New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-23
JUSTICE BROWN SPEAKS AT CORNELL.

JUSTICE BROWN SPEAKS AT CORNELL.
DISCOURSE on CHIEF JUSTICE MARsHALI~-NR.
MKINLEY on THE FAREWELL ADDRESS
Ithaca. y. y. Feb. IA large audience Of stu
dents and distinguished visitors gathered in the
armory at Cornell University this morning for the
ceremonies in celebration OF Washngton's Birth
day. Over 1000 invitations had been sent to dis
tinguished members Of the bar and other eminent
men. and such an audience was assembled As has
graced but few occasions In the history OF the uni
versity
In his Introductory remarks President schurman
announced that. it just 100 years since
Washington issued his farewell address. he had pre-
pared a special Cornell centennial edition OF that
priceless possession" which he heartily COM
mended to the students He also said that he had
received from Major Mckinley a letter giving the
President-eects estimate of the famous address
The letter, which is printed as a sort OF preface
10 the special edition. is follows:
Next to the Declaration of independence itself
Washingtons Farewell Address is the richest heri-
tage that has come down to from the fathers OF
the Republic. II is not only perfect analysis Of
the spirit of the Constitution. but it is lofty APP
peal to true American patriotism. accompanied by
words Of solemn warning and advice. the wisdom
of which has been increasingly demonstrated by
added experience OF each successive generation.
most strongly commend your proposition to cele-
bra,e the centennial of this great document by
dents Of Cornell University.
Believe me 10 be, with great respect. yours very
truly W. MKINLEY."
The Hon. Andrew D. White presented portraits Of
six distinguished jursts and the gift accepted
in speech by the Hon. +. NJ. Finch. dean OF the
College Of Law.
Justice Brown. OF the United States Supreme
Court, delivered the Grafton OF the day. Chief
Justice Marshall. He said: During the first ten
years the Supreme Court gave only one important
decision. and the States at once reversed that by
constitutional amendments. Then John Marshall
made Chief Justice. He became az the
guiding intellect of that great tribunal OF the l,lOj
opinions nled during his .ncumbency OF thTty-iOui
years. nearly one-half were delivered by Marshall
himself, but his fame rests upon less tnan a score
OF his constitutional decisions.
Fortunately. Marshall was untrammelled by prec-
edents. II the construction OF colonial charters
afforded him any light he never acknowledged II. as
he rarely cited case authority except 10 answer
opinions. weighed down as they are by prior cases
to OF Marshalls clear-cut statements OF the
law. wherein by process or pure reasoning ne
marches directly 10 his conclusions. His self-rcli-
subsequent opinions OF that court compare with
his in lucidity Of statement. breadth of argument
and directness OF purpose Indeed, he was not
merely the expoundcr OF the Constitution. but vir-
known as constitutional law. Accepted Mar
shall's views OF the Constitution now generally are.
II must not be supposed JhaH they received the
unanimous approval OF the court The strict con-
structionsts were always ably represented upon
the Supreme bench though not I'LL Marshalls death
did they threaten 10 sway the ruling OF the court
Justice Brown closed with survey OF those prob
lens OF accumulated and centralized capital IN
tutiona law he the stern centre OF the future
decisions OF the Supreme Court OF the United States.