Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-02-07
CHEF JUSTICE MARSHALL
Geo R65srtx0n Writes Tire Ledger s
N5sf Interesting Letter Regarding
This Noble Pstrics and Eni-
nsrf guriE

40Sf L1tefeStIZg Letter AeSAGAs
This Eobls Pztrics and Emil
ns-i JEriE
TO tne E9aa1 o. iNt Lesru
MExIoo Feh 4th. Gre hundred
yezH ago to-day John Marshall vSs
indicted into The 0rsoe q CHEF JUS
uioe q the supreme OouTt q the Uu+
ted states
He had been appointed by President
John Adams tbe twentieth q the pre-
ceedi1g month and Was al that time
Secretary Of state, which ONCE he bed
tin March Srd following He per-
formed the functions q TIE exalted
positoa q Chief Justice tan bis
death July 6h ISsa a period q
thiTy-hve years five months and tao
days
The idea a the celebration O. The
centenary Of AaHhAlls Installation as
Chief Justice originated With the
Illinois Bar Association about tive
years ago vas taken Up By the Amer
can Bar Association and a committee
q one appointed from each state and
Territory and from the District Of
Columbia, 70 take charge Of the oere
monies Throughout The United States
O0mmemoTatiJn ceremonies vii be
held to-day al the Marshall home
stead IN Riehmond, Va, BY the bar Of
that state al Washington, T. G, by
the supreme OOurr and all coordinate
branches Of ths government and BY
courts schools colleges and law
schools throughout the country.
John Marshall vas BON in the little
town q Germantown, Farquier ooun-
ty, Va, sept "A 1855. He entered
the Revolutionary War as Lieutenant
q company in q regiment in which
his father was q Major. Hewas after
ward commissioned a Captain in
another regiment. was in a great
many engagements against the Brit
ISL and shared the hardships and
sufering Of The American soldiers
under Washington, in winter quarterI
al Valley Forge
After six years spent in arduous
military service be resigned his conf
mission in the army and studied law,
having previous 10 that attended a.
session Of Law lectures at William and
Mary College.
After the close q the war when the
Courts were re0pensd, be began prac-
tioe in his native county and quickly
rose TO high distinction at the bar.
In T7S3 be married, and took up bis
permanent residence in Richmond.
Several times be was a member Of the
Legislature Of Virginia and was a n
member Of the state Convention
called to consider the ratification q
United States Constitution. He wasI
a decided advocate o. the ConSyitu-
ton and was opposed in the conven-
tion by Patrick Henry, the most
powerful opponent of the acceptance
Of the Constitution by the state.
To Marshall and James Madison is
entirely due the fact that HenryS op-l
position was overcome and the Con-
stitution accepted by the State Of
Virginia, whose example was followed
by other states IN rapid succession,
thereby creating the government d
the United States under the present
Constitution.
Washington IN his second term offer
ed Marshall the places Of Attorney
General and Envoy 70 France, both Of
which be declined
In 49,, be- with Pinkney and Ger
~, was appointed BY President Adams
as Joint EHY0ys 70 France 70 establish
diplomatic relations with that count
~, but in which they failed. On
Marshallis return from France he was
rendered a seat On the United States
Supreme bench but it wa declined.
Ia 1893 be was elected TO Congress but
served a single session. Though nomi- /
mated for Secretary Of War, but be-
fore the confirmation vas made by the
Senate be vas nominated for Secreta-
" Of state and On being confirmed by
the Senate, accepted and served to the
close Of Adams administration. After
his appointment as Chief Justice be
held both Offices. In ls29 was
elected a delegate TO the State Con-
yention 70 revise the Constitution Of
the State Of Virginia, attended and
participated in the debates u that
body, where be met, as members Of the
convention, ex-Presidents Madison and
Monroe.
In comparison with his judicial
work as the Great Chief Justice, as he
isnoW and always will be known. there
are few incidents 10 his life OF great
Importance. His chief merit 70 i'm
mortality is that he has been truly
designated tthe second maker Of the
Constitution"
He was diSliked by jefferson who.
his terms as President and sub
sequently till his death. never
ceased 70 attack Marshall in bis fire.
quent Letters. Jefferson called him
crafty Chief Judge" criticised his
opinions and charged him with hay-
a "anoorous hatred to the govern
nent Of his country but the test Of 4
time and the opinion Of the country is {
overwhelming and decidedly emphatic Z
Mr. jefferson in this yies.
Next to Washington, Marshall z
asthe greatest individual Of the
founders u the Republic. The former ,
'onceiyed the plan u nationality and !
he latter established 1t and through !
lis power as Chief Justice turned the !
Hnan0hntcL.