Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-09-30
TRIRI1TE OLE RESPECT


vile, on Tuesday, the 22d of September, 1858
for the purpose of expressing their appreciation
and respect for the distinguished public service,
and personal character of the Hon. CHsRIEs
+. KEITH, Judge of the third Judicial Circu
of Tennessee, who is now about retiring upon
his voluntary retirement from the bench the
following proceedings were had.
On motion Of Col. John C. Gaut, Thos. C
Lyon, Esq, was elected Chairman of the meet
ing, and James NJ. Welcker, requested to act as
Secretary;whereupon Col. James A. Whitesdes
presented to the meeting, and moved the adop
ton of the following preamble and resolution
which being read and seconded, were unanimous
ly adopted.
The American citizen who loves his country
its constitution and laws, can, in contemplation
Of Our past history, reflect with just pride
upon the purity of the tribunals of justice and
the incorruptibility Of our Judges. Although
every American constitution provides for i'm.
parchment of those officers, if they display par.
TALLY or corruption in the discharge of their
tory, in which such prosecutions have been in
stituted and still more rare in which they have
been successful. Contrasted with the tyranny
which, for centuries prevailed in England, where
Judges held their Offices at the pleasure of the
crown, aud hre too often the myrmidons OF
power, American Judges NAV be considered as
having approached perfection in the dispense.
ton of justice nearly as it is possible for hui
man wisdom and human frailty to attain it.
So long as the judiciary shall Continue to be
pure and without reproach, SO long viii civil
liberty continue; bat if ever the fountains of
justice are tainted and corrupted, we may bid
FAREWELL long farewell to the CHERISHED
theory of mans capacity for enlightenment.
The American bar, from a perioI caeval with
our revolution have been the steadfast friends OF
liberty. Lawyers were concerned in preparing
and FORMULATING the Declaration OF lndepen-
dence. LAWYERS were conspicuous in forming
the great character Of our liberies-the Con-
stitution of the United States-and have been
instrumental in framing every state constitution;
and as Judges and legislators have ever regar-
ded, with watchfu jealousy, the rights Of the
people. And it is in consequence of their high
appreciation of the independence of the jndi-
ciary in its connection with the great cause of
human liberty and Of their anxiety to preserve
antarnished the freedom we enjoy, that the
usage has long prevailed among them of ex-
pressing upon the death, or retinment from the
bench, of meritorous judicial officers, their
opinions of the manner in which they have dis
/ charged their duties, not only because the plau-
! dit, "wel done thou good and faithful servant"
/ is grateful in itself but because such tributes
of respect are calculated to excite in the pro-
fession, and especially among the junior mem
bers of the bar, an honorable and noble ambi-
! ton
! Awaiting ourselves of time honored custom,
the members of the East Tennessee bar now in
attendance upon the Supreme Court, deem the
retirement the Hon.CF Keith from the bench
of the judicial circuit, an appropriate occasion
upon which very briefly to express their sense
of the manner in which he has discharged his
duty.
Born in the State of Virginia, on the 22nd of
November, 1854, he emigrated to This State in
1899, and returning to his native State TO pursue
the study of the law, he permanently settled in
Tennessee, in the year 1904, and has resided
here ever since Twice member Of our Leg
islature, he was elected in 1920, Judge of the
Circuit Court and has held that Office, with the
exception of four years, by various reflections
for nearly thirty-three years, being the oldest
judicial officer in the State, and having passed
''three-score years and ten,' he has voluntarily
resigned it. This simple statement otfacts Is his
own highest eulogy. No man could hold office
thus long under the constitution Of this State,
who was not eminertly worthy Of public conf
dence, and who did not, in high degree, COM
mand the respect and venerati0n Of the BAR
Sharing, in good degree, the talents and pos
sessing all the frmness and independence of
his distinguished relative, Chief Justice Mar
shall, he has worn the judicial ermine nearly rs
long. Never did it adorn a purer or more faith
full and incorruptible public servant.
As a mark of respect for his talents ard long
continued and highly satisfactory public service,
it is therefore,
ReSo!red, That the members of the East
Tennessee bar tender Judge Keith their cordi
al thanks for his uniform kindness and courte-
sy while presiding as a judicial officer; their
sincere respect for the dignity, impartiaity
and firmness with which he has discharged his
duties, and their earnest desire that in the re-
tirement Of old age, he may be as tranquil and
happy as he has been useful and respectable
upon the theatre of action.
On motion of VIM. G. Swan, Esq, which be-
ing seconded by T. A. R. Nelson, Esq, it was
resolved that the conductors of the several pa
pers of the city be respectfully requested to
publish these proceedings.
On motion of John C. Ramsey, Esq., the
Secretary was requested to furnish the Hon.
Charles F. Keith with copy of the proceed
;ngs of this meeting.
On motion of Robt. NJ. Barton, Esq, the
meeting adjourned sine die.
t. c. LYON, Chm.
j. NJ. WELcKER, Sect'y.
rBOm Half Ri1ht"-Sam Lathrop saws he