"The Honorable the Supreme Court of the United States!"
Nearly
every week-day during the winter months, exactly at noon, these warning
words, intoned in a resonant and solemn voice, may be heard by the
visitor who chances to pass the doors of the Supreme Court Chamber in
the Capitol of the United States. The visitor sees that others are
entering those august portals, and so makes bold to step softly inside.
If
he has not waited too long, he finds himself within the chamber in time
to see the nine justices of our highest court, clad in long, black
robes, file slowly into the room from an antechamber at the left.
Every
one within the room has arisen, and all stand respectfully at
attention, while the justices take their places. Then the voice of the
court crier is heard again:
"Oyez, oyez,
oyez! All persons having business with the Supreme Court of the United
States are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the
court is now sitting."
Then, after a slight pause:
"God save the United States and this honorable court!"
The
justices seat themselves; the attorneys at the bar and visitors do
likewise. The Supreme Court of the United States, generally held to be
the most powerful tribunal on earth, is in session.
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