The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-02
REMARKs oFT.J. WHARTON.

HEMARkS OF I. j. WHARTON,
On presenting to tie High Court of Errors and
appeals tie resolutions adopted by the menu
6ers Of the Bar, on the occasion Of the death
of George s Eeryer. Published By request
MAY IT PLEASE Your HoSoRs Themelan-
choly duty has been assigned to me of an
nouncing to the Court the death of the Hon.
George s. Yerger, and of presenting the pro-
ceedings OF meeting of the Bar of this city,
and requesting that they may be spread upon
the records as testimonial of respect for his
memory They have purposely avoided, in
the action taken, all the meretricious orna-
ments of studied euiogy. They have sought
to give expression, ia the simplest language,
.taatlz;a}zrnassulau1 b Elsg cfafactSF
Of the deceased !; to The admiration, affection
and veneration they cherished for him
when alive and to their sense of the irrepara-
bic loss sustained by the profession and the
country, in his untimely death. They have
thought that this course would best accord
with the proprieties of the occasion, and the
known and beautiful simplicity of life and
character of their beloved friend aud brother.
Much more might have been said, with the
strictest regard for truth less could not have
been, in justice to him.
and too often shows-when applied to the
dead-not what they were, but what they
should have been.
1t has been thought best to let his record
speak-that record which long life of Illus
trious public and private virtues has made up,
and which will preserve his name more i'm
perishable than if carved in letters of granite
or ofgold. Enshrined in the hearts of those
who loved and honored him living, and mourn
him dead
With US his name shall live
Through long succeeding years,
Embalmed with all our hearts can give
Our praises and our tears.
Initiating the example set in the resolutions,
/ shall attempt no eulogy Of the deceased
Perhaps I should most appropriately perform
the duty assigned, and best consult the tastes
and feelings of my professional brethren by
simply presenting the proceedings and letting
expressive silence muse his praise" should
however, do violence to my own feelings if |
did not add word, however feebly spoken.
I trust that / shall be pardoned if, in the
general grief which this most appalling be-
reayemet has caused, Iapproach his fresh clos
ed grave to offer last tribute to his memory,
and cast garland of friendship on his bier
He was the friend of my childhood, youth, man.
hood aye, he was my fathers friend. In the
saddest affection of my own life-when my
head was bowed down with sorrow, such as
now broods over the hearts Of his loved and
stricken household-he stood at my side, and
comforted me with his paternal counsel and
Christian sympathy.
We all knew him as lawyer of unsur-
passed learning and ability. It was in this
forum he achieved his proudest and most en-
during triumphs. Its records win preserve
his name and fame as long as our judicial an
nails remain. But it was our good fortune to
know him also in the private and social rela-
aions-as husband, father, friend. 1t was in
them the loveliest features of his character
were exhibited. Scfupulously honest in the
discharge of every duty, distinguished for
liberality in every praiseworthy cause, his
hand was ever extended to relieve the neces-
sites of the oppressed. His charity like the
dews of Heaven, was SO silently difftlsed that
it was only seen in its hailowed influences
Ministering in seasons Of affection, alike in
novels Of want and wretchedness, and in halls
of wealth and luxury. In word, he Illus
trated, in his whole life and conduct, the sub
lime precepts of the holy religion he profess
III. i
world, "he enforced and obeyed but one law,
and that was the law Of love-"
His success in He was beautiful common
tary on the civil institutions Of our country,
and most encouraging proof of the difficult
ties which may be overcome, and the emf
hence which may be attained, by untiring en-
ergy, and uncompromising virtue.
1.-THE death of such man-so sudden
sewers so many ties, interrupts so many de-
lights, withdraws so many condolences, leaves
such an aching void in the hearts of family
and friends, and such sense of desolation
among associates, that while we bow submits
sively to the divine decree, our grief cannot
but pour itself out in heartfelt lamentations"
Who among US will ever forget the gloom
which overshadowed this whole community
when the news of his death reached u.s. On
" the day before he had left us, buoyant in
hope and robust in health. The bolt which
freed his immortal spirit was as sudden and
swift As the winged lightning, bearing the mes
sage which rived the hearts Of his sorrowing
friends .
Who among US will ever forget that long
funeral pageant, that mournfnl procession
which thronged the church be loved so well,
or those words Of melting eloquence which |
fell from the lips of his devoted pastor. But
for all this, he was as fortunate in his death as
be was loved and honored in his life. OF him |
t could be said, with as much propriety and |
ruth as of the illustrious statesman of whom |
/ was spoken, that he died with his fame I'M
diminished, his faculties unbroken, and his
usefulness unimpaired Beyond all, he died
q the faith Of Christian-humble, but faith
i'll; adding another to the roll of eminent |
men who have searched the Gospel Of Jesus,
md have found the word and the win OF God |
yiyen to direct as wnile here, and sustain us
d that hour of trial, when the things of this
vorld are passing away, and the dark valley
# the shadow Of death is opening before US.