The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-11-16
hooks und Corners
Of American History
By REV. THos. b. GREGORY
John Marshall.

John Marshall.
John Marshall, the great chief JUS
tice, was born in Germantown, Va,
In the year 1855.
AS very young man he was a sur
veyor, and before he had reached his
majority he was a lieutenant in the
Continental army, where he did val
lent service in behalf of the liberties
Of the colonies.
In 1870 he was licensed to practice
law, and at the close of the war, de
voted himself exclusively to his cho-
sen profession. Within a very short
time after he had hung out his single
he found himself with large prac-
tice. With characteristic modesty he
attributed his unusual success to the
extensive acquaintance he made dur
ing the war, when, in fact, it was ow-
ing to his transcendent ability and
conscientious devotion to his clients.
Tall, gaunt, awkward and i'll dress
ed, he was the laughing stock of the
dudes of his day; but when he strobe
into court he astonished judge, jury
and spectator by the ferverency of
his eloquence and the depth of his
knowledge.
In 1882 he was a member of the
Virginia legislature, and in 1888 was
elected member of the Virginia con-
vention for the ratification of the
federal constitution.
In 1875 Washington, who highly ess
teemed him, offered him the Office of
attorney General of the United States
and in 1896 he was asked to accept
the place of minister to France, both
of which were refused.
In 1897 President Adams prevailed
upon him to go as envoy extraordi-
nary to France to settle our disputes
with that country. While in Paris
Marshall was pitted against the as
tute and wiley Tallyrand, the prince
Of European diplomats, and at every
point Tallyrand failed-balked by
the incorruptible integrity and great
good sense Of the Virginian!
When Marshall got back to New
York he was given one of the grand
est receptions ever known up to that
time, and then was heard, for the firts
time, and then was heard for the first
for defense, but not a cent for trib-
ute!"
In 1899 at the special request of
Washington, Marshall ran for con-
gress and was elected, and in 1902
he was appointed to the high office of
chief justice of the United States by
Mr.. Adams.
This exalted place Marshall filled
for thirty-five years. AS chief justice
he may be said to have created the
spirit of nationality. He firmly believ-
ed in the nation, and in the constitu-
ton as its fundamental law"
Between Marshall and his illus
trous fellow Virginian, Jefferson,
there was constant clash, Marshall
inclining to centralism, while Jeffer-
son was the uncompromising cham
pion of "State Rights"
But whatever his theories of the
constitution may have been, John
Marshall was, in the truest sense of
the word, democrat. 1t was said
Of him that ''the chief justice of the
United States never ceased to be
plain John Marshall"
In his dress, in his manners, in
the frame and temper of his mind,
Marshall was thoroughly of and with
the people.
life Of the judges: 1--WE take no part
I'm Washington society. We dine once
a year with the president, and that is
all. In other days we dine together
and discuss together the questions
that are argued before us. We are
great ascetics, and even deny oursel-
YES wine, except in wet weather.
What / say about wine gives you our
rule but 1t sometimes happens that
the chief justice will say to me, when
the cloth is removed: Brother Story,
step to the window and see if it does
not look like raian." And if l tell him
that the sun is shining brightly,
Judge Marshall will sometimes re.
ply: All the better, for our jurisdic.
ton is over so large territory that
the doctrine of chances makes il
certain that 1t must be raining some.
where"
MarshalPs judicial duties called him
annually to Raleigh, N. c., and on
such occasions he would always stop
with a certain landlord whose house
was noted for its want of comfort
On one of his visits the chief jus,
tice was seen very early in the morn.
ing gathering up an armful of wood
at the woodpile. which he carried in,
to the house. When asked later on
in the day what he had been about
in the morning, he replied: Il sup
pose it was not convenient for Mr.
Cook to keep servant, so make up
my own fires"
No man ever questioned Marshall's
integrity. His unsophisticated good
ness awed all men.
AS is well known. Marshall presid
ed. at the Aaron Burr trial. in which
we have a striking demonstration OF