Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-01-08

Suc:i man--the wonder OF his own 40
" and the n,odel for all future ugcs--woul
IS a"ne stamp character of nuh meri,
(. and solid distinction, upon any person
I ihey would constitute apassport to pub
III favor, and confer an enviable rank "a
I beyond the records OF the hcrald's office
!, or the fugitive hono,s OF title.
, 1t is high praise 10 say, that Mr.. Jus
f: Use Washington well deserved such COZ.
, ildcncc and distinction. Nay more. Hi:
merits went Car beyond them. lie wa:
as worthy an heir as ever claimed kindred
with worthy ancestor. He was bied tt
the law III his native State of Virginia
and arrived at such early commence in his
profession, that! as long ago as 1913 he
WAS selected by President Adams as a
Justice OF the Supreme Court, upon the
dccease oil the late Judge Wilson, of Penn
sylvan'a. For thirty one years he has
hc!d that important stallion with con-
stant!y Increasing reputation and useful
ness. Few men, indeed, have possessed
higher qualifications ioI the office, either
natural or acquired. Few men, have
lett deeper traces III their Judicial career
OF every thing which conscientious Judge
ought to propose for his ambition or his
virtue or his glory. His mind was solid,
rather than brilliant sagacious and
searching, rather than quick or eager :;
slow but not torpid steady, but not UNI
yielded comprehensive, and at'ihe same
time cautious patient in Inquiry, forcible
IN conception, clear in reasoning. He
was by original temperament mild, con-
ciliatlng, and candid and yet was re-
markable for an uncompromiSng lirmness.
Ot him 1t may be truly said, that the fear
OF man never tell upon him it never en-.
tered into his thoughts, much less was it
seen IN his actions. In HIM the love of
justice was the ruling passion it was the
Inaste: spring OF all his conduct. He
made tia matter OF conscience to dis
charge every duty with sscrupuous zeal.
1t mattered not whether the duty were
small or great, witnessed by the world, or
performed in private every where the
same diligence, watchiulncss, and peryad
ing sense of justice were SEEM There
was about him tenderness of giving Of
fence, and yet iearlessness of conse-
quences III his official character, which
scarcely known how to pourtray. 1t was
rare combination, which added much
to the dignity of the bench, and made
justice Itself, even when mQst severe, sof-
ten into the moderation of mercy. 1t
gained confidence when it seemed least
To seek It, 1t repressed arrogance by
oveIawIng or conio!nding it.
/ To say, that as Judge he was wise,
impartial and honest, is but to attribute to
HIM those qualifications, without which
the hours OF the bench are but the means
OF public disgrace or contempt His
honesty was deep vital principle, not
measured out by worldly rules. His i'm
Partially was "a virtue OF his nature, dis
ciplined and instructed by constant re-
| lection upon the infirmity and accounta-
bility OF man. Ills wisdom was the wis-
dom OF the Law, chastened and refined
and invigorated by study, guided by expe-
renee, dwelling little on theory, but con-
stantly enlargug itself by a close survey
ofprnciples.
lie was learned Judge. do not
mean by this, that every day learning,
which may be gathered up by hasty
reading Of books and case but that which
IS the Iess,l' OF long continued, laborious
services, aud comprehensive studies. He
read to learn, and not to quote to digest
and Mas er, and not merely to display.
lie was lot easily satisfied. If he was not
as profound as some, lie was more exact
than most men. But the value of his
learning was, that IT was the keystone OF
all his judgements. He INDUCED not the
rash desire 10 fashion the law to his own
views, but to follow out its precepts with
la sincere good faith and simplicity.
Hence he possessed the happy faculty OF
yielding Just the proper weight to author
iy neither on the one hand surrender
ing himself bludfold to the dictates OF
other Judges, nor on the other hand over
ruling settled doctrines upon his own pri-
vie notion of policy or Justice. In short,
as Magistrate he was exemplary and a.
Die, one whom all may reverence, and
but few may hope TO equal
But, after all, il is as a man that those
who know him best will most love TO con-
template him. There was daily beauty
in his life which won every heart. He
was benevolent, charitable, afFectionate
and liberal. in the best sense Of tis terms
He was a Christian full ofreligious sensj.
bility, and religious humIIty.-Attacbec
to the Episcopal church by education
J and choice, he was one Of its most inccrt
! but unostcntatious friends. lie was a!
free irombIgotry as any man and, at TIE
: same time that he claimed The right L
! think for himself, he admitted, wit,on
\ ,eserye tire same ripht i'm others ~ TI
} was, therefore, indulgent even TO what III
Ldsemed crror9 IN doctrine, and abhoue