The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-05
Assembled I'm the Hall of Represents
atives and Listened to Eulogies
of an Eminent Patriot.
MARsHALL's WORK REVIEWED BY
CHIEF JUSTICE FULLER.
Eloquent Tribute by Wayne Mae
veagh, whose Glowing Perora-
tion Pleased the President.

John Marshall day was celebrated In
this city by the State Bar Association. At
Plymouth Church. yesterday afternoon. az
3 o'clock, when an open meeting was held.
The State Senate adjourned at noon TO
give its members an opportunity OF attend
ing the meeting. General John G. Black
was to have been the orator OF the day.
but illness prevented his coming from Chi
cago, and his place on the programme was
taken by ex-Attorney General W. A.
Ketcham.
Mr.. Ketchams subject was THE Chief
Justice" An outline Of the principal events
of Marshalrs life was given, and this was
followed by an exhaustive discussion OF
his services as Chief Justice. Speaking OF
the years of activity which preceded the
year in which he ascended TO the Supreme
Bench, Mr. Ketcham said: while consid-
cred In each of these respective positions.
Marshall was great and would have left his
imprint upon the times. still had his life
ceased on the 3lst of January. 1901. IL IL
doubtful whether he would have been re-
garded as playing an important part In the
history of his country. All OF these were
simply preparatory to the great field which
was opened before him-the field OF con-
struction, definition and application Of laws
to rights. public and private: it was the
great school in and through which he
graduated into the higher seat upon the
bench. They were the springs. the rivu-
lets, the streams. the rivers rising I'm the
rocks OF war. flowing through the meadow
of peace past the hamlets and cities OF
legislative experience over the shoals and
sands Of controversy. until they emptied
into the great ocean from which he drew
his inspiration for his work upon the
bench. OF all these positions. although
they were filled well and honorably, II
might truthfully be said, as was said Of
the French warrior who. after retiring
from the profession OF arms. devoted him.
self to the cultivation OF flowers and pro-
duced new thing of beauty:
who is there now knows aught or his
story?
What is left of him but a name?
Or him who shared I'm Napoleon's glory.
And dreamed that his sword had won him
his fame.
Little did Jacqueminot suppose,
At Austerlitz or Moscow burning
Inat his fame would rest in the heart of =
rose"
MARSHALL'S FAME.
And Marshall's fame rests. and must
rest, with halo that will surround his
name through all coming generations. so
long as this Nation and this Constitution
shall last. upon his decisions as chief jus
tice OF the Supreme Court OF the United
States. that fastened upon this people for
al time that great instrument OF which
Mr.. Gladstone said: AS the British con-
stitution is the most subtle organism which
has proceeded from progressive history. so
the American Constitution is the most per-
feet work ever struck of at a given time
BY the brain and purpose OF man."
Speaking OF Marshalrs decisions which
had bearing upon those questions which
afterward were the cause OF the war be-
tween the States. Alexander Stephens
called it, Mr.. Ketcham said:
1T is especially TO be noted in all the
cases that presented constitutional oues-
tions for disposal, that the scarlet thread
that ran through the warp and woof OF the
fabric that he created was the idea thar
the people OF the United States and nor
the States. individually or collectively baa
created Nation. not continued a coufed.
eracy; Nation that could stand erect ana
rely on the powers that had been conferred
on IL and was not dependent on the conse,,
of the States. or of any one OF them. John
Marshalls brain and pen were as fertile
and productive as were the loins ~ bs.
father. Taking his seat on the bench IN
1s0l he Immediately assumed the reins ana
held them with an unfaitering srasp until
by death. they fell from his ncrvless
hand
CONCLUDING WORDS.
The present day multiplicity OF Iawbooks
and the overwhelming number Of decisions
that are daily reported was referred 10 bv
MIR. Ketcham. and comparison made with
the simplicity OF the days when these
things did not exist. and "a legal ouestio,
might be argued upon principle and de-
cided upon reason. without reference 70
whether the Supreme Court OF Idaho or
Florida has given opinion upon the
question" Concluding Mr.. Ketcham said.
concerning the great men who have fought
that the Constitution might live:
Grant. who. In the great battle for free
dom. Constitution and national existence.
commanded the armies that marched 10
victory and undying fame: Lincoln. who
led the Nation through the red sea OF war
and planted It's feet upon the everlastins
rock OF freedom. struck the shar,ies from
the bondman. wiped cut the stain OF siav.
cry and made actual and permanent that
which was theoretical and potential ONLY
in the Declaration OF Independence Wei
ster. who argued. illustrated and adorned
and clarified IL in the court OF the forum:
Washington. who participated in It's crea.
ton and by force OF his great character
and the profound admiration entertained
for him by the American people. procured
ats ratincstion-ail these were men Of rag
nifnde and greatness. Rnt amans than