The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-11
SUPREME COURT UNITED STATES.
WEDNESDAY,, January 10, 1874.

"WEDNESDAY, January III, 1914.
On the opening Of the Court this morning, Mr..
NELSON, the Attorney General of the United States
made the following remarks;
"1he proceedings of the members of the Bar and
the Officers of this Court held the 9th instant have
been placed in my hands this morning, with request
that would communicate them 10 your honors.
"They designed to express the sentiments Of
profound regret and sorrow with which the recent
death of Mr.. Justice THOMPSON has impressed those
who have adopted them to testify their admiration
Of his ability, integrity, and fidelity Judge, and
Of his urbanity, dignity, and virtues as man
Z" A large portion Of the life of the deceased, as
your honors aware, was dedicated TO the dis
charge of the high duties of the Bench, of which, for
thirty seven years, he was an honorable incumbent
As early April, 1902 he look his seat in the Su-
preme Court OF his native State by the side Of Lewis,
and Kent and Radcliffe, and Livingston; and when,
in 1914 Chief Justice Kent was transferred TO the
Court Of Chancery, Justice THOMPSON called 10
preside over the deliberations OF tribunal whose re-
putation is familiar to every American lawyer, and
whose decisions, reported by Mr.. Johnson, have
largely contributed 10 lay, deep and broad, the oun-
datops Of American Jurisprudence.
" From this sphere Of eminent usefulness he was
Withdrawn in 1919, when, by the invitation Of MIR.
Nc nroe then President of the United States, he
sumed the direction Of the Department OF the Navy
whence, in 1873, he was translated 10 this Court.
prom that time to the period Of his DEATH full
twenty years, he aboriously fulfilled all the obligs-
tons Of his elevated station which is no cxaggcra-
ton TO say he illustrated and adorned-distnguished
as he was for every thing that can give title 10
reverence
"Of the assiduity, the patience, the energy, and
inglepcss Of purpose with which he discharged his
arduous duties here Il does not become speak in
this presence. or all these your bonors are the wit
nesses; whilst Of his genius his attainments and his
intellectual vgor ths recorded Judgments of tbs TN
buna during The whole period of bis distinguished
service furnish the impcrishabe aktestsitop,
"A lust appreciation Of his qua cations and BIG b
claims by those who have enjoyed the best oyyorunI.
y Of estimating thclr extent and magnitude, has dc
sted the tribute of his worth, inbod,ed ia The reso-
Court and respectfully move that they be entered up
on the minutes Of IFS proceedings; ...lH
AT meeting Of the Members Of the Bar Of tie Su-
preme Court Of the United acs and Of the officers
Of the Court, at the Court room 10 the Capitol, on
the 9th day Of January, A. ID. 1874, the Hon. Dan.
Ill WERrrn was appointed Chairman, and the Hon
SILAs WRIcur Secretary
| "Gen. WALTER JoNrs, DAVID b. OopfN, and
JOSH SARoEAnr, Esqrs. were appointed comipte,
TO prepare resolutions expressive of the sentiments
and feelings Of the meeting on the melancholy event
of the recent death Of the Hon. SHIrH THOMPSON
one of the Associate Justices Of the Supreme Cour
of the United States.
Whereupon Gen. WALrsR yoNgs, on behalf o
The committee appointed presented the following
preamble and resolutions which unanimousl
| anoPted ny 'he meeOoR
1.-THE Members Of ,he Bar and officers OF the Su
preme Court Of the United States having sssea,bIee
give public and sincere testimony OF their sens.
OF the loss which they, in common with this Cour
and the country, have sustained BY the death O
SMsra THoMPsos one Of the Associate Justice o
the Court, and public expression Of their affection
reverence for the memory Of citizen dis,inc
cd in the grateful respect Of his country for long con
linued xealous, and cmnenty useful services In III,
important stations both judicial and executive, I,
which the general confidence in his ability and SPOT
loss integrity had called him. and cnJesred to The AT
cctops Of hi. friends less by his private than hi
public v,ucs--hy the admirable qualities OF his hear
than Of his mind; this meeting, being assemble.
under the influence Of sIlpervsdinQ sentiment
whilst conscious how mad, qusleiy that sentimen
can he expressed by any Onward token Of respec
now in their power to manifest, have adopted The fol
lowing resolutions.
~. That the members Of this mesting wear tbs
\ customary badge OF mourning during the present
term Of the Court. IIlT
80. That the Chairman and Secretary commnni-
cate cory of these proceedings to the family Of the
deceased, accompanied BY TIA ssamascs Of the con.
aoence Of the members OF this meeting in the heavy
sAiction with which they have been visited.
80 That be Attorney 0enerpl be requested, in
b~hs'f Of this messing to present these proceedings