Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-10
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.
REMARKS OF Jupor PnrsrIss In his Charge to The
Grand Jrry at the opening IF the Circuit Court
Of the United StltcS hOiden in this torn last ireek
upon Tie death and character Of the late JrpoE
PAINE.
In the absence of the presiding Judge of this Court
II devolves upon me to give you the customary
Charge. Heretofore in SIMILAR circumstances this
duty has been eiOrmed by one to whose place on
this Bench vacated by his own voluntary ACT while
living, have had the honor to succeed, hut who as
you know, is now more. Within one short month
after the venerable man to whom | lude resigned
the Office he had held here upwards of forty years
! he resigned and gave up his immortal spirit To God
who gave It. He resigned his office on the first OF
| April and his mortal remains Were committed to the
| bosom of the earth the first of Nav. Almost
simultaneous with mis- decease within the short
space of only two days after occurred the death of the
late Clerk of this Court-an officer who had oiIicia-
ed here with uniform urbanlty, uprightness and del-
Ity, for period exceeding thirty wears
These dispensations of Providence following each
other IN such quick succession, fall of instruction
to all connected with this court.
They form slngularly impressive admonon of
the uncertainty of human life, and teach us how
plain, how urgent in the duty Of regulating our con
duct, both public and private day by day, with con-
slant reference to the great and last change that
waits US all.
1t seems, Gentlemen, TO be exceedingly fit and pe-
cuary becoming TO tins occasion, 10 notice iii, Sc
solemn events and especially so, in view of the long
this Court, and the many acknowledged cxcellencies
and virtues they possessed
For the memory If the venerable Judge who sat
here for period approaching 10 near halt century,
we must ALL III common with the public in general.
feel profound re,pec He lived to the advanced age
ofeighty-ive years and he passed most of thar long
| space of time among the people of this state. He
emgraed and settled here IN the infancy of the state;
and at an early period in lis history he became pub
lie mana prominent public mnn-scrying in the
state legislature, IN conventions for revising and
| amending the state constitution and some time,
know not how long as Judge of the Supreme Court
| of the State. Subsequently, he was transferred 10
the national councils, being chosen by the Legislature
a Senator in Congress From the station of SEN
ator in Congress he transferred TO a seat on the
bench Of the District Court Of the United States for
| this district and in the capacity of Judge of that
court, he spent, you well know nearly half of his
long and useful life In all these various public sta.
tons he maintncd, throughout, an honorab, and in
dependent consistency of character that consisten-
| CIV which shows anolevatCd superiority 10 the Temp
atons otpower or gain. and which forms, as think,
one of the highest principles of public conduct.
The leading characteristic of this venerable man :
| mind was sound practical senses and that inclined
him always prefer and follow, most safe, the
sure and steady lights of experience rather than the
specous but often delusye speculatons oftheolists
While he was the friend Of real improvement, he was
ayerse TO all changes and innovations in our civil in
sttuons which appeared To him likely TO disturb the
settled order and arrangement OF society, without eff
fectng any substantial social or individual good This
rs have said, was prominent trait of his mind and
it was often very fully developed both IN his public
courseanIp his private conversation,
II shout not fail TO be ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS il IS
matter emphatically of the first impor ance in the
character of public man-that he was exemplary in
every relation Of life He had fall and just OF
moral obi CATION and he seemed at all times TO act
under It's controlling influence. He performed all
his duties with assiuous diligence with strict pune
iuaty and, | may add, with uncompromising fdel-
lty.
Wha strong natural understanding, improved by
an early classical education he united in bnself the
high virtues of absolute integrity and unwavering
firmness of purpose That integrity and frmness OF
purpose, combined with his intelligence and habual
equanmitv OF temperament constituted one of his
chief exceencies as Judge, and secured TO him. rs il
could not fail to do, entire confidence and respect
His lu 'clal department, you all know was I'M
eXcepuonabe. He seemed TO think and feel, as did
one of the ablest and most eminent Chancellors OF
England, that no man who acted Judge could
expect to be treated with respect himself unless he
showed respect TO others. Knowing ana unders-
landing well what was due from himself as Judge
ms well as what wa due himself as Judge ne al all
times observed such lust propneiy OF deHeanof mat
neither the Bar or the other otlcets oi ihe Court
neither Jurors, witnesses, OF su'"ls' eNeI nau i'.
Ia co,nplnn of want of courtesy, or proper respect
on his part I'll: :,o,,;a, No,o.
had Ears of being mede the victims ofnluslce or of
heinz deprived of any of their Just rights, through ms
means In short he an independent upright,
safe and useful Judge and have only 10 add that
III shall lie able 10 follow his example, TO succeed in
being guided by the same intelligence ana integrity OF
motive and in commanding the same general appro-
baton, / shall not fail TO accomplish all that can
reasonably desgrr, and MORE fear, than have any
To