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it becomes us, as patriots, to pause, and reflect with instructive terror on the fate of nations like ancient Rome, which, because of public corruption and private profligacy, perished with such exemplary and appalling ruin. That Chief-Justice Taney, both as a statesman and a Judge, did all in his power to save his country from such a fate, must be manifest to all who may read this Memoir.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is made, by an Act of Congress, ex officio, one of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Chief-Justice Taney was the first to occupy that post. In order that it may be known how he performed the duties of the office, I give the following letter from the Secretary of the Institution, the eminent scientist, Dr. Joseph Henry :

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 4, 1872.

MY DEAR SIR: -Your letter, asking me to inform you as to the "manner in which Chief-Justice Taney performed his duties in his official relations with the Smithsonian Institution," has been received; and I take pleasure in complying with your request.

Chief-Justice Taney took a lively interest in the Smithsonian Institution, and was thoroughly imbued with an idea of its importance and the responsibility involved in its management. He frequently referred to the peculiarity of the bequest on which the Institution is founded, and to the fact that it was intrusted,

by a foreigner, to the United States for the good of mankind, and that therefore the Government was responsible to the civilized world for the proper interpretation of the will as well as for the faithful administration of the trust; that the failure of the Institution would not alone involve the loss of money and reputation, but would prevent the founding of similar establishments through the influence of an unfavorable example. He acquiesced in the analysis of the will as given in the first report of the Secretary, and approved of the plan of increasing and diffusing knowledge by facilitating scientific research and by publishing original works of a scientific character.

Shortly after the commencement of the operations of the Institution, he was elected Chancellor, or, in other words, Chairman of the Board of Regents, which office he held until his death. He was regular in his attendance at the meetings of the Board, and evinced to the last a remarkable accuracy of memory in reference to all the acts and the numerous incidents connected with the history of the Institution. As a presiding officer, his manner was admirably adapted to produce harmonious action amidst diversity of opinion. When at one period, in the history of the Institution, conflicting views were urged and personal animosities engendered, even then the discussions of the Board were conducted with that dignity of manner and calmness of deliberation which characterized, under his direction, the proceedings of the Supreme Court of the United States.

In the interim of the annual sessions of the Board of Regents, the Secretary habitually consulted him

with regard to the operations of the Institution, the disposition of the funds, and the course to be pursued in doubtful or perplexing cases. His advice was always judicious, founded as it was on a clear perception of what would be proper in view of the peculiarity of the bequest, and the character of the Government by which the bequest was to be administered.

In addition to the answer which I have given to the question which you have propounded to me, I beg leave to say that, from an unreserved intimacy with Judge Taney of nearly twenty years, I am led to a very high appreciation of his moral and intellectual character, and to entertain sentiments in regard to him which will ever induce me to cherish his memory as that of a great and good man.

Yours very respectfully,

TO SAMUEL TYLER, ESQ.

JOSEPH HENRY.

By this letter it is seen that Chief-Justice Taney manifested, as Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution, the same faithfulness to duty, and the same remarkable administrative ability, which characterized him in every station which he occupied throughout his long, eventful, and trying life.

CHAPTER VII.

PRIVATE LIFE.

FEEL that in this chapter I am undertaking a

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task almost too delicate for the pen of the historian, while members of the family of Chief-Justice Taney (and they ladies) are still living. The incidents of his domestic circle, which would illustrate with most beauty the private life of the Chief Justice, cannot be unveiled to public view. But in the great trial of life the Chief Justice was destined to walk over the hottest ploughshares ever put under the feet of a public man by his countrymen; and it is my duty to show, by his virtues, that he passed through the ordeal unhurt. I must therefore say more of his private life than has thus far been revealed in this Memoir.

The private intercourse of Chief-Justice Taney with the officers and other officials of the Supreme Court deserves the first notice. It was such that they all had, and still have, and always will have, his praise upon their tongues. His very name warms their hearts and brightens their countenances. The memory of no father was ever cherished by his children with more affectionate reverence, than that of Chief

Justice Taney is this day by every officer of the Supreme Court who was there when he presided over its deliberations. And such was the charm of his manner that every newly-appointed officer was, at his very first interview with the Chief Justice, brought to regard him with affectionate reverence. Soon after the death of the Chief Justice, Mr. Lamon, who had been appointed Marshal of the Supreme Court by President Lincoln, remarked to me: "Chief-Justice Taney was the greatest and best man I ever saw. I never went into his presence on business that his gracious courtesy and kind consideration did not make me feel that I was a better man for being in his presence." I said, "Your experience is that of every officer about the Court. Mr. Meehan, the Librarian, has often, when I have been in the library, come from the presence of the Chief Justice, and said, 'What a glorious old gentleman the Chief Justice is! He always treats me in such a way as to increase my respect for myself.""

That a man of such an iron will, such determined purpose, such undaunted courage, and all the heroic elements of character, should have such a delicate sentiment of kindness manifested in his courtesy, has always been a subject of observation by those who knew the Chief Justice best. Its source was his charity of heart and his high breeding.

It was, for some years, the custom of the Judges of

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