Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-02-08
THE SUPREME COURT.

/ E1eI0.
New York, Feb. 5.-The sad events
OF the last few days ut Washington
dimmed considerably the celebration Of.
the centennial Of the Federal Judiciary
that was begun here yesterday.
The attendance at the literary ex--
ercises in the Metropolitan Opera House
was the most notable that ever filed the
magnificent building Distributed about
the galleries were banners and shields,
bearing the coats of arms Of the various
States in the Union. The interior Of
the building was otherwise deliberately
decorated.
On the right OF the stage, in the front
row, were seated the members OF the
United States Supreme Court, Chief
Justice Fuller being directly beside ex-
President Grover Cleveland, who pre-
sided. Others seated on the stage in
cluded ex-Justice William Strong, Sem
ator Evarts, T. j. ]. Semmes, of New
Orleans; General William 7. Sherman,
Noah Davis, Chauncey NJ. Depew, w.
w. Astor, Charles p. Davis and David
Dudley Field.
Ex-President Cleveland presided, and
after number of National airs by the
orchestra he stepped forward and was
received with applause. Mr.. Cleveland
began his address as follows:
We are accustomed to express on every 1T
occasion our reverence for the virtue and
patriotism in which the foundations Of our"
Republic were laid, and to rejoice in the
blessings vouchsafed to us under free instl-
buttons. Thus we have lately celebrated.
with becoming enthusiasm, the centennialss
of the completion OF our Constitution and
the Inauguration of our first President.
To-day we have assembled to commemo-
rate an event connected with our beginning
as people, which more than any other gave
safety and the promise OF perpetuity to the
American plan Of Government, and which,
more than other happily Illustrated the wis
dom and enlightened foresight Of those who
designed our National structure.
In the work of creating our Nation the ele-
ments OF q free Government were supplied
concessions Of sovereign States, by surren-
der OF accustomed rights and by the insplra-
tion Of pure and disinterested patriotism
II from these elements there had not been,
evolved that feature of our Federal system
which Is our theme to-day, the structure
might have been fair to look upon and might
have presented O semblance of sOlldity and
strength; but 1t would have been only u,
semblance; and the completed edifice would
have within its foundations the intirmity of
decay and ruin.
1t must be admitted that II Is hardly within,
the power OF human language so to compass
diverse interests and claims within the lines
of written Constitution as to free II entirely
from disputes of construction; and certainly
diverse constructions are apt to lurk in the
diction Of constitution declared by the
president OF the convention which formu
lated II to be "the result OF a spirit Of amity-'
and Of that mutual Difference and concession
which the popularity Of our political sltua-
tion rendered Indispensable.
1t Is fairly plain and palpable, both from
reason and review Of events In our history.
that without an arblter to determine finally
and concluslvely the rights and duties en-
braccd in the language of the Constitution.
the Union of States and the life Of the Amer
lean Nation must have been precarious and
disappointing Indeed, there could hardly
have been a well-grounded hope that they
would long survive the Interpretation of the
national compact by every party upon whom
II rested, and the insistance of each to the.
last extremity upon such an Interpretation,
as would secure coveted rights and benefits,
and absolve from irksome duties and obllga-
tiOns.
In the creation OF the world the earth was
without form and void and darkness was
upon the face of the deep, until God said,-
"Let there be light" and there was light.
In the creation of the new Nation, our free
institutions were without form and SYM
metry of strength, and the darkness of hope
lessness brooded over the aspirat ions of our
people, until q light in the Temple of Justice
and Law, gathered from the Divine Fountain
of Light, illuminated the work OF the fathers
of the Republic.
On this centennial day we will devouty
thank Heaven for the revelation to those
who formed our Government of this source
of strength and light, and for the inspiration
of dlsinterested patriotism and consecrated1
devotion which established the tribunal
which we to-day commemorate.
Mr.. Cleveland closed by paying a hig
tribute to the dignity and great services
of the august tribunal, and the respect
with which its decisions have been re-
ceived by the country.
Addresses were also made by Mr.. JUS.
tice Field and others.
Among other things, Mr.. Justice Field.
said:
In every age and with every people there
have been celebrations for trlumphs In war
for battles won on land and on sea-andfor
triumphs Of peace, such as the opening OF
new avenues of commerce. the discovery OF
new fields Of industry and prosperity, the
construction of stately temples and mOnu-
ments or grand edlfces for the arts and
sciences and for the btll n0Dler Institueinnss
of charity. But never until now has there
been In any country celebration like this,
to commemorate the establishment of a ju-
dlcial tribunal as a coordinate and perma--
nent branch OF Its government. The unob-
truslve labors OF such department. the sim
plclty OF Its proceedings, unaccompanled by
49, 81
persons composing 1t have caused 1t to es--
cape rather than to attract popular attention.
and applause.
This celebration had It's inspiration In n
profound reverence for the Constitution of.
the United States, the sure and only means.
OF preserving the Union, with its inestlmable-
and tho conviction that this tri-
has fotlr kad fko