The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-03-29
Death Of Chief Justice Waite

Chief Justice waite died OF pneumobih
at bis home in Washington, Friday, after
short illness. He was appointed TO bis
Office by President GRAFT, his home being
10 Toledo, Ohio. At the time he WAS but
lite known outside OF his state and IN any
people wondered st his appointment to
the highest Judicial position 10 the gov
erIment. His confirmation was bitterly
opposed by the late Charles Sumner, pro
badly because he was Grants friend. The
event has demonstrated the wisdom OF
Grants choice and Judge Waite has prov
cd model Judge, in every respect. In
some important respects no better man
ever occupied the position. He was obso.
utely free from prejudice or bias in lis
tening TO case and rendering decision,
at least such is the universal testimony of
those who might have been supposed TO
have contrary opinion II there were any
excuse for it.
There Is considerable speculation IN re.
gard to his successor. Very likely he will
be Democrat 10 politics. He may be a
Southern man; il so it will most likely be
Carlisle or Bsysrd. The chances are
however, 10 favor OF q Northern man Nor.
rison Of Illinois and Phelps Of Vermont
are possibilities. Thurman OF OHIO would
make an admirable Judge, but he is not
10 favor with the present administration
Two or three more OF the justices OF the
Supreme Court are liable TO drop out. ell
Their by retirement or death within few
years. Should Cleveland be elected for a
second term it ia quite likely that before
1898 the majority Of the Supreme Court
be Democratic 10 politics, This would will
not work any injury provided the men ar-
pointed are Of the right stamp. II is a
fact that should not be lost sight OF that
great many men 10 the Southern states
believe that the amendments to the con-
s;itution adopted during the reconstrnc
ton were not legally adopted. Should a.
majority Of the Supreme Court be OF that
opinion it might cause great deal OF
trouble aud bring on another war. The
opinion Of that court AS rendered by Chief
] nstice fancy in the bred Scott case
brought on the war Of the rebellion. That
decision was made TO please The South
aud was so nantes ly unjust that 1t led
TO the formation OF the Republican perty
aBd the election OF Lincoln OF course
il defeated the very objects for which 1t
was intended, but we are told that history
repeats itself. aud II il not impossible thst
other decisions equally wreug might pro.
duce similar results. We are told thnt
slavery is everas,ingiy dead, very likely
this is true. but there are great many ques
tons settled ny The war, which nlder de
cisions OF tue Supreme Court might be re.
opened 10 trouble US. With the admins
tration Of the National government aud
majority Of the highest court in the land
both controlled by that party which is it.
self controlled by the people lately 10 re-
belion is state of things which we sin
cereIy hope may not exist, at least 10 the
present generation. 1t is possible that DO
harm would come Of 1t but we do no, be
lieye il wise to take the chances. We can
back TO 1856 when the Demo
cratic party which then ruled the nation
and the Supreme Court were absolutely nn.
der the control Of the South aud We know
what followed. That party is nov prsc
,ically ruled by the South. and the U. s
Senate and the Supreme Court are quite
evenly divided Is IL pot time 10 be on
our guard