arded
the authority of his government he began to realize the rottenness of
such a foundation, and when it came to the purchase of Louisiana, his
doctrine had to be stretched, and he finally became convinced, as he
expressed it, that the Government must show its teeth.

On July 4th, 1826, at a little past noon, he died, a few hours before
his political opponent, but fast friend, John Adams. How strange to
think that about that hour fifty years before they had each signed the
declaration of the freedom of the country which they had so ably served.
The granite for his monument lies unquarried nor is its erection needed.
The Declaration of Independence is a far greater monument than could be
fashioned from brass or stone.

JOHN MARSHALL.

America has been bountifully blessed with great and good men. Washington
'The father'--I was about to say--'founder of his country'; Jefferson
who taught us the beauty of plain dress but rich manners; Hamilton who
placed a tottering treasury upon a strong foundation,--Great indeed were
all of these, but there was born in Fouquier county, Virginia, on the
24th day of September, 1755, a child who was to be known to all
posterity as the great Chief Justice of the United States. This was John
Marshall.

He was the eldest of a family of fifteen children. In early boyhood he
took an interest in poetry and was perfectly familiar with Dryden, Pope,
Milton and Shakespeare. He was for many years full of dreamy romance and
poetical enthusiasm, and his solitary meditations were usually amid the
wildest scenery.

After a short college course at West Moreland, where he had as a
fellow-student James Monroe, and a further classical education under a
resident clergyman; he, at eighteen, began the study of law, but
enlisted to fight the British before he obtained a license to practice.
He soon took a part with his regiment, of which his father was major, in
the battle of Great Bridge leading, as lieutenant, in a flanking party
which advanced in the face of a murderous fire and put an end to the
engagement.

He belonged to the Culpepper Minute-men, who wore green hunting shirts
with "Liberty or Death" on the bosom in white letters, and who carried
a banner which displayed a coiled rattlesnake with the motto, "Don't
tread on me." He took a part in the battle of Brandywine, Germantown and
Monmouth; he shared the hardships of Valley Forge; in fact saw almost
continuous service from the time he