The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-03
JOHN MARSHALL.

served in the national capital and many
cities tomorrow are not to be in honor
Of she centennial anniversary of the
United States Supreme Court; the court
is eleven years older. Nor are they to
be in commemorauon of the accession of
the first chief justice, as some persons
seem to think; there were chief justices
ahead of Marshall The functions are a
tribute to- the genius and patriotism Of
the man who is regarded as the greatest
OF the Supreme Court justices = John
Marshall Of Virginia.
Marshall was a soldier for eight years.
lighting the battles of his country with
musket and sword. The excellence of his
services in the field won him promotions.
and he was Gen. Marshall al the close of
the War Of the Revolution. From 17sS 90
1901, when he assembled the supreme
bench, he was successfully a member of
the Assembly of Virginia, the constitu-
iional convention of Virginia, the con-
stitutional convention OF the United
States, a member of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, Secretary of War, an ambas-
sador to France, and Secretary of State.
His fame. however, rests upon none of
these services, though they were highly
distinguished II is as the expounder of
the consttution-the man who gave that
instrument virility and shaped its course
IN the direction that it has since main
tained-that Marshall is known and hon
ored by his countrymen.
Marshall was but 46 years of age at the
time of his appointment. He was then in
the office of Secretary Of State. Tradi-
ton has pretty little story of how he
was apprized Of his selection which goes
10 show that the honor was not only
unsought by Marshall. but that he had
even recommended to the President the
appointment of another When Chief JUS
tice Ellsworth resigned, in November,
1890, President Adams offered the place
to John Jay, who declined. The matter
was then held ip allegiance for some time
One day Marshall suggested a name.
Gen. Marshall" said President Adams
you need not give yourself any further
trouble about that matter. / have made
up my mind about it," Il am happy to
hear that you are relieved on the sub
ject," said Marshall. May ! ask whom
you have fixed upon?" Certainly" said
the President: II have concluded to noml-
nate a person whom 1t may surprise you
TO hear mentioned. He is a Virginia law
yer, plain man, by the name of John
Marshall" He was nominated on Jan.
On
at the February term of the court, though
he was still holding the office of Secre-
tary of State.
For thirty-six years he wore the ermine
of the highest court in the land. During
that period he met, grappled and mas
tered many of the most mementous and
perilous questions that ever confronted
jurist The experiment Of government by
the people was new. The machinery Of
the government was crude, and ran with
| jars and jolts. There We're constant
| clashes with respect to the rights Of the
! Individual states as against the rights of
the general government.
Marshall was a strong Federalist. 1.-The
| United States" he said, for many i'm
portant purposes. form a single nation.
! The states are constituent parts of the
| United States" 1t was his dream to see
the central government strong and Wig
| orous. On the other side was Thomas
| Jefferson, the Republican, or Democrat
who was appalled, at the idea of central
| izing power in the hands of the Federal
| authorities He believed that it would re-
suit in the creation of a government that
would prove corrupt-the most corrupt
on earth-and thus cause the downfall
of the young republic.
| Throughout their careers these eminent
| Virginians, Marshall and Jefferson. were
bitter political opponents. Each thought
the other was vitality wrong in his con-
! ception OF public policy and the funda-
mental law each thought the other :
policies put into execution would drive
! the government to speedy destruction, Yet
both have been placed upon a pedestal
| by their countrymen, and it cannot be
said that either holds a higher position
than the other in their veneration and
esteem.
Attorney General Griggs was short
time ago asked to write a tribute to the
| great chief justice whose decisions made
national history. He replied: ITO pay a
tribute 60 John Marshall would be to
write history of American constitution
al law. During a period of thirty-five
years this great jurist handed down opin-
ions from the bench which now form the
| standard authority on constitutional ques-
lions, and will forever stand an imper-
ishable monument to his judicial acumen
and learning"
SENATOR CLAY NOT DISCOURAGED.