principal occupation is 'looking into everything and seeing nothing.' Every attempt at the removal from the national canvas, of the discoloration of slavery, will be sure to meet with the opposition of those who love its old faults.
"It was, I think, Milton who said, 'Long is the way and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.' The noisy, impotent, hot-brained sciolists of this generation, who have no reverence for the Constitution, require a scourge of merciless severity, for their pride and presumption are as great as their ignorance; but your work is independent of their judgment or their edicts. It is also, I think, within its legitimate province, if you discover their internal monitors asleep, to touch and awaken the slumberous consciences of those ministers of our state, who have sworn with their mouths but not with their hearts to support the Constitution; and remember that just in proportion as your work strengthens the hands of constitutional law, it tightens the cords which restrain despotic dominion. As your undertaking is in behalf of all races and classes, it deserves the gratitude, and in due season will reap the applause, of the nation."
"No honor," replied the student, "could be conferred on me, which I should value more highly than the kind consideration you have had the goodness to show me. I thank you heartily, sir, and I shall, so far as my poor ability extends, follow your instructions to the letter. I trust, indeed, the good fortune may be mine to meet you again in the near future. Until that time, I shall pray God to give you, for your own and your country's sake, strength and opportunity to continue to play well your great and noble part as Chief Justice of the United States."
