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The Green Bag.

probably be traced to the time when the guagc is used when we say that there is no first court was held at the point of first set official position of more importance. In tlement at Marietta? It is recorded in his dividual rights rest more largely in the tory that the opening of the first court at hands of judges than elsewhere. There are Marietta was an event of great moment, and the executive, legislative, and judicial de attended with display and ceremony. It partments of government. Of the three, was on the 2d day of September, 1788, the judicial power is in many ways supreme. The power exercised by the executive,

when the vicinity of the little pioneer settle ment was a barren wilderness, and Indians federal or state, sinks into insignificance as were plentiful. De compared with that spite the fact that of the judiciary. This view finds support in there was not suffi an historical incident cient cleared space to in another state. hold a procession, the sturdy and proud old Judge Gaston, once a settlers did not pro noted judge of the pose to be thwarted Supreme Court o f North Carolina, for in their purpose. They cut a path whose character and through the forest to attainments Chief Campus M a r t i u s Justice Marshall had Hall, where the court such regard that he was held, through was often heard to which the procession say that he would of proud settlers willingly resign, if by marched. It consist so doing he could ed of the high sheriff secure the appoint with drawn sword, ment of Judge Gaston citizens, members of in his stead, was so the b ar, supreme licited by the domi nant party of his state judges, and common pleas judges. The to become United Indians were inter States Senator. This ested spectators of he declined upon the RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS this wonderful inci ground that the du dent, and were so much pleased with the ties of the post he then filled were " as appearance of the high sheriff with his drawn important to the public welfare as any ser sword that they called him "Hetuck," mean vices which I could render in the political ing in their language the eye of a buck, station to which you invite me." History which was reversed, calling it " Buckeye." tells of two instances, at least, where the And thus originated the soubriquet now governmental executive and legislative applied to the state. branches have assumed supreme power; but A few suggestions upon the importance in peaceful times their acts, when found ne cessary, are controlled by the judiciary. The of the judicial office may not be inappro priate. A lawyer devoted to his profession American executive, legislative, and judicial would, as a rule, rather occupy it than an departments are peculiar to this country, executive position. No extravagant lan- and unlike other governments, are separated