Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-08

marks of respect from such man,--the
wonder of his own age, and the model fol
all futurs ages,-would alone stamp char
acter of high merit, and solid distinction
upon any person. They would constitute q
passport to public favour, and confer an en-
yiable rank far beyond the records Of the
heralds Office, or the fugitive honours of o
title.
i It is high praise to say, that Mr.. Justice
Washington well deserved such confidence
and distinction. Nay more. HIS merits
went far beyond them. He was as worthy
an heir as ever claimed kindred with wor-
thy ancestor. He was bred to the Law in
his native State of Virginia, and arrived al
such early eminence in his profession, that
as long ago as 1898 he was elected by Presi-
dent Adams as Justice of the Supreme
Court upon the decease of the late Judge
Wilson, of Penn. For thirty-one years he
has held that important station with con-
stantly increasing reputation and usefulness.
Few men, indeed, have possessed higher
qualifications for the Office, either natural or
acquired. Few men have left deeper traces
in their Judicial career Of every thing, which
conscientious Judge ought to propose Tor
his ambition or his virtue, or his glory. His
mind was solid, rather than brilliant; saga
cious and searching, rather than quick or
eager; slow, but not torpid steady, but not
lunyielding comprehensive and at the same
time cautious; patient in inquiry, forcible in
conception, clear in reasoning. He was by
original temperament, mild, conciliating, and
candid and yet was remarkable for an un-
compromising frmness. Of him it may be
LIT ~ of Toll
upon him; itnever entered into his thoughts,
much less was it seen in his actions. In him
the love of justice was the ruling passion !;
it was the master spring of all his conduct.
He made it matter of conscience to dis
charge every duty with scrupulous fidelity,
and scrupulous zeal. 1t mat tered not, whe-
Their the duty were small or great, witnessed
by the world, or performed In private, every
where the same diligence, watchfuluess,
and pervading sense of justice were seen.
There was about him tenderness of giving
offence, and yet fearlessness of consequent
ces in his official character, which scarce
ly know how to portray. 1t was rare COM
bination, which added much to the dignity
of the bench, and made justice ITSELF even
when most severe, soften into the modera-
ton of mercy. 1t gained confidence, when
it seemed least to seek it. 1t repressed ar
rogance by overawing or confounding it.
To say, that as Judge he was wise, i'm
partial, and honest, is but to attribute to him
those qualifications without which the honors
of the bench are out the means of public
disgrace or contempt. His honesty was a
deep vital principle, not measured out by
worldly rules. His impartiality was virtue
of his nature, disciplined and instructed by
constant reflection upon the in6rmity, and
accountability of man. His wisdom was the
wisdom of the law, clastened and refined
and invigorated by study, guided by expe-
rience, dwelling little on theory, but con-
stantly enlarging itself by close survey of
principles.
He was a learned Judge. do not mean
by this, that every dag learning, which may
be gathered up by hasty reading of books
and cases. But that, which is the result of
long continued, laborious services, and COM
prehensive studies. He read to learn, and
not to quote to digest and master, and not
merely to display. He was not easily salts
fed. If he was not as profound as some, he
was more exact than most men,. But the
value of his learning was, that it was the
key stone of all his judgments. He indul-
ged not the rash desire to fashion the law
to his own views; but to follow out its pre-
cepts with sincere good faith and simplici-
ty. Hence he possessed the happy faculty
of yielding just the proper weight to au-
thority, neither on the one hand surrender
ing himself blindfold to the dictates of other
Judges, nor on the other hand oyerruling
settled doctrines upon his own private no.
ton Of policy or justice.
In short, as a Magistrate, he was exem-
plary, and able, one whom all may rever-
ence. and but few may hope to equal.
But after all, it is as man that those who knew
him best will most love to contemplate him.
There was daily beauty in his life, which won ev-
cry heart. He was benevolent, charitable, affec-
Tomato and liberal in the best sense of the terms.
He was Christian, full Of religious sensibity, and
religious humility. Attached to the Episcopal
church by education and choice, he was one of its
most sincere, but unostentatous friends. He was
as free from bigotry as any man; and at the same
lime that he claimed the right to think for himself,
he admitted without reserve the same right in 9TH
ers. He was, therefore, indulgent even to what he
deemed errours in doctrine, and abhorred all perse-
cutionf for conscience sake But what made religion
most attractive in him. and gave it occasionally ev-
en- sublime expression, was its tranquil cheerful,
unobtrusive. meek. and gentle character. There
showed that the habit Of his thoughts was fashioned
for another and better world. of his particular
opinions doctrnal points, it is not my intention
to speak. Such as they were, though good men may
differ, to their correctness, all must agree that
they breathed the spirit Of an inqusitiye christian
!. Ia Was assal lover Of the Constitution Of the
United States; one Of those who assisted in its adj
option, and steadily and uniformly supported it
through every change of its fortunes. He was
good oldfashoned Federalist, of the school of the
days Of Washington. He never lost his confidence
in the political principles which he first embraced.
He was always distinguished for moderation in the,
days of their prosperity and for fidelity to them in
the days Of their adversely
have not said too much, then, in saying, that
such man ID publick loss. We are not, indeed,
called to mourn over him, as one who is cut off
prematurely in the vigour of manhood. He was
ripe in hononrs, and in virtues. But the departure
of such man sewers so many ties, interrupts so
many delights, withdraws so many condolences, and
leaves such an aching void in the hearts of friends,
and such sense of desolation among associates,
that while we bow to the decree of Providence, our
grefs cannot but pour themselves out in sincere la
.