Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-12-06
CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL'S EU.
LOGY UPON HIS WIFE.

ton, Mason County, IN tins State, was
invited, with several others, to dine with
the family of the Hon. Martin p. Mar
shall, resident of the village.
Mr. Marshall is one of the most gifted
and cultivated men of the State. He
was at one time somewhat prominent in
public affairs. He is now advanced in
years, however, and is living the life of
a retired private citizen.
He is nephew of the Hon. John
Marshall, deceased, formerly Chief JUS
tice of the United States, and was in the
earlier years of his life member of the
Chief Justices family.
In conversation in regard to his uncle
he spoke in terms of the warmest adj
mration of his character. Daily inter-
course with him had taught him to re-
we're and love him. He dwelt particu-
larly upon the simplicity and beauty OF
his private life. He was his model Of
what husband should be to the wife of
his bosom in respect to the love which
he should cherish for her, the tenderness
with which he should watch over her
and nurse her in failing health, and the
fondness with which he should think of
her when death had taken her from his
arms.
Rising in the midst of his remarks, our
host invited another gentleman and my
SELF who were listening to him, into his
private apartment and there opening a
drawer, he took out and read to us q pa
per written by the Chief Justice on the
first anniversary of his wife's death, in
memory of his love for her, and of the
excellences of her life and character.
asked him if the paper had ever been
published. He said that it had not; that
he had kept it sacred rs a private legacy,
and had never obtained his own consent
to let it be given to the public. l said
to him that thought that it ought to be
published, as | believed that it would be
read with interest and profit by all into
whose hands it would come. Just then
we were called to dinner.
Afterward the conversation in regard
to the paper was renewed, and before l
left the house Mr.. Marshall yielded his
consent to have it published, and handed
it to me for that purpose.
A copy of it is herewith inclosed, with
the belief that its publication will in
crease the respect which the people of
this country already feel for the memory
of its author, and at the same time en-
nance their appreciation of the domestic
virtues which were so beautifully and
admirably illustrated in the life of the
great Chief Justice. ID. S.
kentucky, August 20, 1881
"DECEMBER rs, 1882.
"This day of Joy and festivity to the
whole Christian world is to my sad heart
the anniversary of the keenest affliction
which humanity can sustain. While all
around is gladness, my mind dwells on
the silent tomb, and cherishes the re-
membrance of the beloved object it con-
tains.
"On the 25th of December it was the
will of Heaven to take to itself the COM
panion who had sweetened the choicest
part of my life, had rendered toll
pleasure, had partaken of all my feel
ings, and was enthroned i'm the inmost
recess of my heart.
"Ncver can | cease to feel the loss, and
to deplore it. Grief for her is too sacred
ever TO be profaned on this day, which
shall be during my existence devoted to
her memory.
son the Sd of January, 1888, / was
united by the hottest bonds to the woman
| adored From the hour of our union
to that of our separation | never ceased
to thank Heaven for this its best gift
Not a moment passed in which l did not
consider her as a blessing from which
the chief happiness of my life was de-
rived.
"This never-dying sentiment, origin
ating in love, was cherished by long
and close observation of rs amiable and
estimable qualities rs ever adorned the
female bosom.
"To person which in youth was very
attractive, to manners uncommOnly
pleasing, she added n fine understanding,
and the sweetest temper which can &C
company just and modest sense of
what was due to herself.
81 saw her first the week she attained
the age of fourteen, and was greatly
pleased with her.
''Girls then came into company much
earlier than at present. AS my attentions,
though without any avowed purpose,
nor so open and direct as to alarm, soon
became ardent and assduous, her heart
received an impression which could never
be effaced. Having felt no prior attach
ment, she became at sixteen most de-
voted wife. All my faults-and they
were too many-could never weaken this
sentiment. 1t formed part of her ex-
istence. Her judgment was so sound
and so safe that have often relied upon
it in situations of some perplexity.
do not remember ever to have regretted
the adoption of her opinion. I have
sometimes regretted its rejection.
''From native timidity she was opposed
to everything adventurous, yet few fe-
males possessed more real firmness.
"That timidity so influenced her man.
ners that l could rarely prevail on her
to display in company the talents knew
her to possess. They were reserved for
her husband and her select friends.
Though serious as well as gentle in her
department, she possessed q good deal
of chaste, delicate and playful wit, and
if she permitted herself to indulge this
talent, told her little story with grace,
and could mimic very successfully the
peculiarites of the person who was the
subject.
''She had fine taste for belle-lettre
reading, which was judlciously applied in
the selection of pieces she admired.
This quality, by improving her talents
for conversation, contributed not incon-
siderably to make her most desirable
and agreeable companion. 1t beguiled
many of those winter evenings during
which her protracted i'll health and her
feeble nervous system confined us en-
tirely to each other l can never cease
to look back on them with deep interest
and regret. Time has not diminished,
and will not diminish, this interest and
this regret.
'In all the relations of life she was
model which those TO whom it was given
cannot initiate too closely. AS the wife,
the mother, the mistress of family, and
the friend, her life furnished an example
to those who could observe intimately
which will NOT ha formation She falf