filled were conferred upon him by appoint
ment, or by the votes Of those whom tn
;. people had chosen to represent them In til