Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-10-01

president This is the opinion of the
United States George Washington BIZ
centennial Commission which recog-
nizes the achievements of John Marsh
all, Americas foremost jurist and one
OF the leading jurists the world has
ever produced, on the one hundred and
seventy-sixth anniversary of his birth.
John Marshall was follower of Cen
eral Washington in the Revolutionary
War; John Marshall was Washing
tons most famous disciple in the theory
that nation which is to exist must
be strongly centralized and law-abid-
ing; John Marshall wrote the first great
biography of General George Washing
ton
Americas greatest jurist was born in
Germantown NOV Midland), Fauquier
County, Virginia, on September a. 1755,
the son of Thomas Marshall, a friend
and neighbor of George Washington.
He received but little formal education,
and before he had reached his majority
his thoughts were taken up with the
impending crisis which was soon to
bring the Colonies -to an eight years
struggle with the Mother Country.
In the summer of TITS, a regiment
of minutemen was raised in Culpeper,
Orange and Fauquier counties Thomas
Marshall was the major of this regi-
ment and his son, John, not quite 20
years of age, was lieutenant On their
green hunting Shirts the mothers and
sisters of these volunteers had in
.scribed the motto Liberty or DEATH"
Their banner pictured coiled rattle
snake with the words do not tread
on me" A green, unframed, poorly
equipped regiment, with hunting rifles,
knives and even tomahawks for weap-
ons, the men nevertheless evidenced
determination which was to prove un-
crushable
John Marshall served at Brandywine,
Germantown, Valley Forge, Monmouth,
Stony Point, and Paulus Hook, and was
one Of the most popular men in the
army. His athletic ability, his geniality
and kindness won the affection of all
men associated with him.
As the war drew to close, Marsh
all began the study of law, and it was
not very long before he was recognized
as one of the leading lawyers of the
State of Virginia
! When the Old Dominion State called
a special convention, in 1888, for the
purpose of ratifying or rejecting the
new Federal Constitution, Marshall
played an important part in the pro-
ceedings. There was great deal of OPP
position to the new instrument of gov
eminent, and the directors were led
by none other than the famous orator,
Patrick Henry.
1t required great deal of patience,
reason, and skill to batter down the
arguments of Henry and his followers,
but the ratificationists, with James
Madison and John Marshall at the helm,
were able to accomplish this feat.
Nine years later, in 1897, President
John Adams appointed Marshall, with
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Ell
bridge Gerry, on special mission to
France.
We were having difficulties with our
former ally The French Directory was
undoubtedly corrupt at this time; in
direct demands were made for huge
bride from America, before negotia-
tons would even be considered Marsh
all and Pickney refused to deal in this
fashion and left France. The country
supported this refusal and Marshall,
upon his return, was everywhere hailed
as a hero, defender of Americas
honor.
We must skip over some Of Marshall's
achievements and come down to 1901.
when he became Chief Justice of the
United States Supreme Court. Before
that time the Court was not held in
high repute. 1t did not possess the dig
nifty and power which it exercises to-
day.
But after Marshall took the reins the
situation changed. Because of his mar |,
velous power of analysis and logic, John
Marshall became a leader Of the |
Supreme Court in spirit as well as in
name.
No man did more to centralize the |
Government; no man did more to in
terpret the Constitution, and to estab-
lish the right of the judiciary to de-
clare Federal and State acts unconsti-
tutional. The forty-four decisions
rendered by the Chief Justice are his
living monument still as potent today
as when he delivered them.
During the first few years OF office