The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-05
DEATH on JyaE eHcHRlsr. !

Inc non Moh'somosy Dssai s"''eS 0's'es Soi's''
announced the death oil Judge eilchfst ~ follows
NAV II please the court Since the last session Of this
court the death OF the Hon j lchrist late presiding
nudge of this court has been annouhcoslpto the pul,c
To give expression to their feelings ON this and
sal event meeting of thu lsll and sAyrs of this court
was held in the court room this morning aud r,solu
tons expressive OF their sncerc regret and
tive Of the learning and virtues OF our departed friend were
suIopted and my brethrcn have honored me with the
duty of bringing their proceedings the knowledge OF
the court and requesting that they may lie rccortexi
among Its proceedings. hsfH al
IN ~" po'.1''s o 'o'" anu ''AN'i's '."s
~ ,, .,;.,,v o.,s,.s 4, 49,. ,.,,sns s,,,s,,, n,i
ths urar;,oous voice ri the har have i ,no,
our ,.sai T.; ttsaa rn,vea II tls ,.s;., rers
aporiste INV fee,ines would ponp me 10 ena,ae upon
thos oaljties of hs mind and character which have won
from ma this fsxt trbute m he was not les
Inv tI,. lea,o;ny and ability 20 suitably ,onmeworsted
IN tbes. resolves than nv The kndliness of feeling and
snanitv o manner which enpsued the affections Of those
witl,~whom il was his fortune to he associated but
will only make single remark upon the patience and
,orarance displayed by him whilst associated in your
lshos n il dicult for those who have never bee mt
t ths ordeal h annyIa the merit ~ ctv,,,, a., after,
tive and patient hearing To all sides OF case and holding
the Judgment in reserve til the argument is closed
Nothig hut the love of iustice and "A disn sitiop 10
make that The principle or his action could
tx IN. mind ipon the sometimes tedious and unnterest
ing Efforts Of counsel and make IL keen pace with the
movements of other minds OF an Interior order But
the ends of i,stce cannot he obtained except by this
means and the remark able degree OF patience exhibited
by Judge Glcrst his Willingness all 10 hear
and 10 consider the most minute details brought his
attention and the gracious manner which he bore TO all
snitos whilst honorable to his feelings man. gave
new usre and dignity TO his judicial character All
who hear me- / am sure although they may have been
sometimes disappointed in his decisions in their eases
will concce that listened their arguments with
attention that evinoed desire comprehend and weigh
them fully and that his Judgments, whether for on
against them did not result from not hay ing considered
The case
n, a., - p, ;,,; ,l..l A., p, =; ,,, A., g.,
' ie
lowing ie'hai@s'
May ii please your honors The advent of Judge Gil
christ TO this city, 10 share with you the labOis OF
ly-orgunized court the commencement Of my
quaintanoc with him The brief period which he
permitted to remain amongst long enough to
ripen that acquaintance into friendship There was IA
frankness and unreserve Of which permitted
his associates read the character Of the
man Under these circumstances my feelings prompt
add something OF tribute of respect to his
ory while my judgment fully verhcs the praise
in which his character has been portrayed in the reso-
tions before your
Judge Gchrist was distinguished not only lawyer,
but in still greater degree ly those high qualities which
uero necessary the discharge the and respon
sibIe duties appertainng to a Judge of this court He
possessed in an eminent degree enlarged and liberal
lied mind The technicalities of the law he regarded
less for themselves than as the BY which the JUS
pyng as this court does its present anomalous relation
by which judicial decisions are subjected to iqisix re-
view he discharged all his judicial functions On the spirit
Of true nominees which knew no fear but the fear OF
doing wrong Less than this should never be said and
more cannot be ia praise Of any Judge
10 the judicial attainments which adorn the Judge
Judge Gilcrist added also those which grace the scholar
The moments OF leisure snachcd from the labors Of the
bench devoted to the cultivation Of the classics and
the pursuit OF general literature Some of his last days
of health passed in the translation of fayorito
Latin poem ~ s@
But it is needless, may it please your honors, 10
large upon the merits Of the deceased, for you knew
him still more intimately than did His general flow
Of spirits his nnbroken patience his inexhaustibc good
nature, deed enmy and left no place even for indit
ference
the communication Of his eminent medical attendant and
friend made few days ago. that bis death was but "a
question of time question OF time! How well and
how truly might we genefalize the application to all
OF those who are left to mourn the dead! few years
few months peichance Few daysand TINS may DE SAIL
of each and all Of us AT the cradle tho great procession
of life is formed and to the grave 1t marches with sure
and steady step which knows no turning, and this ques
tion Of time marks for each the brief duration of life
10 the survivors 1t is, however consolation to
know that the dcathbed of the deceased was surrounded
by the consoling influences and attentions OF family and
friends and that he parted from life without pain and
apparently without struggle
/" Like shadow thrown
Softly aud swecty from passing cloud,
psa'n 'ei' nioh nun
While ON earth we sorrowfully pronounce our last
farewell may we not trust that for him the Joyous
notes Of welcome ringing In the Courts OF Heaven
My last monrnful duty il to express my concurrence
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