Evening star., 1931-12-13

United States Supreme Court, the name
of John Marshall, one of the earliest biog-
raphers of the Father of His Country, will be
eminently recalled during the forthcoming
Bicentennial Celebration
The greatest jurist ever produced in America,
and, indeed, one of the most outstanding jur-
lists the world has ever known was born ct
Germantown (now Midland), Fauouier County,
Va, on September "A, 1755. So overawing has
been his judicial reputation that the world to-
day knows him only the United States Su-
preme Justice who for 35 years was practically
soSe interpreter of the Federal Constitution,
and the man who established the dignity and
prestige of the highest court of America.
But John Marshall was more than a jurist.
He was besides a soldier, a member of the
State Legislature a member of the United
States Congress, envoy to France, Secretary of
State of the United States and author-one
of the most versatile men in the annals of
American history
John Marshall had but meager formal edu-
cation. Schools in those days we're not COM
mon and young John received his early educa-
tion on the knee of his father, Thomas Mar
shall friend and neighbor of George WASH
ington. Later his father procured for him the
services of tutor, Rev. James Thompson, an
Episcopal clergyman recently arrived from Scot
land At the age OF IA Marshall was sent to the
academy of the Messrs. Campbell, in Westmore-
land County, the same school that had been
attended by George Washington and Thomas
Marshall. One of his schoolmates was James
Monroe, later to become the fifth President of
the United States.
Upon his return home, after one year of
formal schooling, the young mans thoughts
were taken up with the approaching crisis be-
tween the Colonies and the mother country
As early as 1774. John Marshall joined regi-
ment of volunteers and trained company of
militia In the Summer of TITS, when hope for
q settlement of the difficulties with the mother
country was abandoned, q regiment of Minute
Men was raised in Culpeper, Orange and Fau-
qufer Counties Thomas Marshall was the major
of this regiment and his son, john not quite 20
years of age, lieutenant. On their green
hunting shirts, the mothers and sisters of these
volunteers had inscribed the motto Liberty
or Deathi" Their banner pictured a coiled
rattlesnake with the words "Do Not Tread
on Me-" A green, unframed, poorly equipped
regiment, with hunting rifles, knives and even
tomahawks for weapons. the men nevertheless
evidenced determination which was to prove
uncrushable
IN l776 Marshali's regiment was sent to Join
Gen Washington's forces in New Jersey. The
young lieutenant Immediately became one of
the most popular men in the Army, both with
the men and officers Tall strong and of great
stamina he soon the athletic champion of
his regiment. In running, jumping and QUOT
throwing, young Marshall had no peer
HIS kindness his good common sense, his
geniality and his insight won for him the un-
official title Of arbter OF private disputes Thus
John Marshall's training jurist commenced
before he had ever read a page in law book
From 1776 to 1779, Marshall saw service at
Brandwine, Germantown, Valley Forge, Mon
mouth, Stony Point and Pauus Hook Besides
learning the art OF war in these campaigns
Marshall learned a greater lesson He realized
the advantages that would accrue by central
hatton and cooperation of the States. He had
experienced the sad conditions which resulted
from loose confederation. He had suffered
- 2rivations caused by dsorganization. It
can be said, without reservation, that his army
experiences of those three years made of him
m intense advocate of strong centralized gov
crnment for the rest of his life
In 1779, Marshall, now q captain was sent
back to Virginia to take charge of any new
troops which might be raised there While in
Richmond during the Winter of 1880 Mar
shall attended the law lectures of the famous
George Wythe, at William and Mary College;
and in the Summer OF 1780, he received q
license to practice law in Virginia But when
the British invaded his native State, he joined
Baron Steuben's forces until 1781 when he
resigned his commission to return to the study
and practice of law
In 1882 Marshall was elected to the Virginia
House of Burgesses. where he served until 1891
and again from 1795-1797. BY 1795 John Mar
shall was already recognized leading mem
Der of the Virginia bar
"A special Virginia State convention was
called in 1888 to decide whether or not Vir-
ginia would ratify the Federal Constitution.
Without doubt, this meeting was one of the
most important and exciting ever held in the
Old Dominion State There was great deal
Of opposition to the document Led bv
Patrick Henry, those opposed to the adoption
of the Constitution put up heated fight II
this instrument of government wara
adopted, the power of the States would be
curtailed and liberty would be thing of the
past argued Henry and his followers.
The forces for ratification were led by James
MSeison and John Marshall titanic strug-
gle OF intelects was waged Without great
display of oratory or emotion, Madison and
Marshall hammered home their points with
logical arguments which proved irrefutable