Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-11-30

MENOlh OF CUDGE HENDEkSON.-IL Is oil butLlIdUlc
feature in the "North- Carolina University Maya
zine, !" that each successive No. contains Portrait
and Memoir Of some distinguished citizen Of the
State who, after performing well his part in his day
and generation has passed to his reward The sub
jiect for this month is the Hon. Leonard Henderson,
late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and it has
been with peculiar pleasure that we have read the
brief but admirable Memoir from the pen of Judge
Battle who was Judge Henderson's pupil in the
study Of the law. It brings up before the minds
eye the forms of many of the great men whom it has
been good fortune to know or to see as boy and
man, within nearly half century past. For in
stance, when the present Court was established in
1918, a position of such dignity and responsibility
with the highest salary ever paid in North Carolina
up to that time, brought forward for the Office the
names of John Louis Taylor, John Hall, Henry Sea-
we'll. Leonard Henderson, Archibald D. Murphy,
and Bartlett Yancey. What an array of talent! All
gone! The Memoir says of thcm,-
1.-The two first were then on the bench, and had
been continuously for about twenty years. Mr. Sea-
well had been elected Judge about five years be-
fore; was well known as man Of ability; and as
criminal lawyer reputed to be inferior to no man
in the State. Leonard Henderson had, only two
years previously. resigned his seat on the bench
Mr.. Murphy, with high reputation as an able law
yer and elegant scholar, had greatly distinguished
himself by seven years service in the State Senate
where he took leading part in every question con-
nected with the Internal Improvement of the State
and the extension of the benefits of education among
the people. Bartlett Yancey YVES equally well
known as a skilful aid successful advocate at the
bar and efficient and popular Speaker of the Sen
ate. Indeed as the presiding officer of delibera
tive body, it was said that he had, in the whole
country, very few equals and no superior unless
superior might be found in the person of Henry
Clay In addition to this strong array of names
that of Archibald Henderson was at first proposed
but was withdrawn it was ascertained that
his brother Leonard would he brought forward as
candidate The election was held on the 18th day
of December, 1918, and the first ballot resulted in
the choice of John Hall and Leonard Henderson,
John Louis Taylor was subsequently, after close
contest, elected the third Judge"
And then the bar which attended to argue causes
before this tribunal of which Judge Battle says
ut had no superior, and hardly an equal, in any
State of the Union The truth of this will readily be
acknowledged by those who read the names of Ar
chibald Henderson, William Castor. Thomas Rutfin
Moses Moriecai, Gavin Hogg, Joseph Wilson and
Henry Seawell. the last of whom had, about that
tme resigned his seat the bench of the superior
court and returned to the bar. Some of these were
succeeded few years later by among others Fran
els L. Hawks George E. Badger. Thomas P. Dever
eux Frederic Nash, Samuel Ilillman, William H.
Haywood and James Tredell."
Nearly all gone, again! Of the fourteen named,
only Thomas Rut1in, Francis L.. Hawks, George +.
Badger, and Thomas P. Devereux, remain.
The Henderson family were remarkable for tai
entS. The farther of the Chief Justice distin-
gulshed Judge under the Royal Government. Him.
self Judge and Chief Justice His brother Archi-
bald, of Salisbury, "a very distinguished advo-
cate and unquestonaby the leader of the bar in the
western portion of the State" and a distinguished
member of Congress. Another brother John L., al
so lawyer. member of the Legislature for Salisbu-
ry, Comptroller, and Clerk of the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice the youngest of six children.
"He was left orphan at an early age. his father
having died when he was twelve years old and his
mother surviving her husband only five years. 1t
may not be amiSs to mention here evidence Of
the simplicity and frugalty of the times, well
of the prudence and industry of the matrons of that
day. that his mother, though the vile of of the
highest officers Of the province taught her eldest
sons, well as her daughters. to card and spin
Why Leonard was not instructed in the same house
wifely accomplishment not infnr, ned. The
splendid professional career of of his elder broth
ers shows that though it might not have advanced,
it certainly would not have INSTRUCTED, his upward
course to fame and fortune
We hope that the Magazine is receiving such pa
tronage as in its improved state it really deserves.
These Biographical sketches are alone with more
than the sbscrptiV price, (Which is y Year,
Fayetteville Observer.