Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-04-05
OUR HonoRrD DEAD.

4
congress of the United States opened
his address in these words: "The
mingled tones Of sorrow, like the voices
Of many waters, come into MS from a
sister state Massachusetts,, weeping for
her honored son. When a great public
man dies the patton has cause to mourn.
In this we mean truly great man.
Not the cphemeral and imaginary great
ness Of public distinction-in the pan
tomine di play, so common to the drama
Of modern politics, but the greatness
which emanates from the motives OF a
pure and honest soul; greatness which
belongs to real ability and nobility of
| character greatness, which is the
foundation stone of mlnkind's moral and
religious .edifce; greatness, which has
only one inspiration, and that, to do
right. Gilded symmetry of speech. and
the magnetism of voice and gesture, may.
temporarily, entrance and captivate the
bearer; yet, this is not the mani est ation
of greatness such as belonged to the
character of the, lamented, John Adams,
for whose loss the state of Massachusetts,
and our nation mourned Neiih>r is i,
the greatness which characterized the
life-bo,h public and. private-of our
dear, departed Lincoln and of many
other representative Americans, Whose
hbors in this earthly vineyard, long age,
ceased.
We are now called upon to lament
national loss in the death of another
great man, the late chief justice Of our
supreme court-Morrison II. Waite.
He was great, not in the popular aud
prominent sense Of o noisy and active
politician, but great, In the operation of
quite, earnest, candid mind, sitting in
judgement upon mumentous issues 10
volving the legal and equitable rights of
nations, states and individuals. Our
couutry's laws are formulated and passed
in the congress Of our people, and vet.
these congressional cnactments must be
subjected to the microscopic scyrutin and
dissection Of our supreme court before
they are finally accepted and adopted as
the laws Of the land. THIS is the court
Of last resort for the people, and its
decisions are final and unarpealable with
in the jurisdictional limits OF the United
States. The position Of the late, hon
orable, chief justice, carries with it more
legal responsibility than that of, even
our national executive head. The pow
ers of the president are, indeed, extern
sive; yet his official province is to
execute the laws, while our nations
judges must define and interpret uhat is
ldp. Their sphere Of action is separate
and distinct from all other departments
OF government. 1t bears the insignia Of
impartial purity, in the administrations
of its functions. 1t is meant to be out
Of reach Of the corrupling influence of
passion and prejudice. The theory of
our government, is, that no stain of
iniquity shall ever blemish the spotless
ermine of the national, temple of Justice.
This court is our "sanctum sanctorum,"
wherein is preserved the peoples lark
Of the covenant" SO quietly, unassum.
nely, diligently and faithfully is the
abor Of this court performed, that it
'auses only an occasional ripple upon the
urface of the vast sea of our national
ife. 1t Is the rudder Of the ship of
tate, which moves noiselessly and un-
cen, while it braces the old craft to the
Wind aud holds her steady in the gale
)ne by one our supreme justices-the
legal euardians-pass from the
vorld's theater Of act on and are soon
Dst to us 10 the treaeheious and mercilcss
whirlpool Of forgetfalness. Over the
raves Of military chieitains VIC erect
monuments Of renown, and the active
rain Of the historian keeps grecn the
memory of their noble deeds; but how
the slabs which mark the
es'ing place Of other honorable dead,
whom we owe debt of equal. il not
tronger gratitude. Men whose entire
YES, health and strength have been as {
nsclfshly-although unos'euta,iously-
evoted to our coun'ry's welfare 10 the a
Of the constitution aud the =
berries OF the people. We would not t
,rset the patriotic services Of the +
Military, plumed knight, who nobly e
attled for our liberties he deserves an v
onored grave. But let Us not be uu- :
indful of our other, faithful soldiers. l
hose warfare has not been waged with v
spear aud buckler,' aud yet, through
hose PERSISTENT and honorable va,or, VIZ 4
\ va acltev Cd = ,.t nri. 4 Il n