The President's Friend ...

Last May, William Rehnquist became the third sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to speak at Dartmouth. The first was Salmon P. Chase, Dartmouth class of 1826, and the second was Melville Weston Fuller, whose grandfathers had gone to Dartmouth.

Rehnquist's connection to the College is his friendship with James O. Freedman, who introduced the Chief Justice before a full house in Spaulding Auditorium.

The president first met Justice Rehnquist a decade ago when they taught together at the Salzburg Seminar in American Studies. During a three-week session, Freedman said, "I had the privilege of attendingjustice Rehnquist's lectures on American constitutional law and of joining him in teaching a seminar on the American criminal justice system. I saw him with students, in the classroom, in the dining hall, and at social occasions—an experience that left me deeply impressed by the depth of his intellect and the strength of his character." When Rehnquist was nominated for Chief Justice in 1986, Freedman testified in his favor before Congress—an act that got the president in some hot water among members of the left at the University of lowa.

The Chief Justice readily returned the favor when his friend invited him up to Hanover for the celebration of the publication of Daniel Webster's papers. Below is an excerpt of Rehnquist's speech—which, he assured his audience, he wrote himself. Ed.

Chief Justice and friend on the stoop of Freedman's house.