The New Chief-justice

The country will be deeply interested in learning the personal history of one thus suddenly baought forward as the head of the Federal Jodiciary. Mr. Waite is the son of the late Henry M. Waite, of Lyme, Conn., where he was born in 1K16, making him nov in tho Ó8th year of his age. Hia t'ather was one of the leading jurists in New England, hnving tor 30 years been a Judge of the Supreiue Court of Connecticut, fot a large portion of that time acting as Chief-Justice, with marked ability and great acceptance, retiring ouly at the age of 0,3 years, the period liniited by law. When 17 yoara of age Mr. Waite entered Yale College, and graduated with honor at 22, having been the class-mate of William M. Evarts and Edwards Pierrepont. Upon graduating hu canie West, arriving in Toledo in 18:j8, and soon entered as u law student the office of Samuel M. Young, Esq„ then a prominent Attoruey at Maumee City, and now a citizen oi Toledo, with whom he became assoeiated in practice, the relation continuing 18 years, and until 1856, when, Mr. Young retiring from praotice, Mr. Waite formed a partnership with his brother Richard, whieh still exista, ho having in the moantime removed to Toledo. In 1840, Mr. W. wasuiarried with Miss Amelia C. Warner, of Lymo. From his advent in pratice, Mr. W's. course was staruped with auccesa. No youug man in this aection more fully distinguished himself for ability and atudious habita, while his personal relations contributed largely to his popularity. - From tho tirst, the bent of his mind was firmly set upon his profession, from whioh no attractions could turn him. Frequently aolicited to accept positions of political nature, his uniform reply was, that hia ambition lay aolely in the line of hia profession, and he desirod nothing outside of that. Politically, Mr. Waite was what was at one time known as a " Henry Clay Whig," with which party he acted until its disbandrnent, since which time he has actod with the Republicana. He was alwaya too deeply engaged in hia profession to become much of a partisau, and consequently never oame to be recognized as a party leader. In fact, the conservativo turn of his mind tended to lead him in opposition to radical political nieasures, which was shown during the war in his support of the policy of Mr. Lincoln, rather than the more Anti-Slavery one of many leading Republicana. But to all the war ineasures of the Government he gave earnest and effective support, making himself specially useful in aiding tho reoruiting service of the ariny. So, too, of the coustruction meaaures of the Goverinent and especially of the three auiendments of the Oonstitution - they all meet his hearty concurrence, and will receive his official support in any caae that may arise. So far, then, as the great questions growing out of the war are concerned, Mr, Waite stands with President Grant and the Republican party. In 1849 Mr. Waite was electod to the Ohio Legislature, as a Whig, with his party in the minority, in which body he aerved with distinction. Iu 1850 he was a candidato for the State Constitutional Convention, being defeated in conaequonce of a docided Democratie majority in the district. He was a candidato for Congress in 1862, and although defeated, he received in Toledo a majority of 1,300, the most einphatic endorsement ever givon to any man by the people of this city. A seat on the Supreme Bench of Ohio has repentedly been tenderod to him, and on each occasion declined. On the organization of tho new Circuit Court of the United States, the name of Mr. Waite was presented to the President for appointment, backed by the unanimoua endorsement of the Ohio Legialature, the State officers, the Ohio delegation in Congresa, and leading mombors of the principal Bars of tho State ; but owing te the fact that Ohio then had Iwo mombera of the Supreme Court (Judges Chase & Swayne,) the appointineut was deemed improper. What has chiefly contributed to Mr. W's national reputation, is hia successful and conspicuous service as Counsel at the Gennva Arbitratiou, for which honorable and responsible position he waa chosen without even his knowledge of the existence of such a placo. lt Í3 not necessary here to review the brilliant record made on that occasion. Upon the choice, last April, of memboxs of a new Constitutional Convention, Mr. Waite was unaniinously nominated by both parties aa one of the delegates" from Lucas County, and was elected President of that body, in which position, as in every other place of trust, he has displayed the qualitiea which have given hiin success on all occasions. Mr. Waite is euiinently a lawyer, without ambition, except for such distinction as might como of f ai th f al and honorable pursuit of that profesaion. As a practitioner, no man ever stood higher at the Bar or with parties. In all his intercourse and action, he has displayed a uniformity of integrity and manly justice, which has imtrked him as thoroughly honest as a lawyer, and which now givea assurance of the upright Judge. The present appointment finds biiu in the very prime of matured manhood, with a sound physical constitution and habits of professional labor which justify the expectation of many yeara of useful service. We feel every assnrance that he will not disappoint the high expectations which hi8 new position will so justly warrant. His fellow-citizens of Toledo and of Ohio higUly appreciate the honor conferred on them by this appointment, and do not doubt that it will be justified in the faithf ui and able service of him through whom they are honored.