Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-05
JUDICIAL ERMINE.
1t Takes a Day for Centennial
Celebration.
THE LEGAL LIGHTS OF TEE NATION


Addresses Delivered by Field, CIeve-
land, Arnoux. Phelps and Others on
the Functions of the Judiciary-The
Banquet.
NEW YORK, Feb. 5.-Dimmed considerably
by the sad events Of the past few days, the
celebration of the centennial of the federal
Judiciary was yesterday morning inaug
urated. The weather seemed designed to
cast further gloom upon the affair, for a
disagreeabe rain set in shortly after o
o'clock, which grew heavier rs the hour for
the exercises approached All preparations
had been perfected for the event, however,
aud neither the absence of the president and
his cabinet, nor the atmospheric influences,
were permitted to interfere with the celebra-
ton. At all the principal hotels early calls
were made upon the distinguished guests
from all over the Union, and every atten-
ton was shown them by tbs committee in
charge
Great Gathering of Legal Lights.
Carriages rolled up to the doors, and the
guests were escorted TO the Metropoli tau
Opera house, where they gathered In the
waiting rooms and Hobbies awaiting the
formation of the procession AT 1890 the
procession, headed by the judges of the SUI
preme court Of the United States in their
official robes, followed by the various
judges of the federal district courts, the
New York state court OF appeals. the SUI
preme, superior, common pleas and other
courts, marched down the various aisles of
the opera house, and occupied the various
seats and boxes allotted them The mem
bers of the supreme court OF the Uni ted
States occupied seats ON the stage along with
ex-President Grover Cleveland and many
other legal dignitaries. The immense audito-
rum was crowded with national and state
lawmakers, lawyers, citizens and representa-
tives of the professions. Many ladies were
present.
Chairman Cleveiand's speech.
When Mr. Cleveland took his place as
president of the assemblage there was loud
and prolonged cheering and il was several
minutes before the honorable ex-president
could be heard. Mr.. Cleveland then in a clear
voice delivered his Introductory address
which was discussion OF the importance OF
the judiciary system OF the country in the
establishment of the government He closed
as follows:
On this centennial day we will devoutly thanh
heaven for the revelation to those who formed
our government. OF this source of strength anC
light, and for the inspiration OF disinteresteG
patriotism and consecrated devotion which es
tablished the tribunal which we to-day com
memorate. Our fathers had sacrificed much q
be free. Above all things they desired free
dom 10 be absolutely secured TO themselve:
and posterity. And yet with all their enthus
u luf fffNtsr
refer 10 the tribunal which they devised al
questions arising under their newly framed
constitution affecting the freedom and the pro
lection aud safety OF the citizen.
A Restraint on Dangerous Liberty.
Though bitter experience had taught then
that the instrumentalities of government
might trespa-s upon freedom, and though they
had learned In IA hard school the cost of the
struggle To wrcst liberty from the grasp oil
power, they refused, in the solemn work they
had In hand, o take counsel of undue fear OF
distracting perturbation; and they calmly anC
deliberately established as IA function of theil
governments check upon unauthorized free
dom and restraint upon dangerous liberty
Their attachment and allegiance to the sover
eighty OF their states were warm and unfalter.
ing; but these did not prevent them from con
tributing fraction OF that sovereignty q
the creation of q court which should guarC
and protect their new nation and save anC
porpetuate government which should in al
time TO come bless an independent people
The Divine Blessing Invoked.
When Mr. Cleveland had finished speaking
the Rev. J. Morgan Dix offered prayer, in
vokiug divine blessing on the vast Assem-
blage and their doings throughout the meet
ing He spoke feelingly of the sad bereave
ments In the families OF Secretaries Blain,
and Tracy, and moved many of the audi
ence TO tears by the touching manner in
which he described the tragic deaths of Mrs
and Miss Tracy DR. Dix In conclusion
prayed for the president and cabinet, and
hoped that theabsenceof the chief magistrat,
and officials from their presence was only
temporary.
Address of Welcome.
Judge William II. Armour, chairman oil
the judiciary centennial committee of tn,
New York Bar association, delivered the ad
dress OF welcome He said attention to tn.
celebration of the centenary Of the organi
zation of the supreme court Of the Unitec
States was first invited by President Harri
son In his inaugural Judge Armour wei
coined the guests in behalf OF those assem-
bled, and said that the occasion was a fit
ting one One hundred years ago on thi,
day, the first Tuesday in Febru airy, 1870, tn,
first session at the exchange In the city OF
New York, and installed In office the chief
justice, two associate justices and attorney
general This action completed the organi-
cation of the three departments of the gov
ernment. Judge Arnoux then reviewed at
some length the high and independent char
acter of the court, and the labors and growth
of the body from its inception up to the pres
ent time.
Other Eloquent Orations.
Judge Armour, was warmly applauded
throughout, and at his conclusion Mr.. Will
lam Allen Butler delivered an eloquent ad.
dress, during the reading of which he wal
frequently interrupted by applause, ON "Ths
Origin Of the Supreme Court OF the United
States and Its Place in tho Constitution
The address was scholarl effort, and had
an appreciative audience. The Hon. Henry
Hitchcock, of Missouri, followed in an able
discourse on "The Supreme Court and the
Constitution" which elected much applause
personal Characters Of the Chief Justices
was tine subject handled by Mr. Thomas ]
Semmes, Of Louisiana
The Sovereignty of the People.
Edward j. Phelps, of Vermont, next read
a paper entitled 1.-THE Supreme Court anc
the Sovereignty of the People" in which hi
said that American institutions rest upor
the foundation stone OF popular sovereignty
The sovereignty of the people, however, 4
not the arbitrary power of the multitude; il
b simply the recognition of the equal right
of man as the basis of a government
formed for their protection by its people
and regulated by law. This definition of tn,
much abused phrase is always kept in view
by the supreme court.
Justice Fields Response.
Mr.. Justice Field then, amid much ap
plauso, arose and in his usual eloquent man
oer responded for tue court. He said tina
In every age and with every people there
have been celebrations of triumphs in war
and of triumphs in peace, but mover has
there been in any country a celebration like
this-to commemorate tho establishment OF