The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-05
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY :. 1901.
JOHN MARSHALL DAY.

The John Marshall celebration in
Richmond yesterday was mrst
gratifying success from every poi,,t
If view The gathering AT the
Academy OF Music in the afternoon
and the banquet at the jefferson at night
were occasions Ia be proud of. occasions
TO be remembered. Truly may il be said.
that in hono,ing John Marshall We have
l,onored ourselves, and it must be good
thing 10 have the thoughts of the people
OF Virginia thus turned 10 The life and
work of the most distinguished jurst the
country ever produced.
Mr.. Justice Gray's address was, OF
course. the feature OF the celebration, and
II did honor 10 himself and To
the occasion. 1t was. in the main, historI-
cal and, was 10 be expected. it dealt
largely with Marshall's characteristics as
lawyer and Judge, with the eminent de
cisions that he rendered and their effect.
The address showed labor and research
In every line, and a profound knowledge
of John Marshall's work and the great
cases that he decided. The distinguished
speaker has evidently read everything on
the subject that has come within h;
reach The address. therefore, is a val
liable contribution TO the literature Of the
country, and viii be preserved in book
form a standard work and as an au-
thoritv on this subject. If the John Mar
hall celebration had done nothing more
ti,a-, 1,fi, |, t1,i Id
been in vain
1t was good also To have drawn out Mr.
Justice Grays estimate Of Chief Justice
Marshall Marshall. said he was a
great statesman. as well as "a great law
Yer, and Yet constantly observed The dis
Iinction between law. az iudcially ai-
mnistcred, and craftsmanship. The Con
sttution Of the United States created a
nation upon the foundation OF a written
constitution; and as eNpoundci by Mar
shall, transferred in large degree the de-
termination OF the constitutionality OF the
acts of the legislative or executive from
the political te the judicial department.
During the thirty-four years OF
his chief justiceship he cxpounded the
Constitution, in almost every aspect With
nneNampled saGacity, courage and eau
ton. lie had an intuitve perception of
the real issue of the case. however COM
plicated. and of the way in which it
should be decided. His manner of reason
Ing was peculiarly judicial IT was sim
pie. direct, clear, strong. earnest, logical.
comprehensive, demonstrative starting
from admitted premises. frankly meeting
tvery difficulty, pressing the case IN
Nery possible aspect and leading to phil
,sophicai conclusions, sound in theory
md practical effect. He recognized that.
acxt TO a right decision. ii was important
Ia, reasons for the decision SHOULD be
fully stated so as TO satisfy the parties
and the public
And at the conclusion of his address he
said:
Brethren of the Bar of the Old Do.nin-
lon: Fellow-citizens Of the United States:
ITO whatsoever professional duty. or pub
lie Office we may. any OF Us, be called We
Fan find in the long line of en- nent ,dges
with whom Almighty Providence has
blessed our race. no l, CHER in PHI, ton. no
surer guide. than in the example and in
the teaching of John Marshall.
The charm of this address was in its
simplicity and its sincerity. There was
no attempt TO eulogize Joan MARSHAL.
The one purpose of The spea'ser was 10
bring before his audience nd impress
hem with it. the great wor VIII Oh his
great man accomplished. Marshal.'s
career was eulogy in itself. and that
vas the prominent thought in In address.
There is a man for every emersency-cali
Il man of destiny II you pcase-and as
surely as George Washington was choeea
10 be Americas liberator. su-t so ely
WAS John Marshall chosen TO be the cx-
FOUNDER and Interpreter of the organic
kw - tie Hand