The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-05
SUPREME COURT UNITED STATES
TnuRspAY, pecember 4, 1916.

SUPREME COURT UNITED STATES
TnuasBAY, December 4, lS45.
Present yesterday.
At the opening of the court this morning, Mr.
Mason, the Attorney General Of the United States,
addressed the court as follows
May il please your honors: Since your last term,
the senior associate justice of this has depart
ed this life At a meeting of the members of the
bar and officers of the court, held yesterday re-
solutions were adopted expressive Of their venera-
ton for the memory of the deceased, and of their
sense of the loss which has been sustained by the
court, the profession, and the country. They have
done me the honor TO impose on me the melancholy
task Of communicating their proceedings to the
bench.
am but too sensible Of the disadvantages under
which labor, in acquitting myself in this presence
of the duty thus conhded TO me. had not the ad-
vantage of any intimate personal acquaintance with
Mr.. Justice Story; but he was known to me, as to
every lover of an enlightened jurisprudence, and to
every admirer of learning and purity in our magis-
tracy, through the fame which he had honorably
won and the light which he had shed on all the va
rous subjects Of professional learnpg-in his opin-
ions delivered from that BENCH and the works which
he published to the world.
AT the early age Of thirty-two years, lac was APP
pointed an associate justice Of this court In thirty
four years of service in his high Office, he acquitted
himself Of all responsible duties with dignity IN
tegrity, and learning, which proved him worthy Of
this exalted judicial tribunal.
He gave to the profession an example of success
full industry above all praise. 1t is wonderful that
he should have accomplished so much. UnfaiIing
in his attendance here participating largely in all the
learned labors which btar so oppressively on the
court, constant in the discharge of his judicial dus
ties in one of the most important circuits Of the
Union, he found time to instruct professor
large classes for many successive years. and to pre-
nd rnhlieb nj, of mad le1al
works than any other author. Yet, in the midst of
the severe and incessant studies which could alone
produce such results, he devoted to the enchant-
ing delights of elegant literature, and distin-
guished for his happy and cheerful domestic life,
and his spirited social intercourse. The learning
which he displayed jurist and author, extended
his fame to every country where an enlightened ju-
risprudence prevails; and the amable and Christian
character of the man has filed whole community
with grief at his death.
But your honors, with whom he associated for
period far beyond what falls TO the lot of most of
those who reach this elevated distinction, can best
appreciate his character judge, and his virtues
man, and will confirm the testimony of the gen.
temen whose proceedings now have the honor to
present:
SAT a meeting of the members of the bar. and
officers Of the Supreme Court of the United States,
at the court-roo, in the Capitol, the Sd day of
December, A. d. l845.
David B. Ogden, eeq, was appointed chairman,
and the Hon. Geo. M. Bib secretary.
The Hon. John Davis, the Hon. George Evans,
and the Hon. R. G.. Winthrop, were appointed a
committee to prepare resolutions expressive Of the
sentiments and feelings of the meeting on the mel
ancholy event Of the recent death Of the Honorable
Joseph Story, one Of the associate justices Of the
Supreme Court Of the United States
Whereupon Mr.. Davis, in behalf Of the commit
tee appointed, presented the following preamble
and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted
by the meeting:
Since tile last annual session oft Supreme Court
of the United States, one Of its most distinguished
members has fallen victim 10 the lot of humanity.
The earthly career of that able and faithful Judge,
Joseph Story of Massachusetts,, has terminated;
and we trust that his exalted virtues win secure
rest to his spirit among those who are made per-
feet.
The bar has been deprived Of one Of its brightest
ornaments, and the bench of of its most learned
and illustrious members. Those who have long
Witnessed the pure example, and venerated the
talents, learning and untirng zeal of the deceased,
cannot permit an event solemn and affective to
pass unnotced Few men of any age or country
have left behind them stronger proofs of great and
successful labors in legal research, or higher
claims to public respect and gratitude. He ex-
plored, with extraordinary powers Of analysis, the
learning of the past-embodying and systematizing
those great principles Of jurisprudence which Illus
trae his decisions Judge, and give mperishable
value TO his works as an author.
As magistrate, he aimed to win esteem and
respect for the bench by the purity of his example,
and to inspire confidence in its decisions by a
prompt, just. enlightened, and faithful administra-
ton of the laws
In the midst of the urgent duties Of his high and
responsible staon--which were sufficient to task
more than ordinary mind--he found leisure to in
dulge his love of legal study, and produced series
of works which have taken rank among standard
authorities, and will carry his fame to posterity as
jurist of great accomplishments.
His decisions on the bench, well as the pro-
ductions Of his pen, prove alike the earnest zeal
with which his mental energies were applied to sus-
tam the constitution and laws of the republic and
the conscientious rectitude with which he dis
charged the great and complicated duties which de-
volved upon him.
While we feel Just pride in the attanments Of one
so distinguished as public officer and as an au-
thor, we cannot forget those extraordinary social
qualities, and that amiable department in private
quaintances. If, in his high public station he COM
manded the esteem and confidence of the public. in
the ordinary duties Of life he won and retained thc
respect and love all who were connected with MIN
in the varied relations in which he stood to the
community.
When SO pure and SO illus,rious a man descends
TO the tomb while his usefulness is unimpaired and
his work unfinished, the calamity is the more Sc
veTely felt, and the occasion fit one for his be-
reaved friends and the public to give utterance to
nelr grief ana TO TESTIFY their veneraon and
for the memory Of the deceased
Therefore resolved: !. That we hold in the highest
estimation the learning, the integrity the distin-
gused services and the exalted virtues of the late
Jude Story, and deeply deplore the loss which the
bench and the country have sustained by the death
of one so emnently qualified for the high station
which he filed.
=. That we sympathize with his bereaved family
in their affection, who mourn the loss of an aec-
tionate husband, kind parent, and good citizen.
3. That from respect to the memory Of him who
has filed so large space in the affairs of the coun
try, we will, during the present session Of the court,
wear the usual badge Of mourning
4. That these resolutions be communicated to the
court by the Attorney General, with request that
they may be entered upon the records and, further
that they be communicated to the family of the de-
ceased by the chairman of this meeting.
DAVID b. OGDEN chairman.
Gro M. BrBB, secretary"
To which Chief Justice TANEr replied:
1t difficult for me to express how deeply the
Il Al l.