Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-22
Chief-Justice Fuller.

The confirmation by more than two
thirds vote OF the nomination OF Mr.. Full
IyR TO be Chief Justice OF the United States
f. gratifying, though II IL discreditable to
the Senate that that body should have
"hung M" the nomination for so long
time. The confirmation was advocated by
the two Republican senators from Mr.. Full
IrR's own State, and voted for by the two
Republican senators from his native State
facts which must be grateful 10 the feelings
OF the new Chief Justice.
Mr.. FULLER preserved bis dignity OF cha
racter throughout The trying ordeal to which
be was subjected for months. Not only
were damaging charges made against him as
20 his course during the war between the
States, but he was accused OF acts as lawyer
which II the accusations had been true would
have forever shut against him the door OF
the Supreme Court OF the United States.
His department I'm this trying emergency
proved clearly thst he was man OF
judicial temperament, and had the
qualities OF great judge and possessed
what GEORGE WISE STYLED "the instincts OF
KeDtlfIlAN. llis l4iNANiN AAHNb AhNVA
% Mir. FULLER by letter that these latter
charges had been made against him. But
Mir. FULLER was not 10 be caught IN such
trap. He disdained even TO deny the truth
OF the charges. All that be did was
70 obth!n permission from Mr.. EDMuEDs
10 publish his Q2DMuSDs'9 letter. lie
thus notified his iellow-citlzens Of
Illinois Of the wrong that had been dOrc
him, and left II wholly with them to decide
whether bis reputation should be Yindlcsied
or not. The result IS manifest in the facts
we have stated; that is to say, bis
nomination was confirmed by more than
two.thirds vote, and was advocated by the
Republican senators from bis adopted State
and voted for by the Republican senators
from his native State, Me'srs. CULLoM and
FARwELL OF Illinois. and Messrs. FRYE add
HALE Of Maine. We repeat this statement,
aud add that we suspect Mr.. BLAINE spoke a
good word for Mr. FULLER.
Mr.. FULLER has. it IL to be hoped, long
career before HIM. He Is to be the JouN
MARSHALL Of bis day. MARSHALL received
notice Of his appointment to DO Chief JUS
tice whilst he was engaged in pressing the
claims Of another man TO the Office. MAR.
SHALL was appointed at iorty-fye years Of
age, and held the Office for thirty-five years.
FULLER received notice OF his appointment
20 be Chief Justice quite As unexpectedly.
lie, too, is Young man and may hold the
Office for thirty-fve years.
We repeat IT. Mr.. FULLER is to be the
JoHy MARSHALL OF his day. II Chiei.Justice
MARSHALL converted a coniederacy OF soye-
reign States into "An indissoluble union Of
indestructible States" Chiei-Justice FULLER
will be called upon TO take up the COnstitu'
tion as IL Is. and to make OF the amendments,
new and old. and Of the body of the CousIi-
tuition itself. consistent whole. The ballot
Is said TO execute a freeman's will
rs lightning does the will OF God; but
the Supreme Court Of the United States Is
more wonderful in its nature. Iii the most
powerful and irresistible tribunal in the
world. Nothing like 1t ever before existed.
Its paper DEGREES are more potent than
swords and bayonets and guns. II can az
ford to wait for the execution Of its iudg-
ments; because 1t is conscious that there is
no power on earth capable Of wtbstanding
its mandates.
MIR. FULLER Is the right man in the right
place. 1t does not seem to be mere happy
accident that such a man was appointed by
the President
"Thore Is a divinity that shapes our ends,
kough-heW thsm how We Will"