Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-20


A few days ago, we presented the resolu-
tions of respect and admiration Of the life
and character of Judge GREEN, adopted by
the Bar Of Lebanon, Of which he was an
immediate member and distinguished ona-
ment We now have the melancholy pleas
ure Of adding the testimony Of his associates
and neighbors to the purity, learning and
Christian virtures Of the deceased:
REMARKS OF COL. JORDAN STOKES.
Colonel Stokes, in presenting the rcsolu-
tions, desired to add a personal expression
Of grief at the calamity which had beiallen
our community and our country. The reso-
lutions which he had read, however imper-
iectly expressed, were intended for the high
est need of praise that could be Offered to
the virtues Of 2 departed friend. His char
acter, both public and private, was far above
reproach, or even the whisper Of suspicion.
His profound and able discussions of the law,
which he has left upon record, are every
where liberalized with the principles Of
charity and Justice, which he imbibed from
the influence and practice of pure religion.
He never forgot, as a lawyer or as a judge,
that he was a christian gentlemen and owed
to his God paramount loyalty. Though
hc was beyond the age Of seventy years, he
taught Us by his example, the importance
and duty of devoting our strength to some
pursuit Of public or private interest and
up 10 almost the last hours Of his existence
he pursued, with unabated ardor, the duties
Of a professor Of law in Cumberland Uni
versity. Such life 80 full of interest as a
Christian, as a lawyer, and AS a citizen, and
50 crowned in conclusion as we know it was,
deserves indeed, higher eulogy than any
words Of ours can render. The continuation
Of his memory in the hearts Of those who
knew him, is secured by the permanency of
the great truths he announced throughout
his life, and the morals he so assiduously
promulgated.
SPEECH OF HON. r. i. CARUTHERs.
Icannotp pass this occasion by without speak
ing in memory Of my departed friend. have
known him since the year 1927, first as a
member of the Legislature, then as prac-
teal lawyer, then as a Chancellor, then as
one of the Judges of the Supreme Court Of
the State. which he made illustriOus with
his great talents, and last as professor of
law in Cumberland University and a citi
a long and familiar acquaintance with him,
can most heartily endorse the resolutions
10 which we have just listened, and the
earnest and eloquent tribute Of the Chair
man Of the Committee. Judge Green was
AN extraordinary man, and was possessed Of
combination of extraordinary qualities
that attracted attention among the greatest
men Of the country. lie was a man of
wonderful and untiring energy, and was not
content with the simple equality with the
men of his day. Beginning life from humble
origin and under adverse circumstances, he
fought his way TO the highest position in his
State And while the science of an en-
lightened and christian law shall be taught
and practiced among men, his name will go
down TO coming generations, honored, re
ycred, and beloved. The young men who
have sat at the feet Of Gamaliel will love
his memory, and through their mouths will
be perpetuated a traditionary fame of his
exalted purity of character, his benevolence,
and his great learning. His life is an ex-
cmplifcation Of the fact, that an earnest and
successful lawyer may be an earnest and de-
voted Christian. Such men are rare, they
DO not belong 10 every age, and their vir-
tues should indeed he cherished. A painful
vacuum has been left in society, and it may
well be asked who is to fill it, and upon
whom has fallen the mantle of this illustri-
GUS man.
SPEECH OF HON. h. L. RIDLEY.
do not know that language can add TO
To the solemnty of the event, which has
been Just announced. But knew the de-
ceased 80 long and so well and had such an
exalted estimate Of his character, both
public and private, that am not willing to
permit the melancholy occasion to pass,
without expressing one word of coincidence.
have known Judge Green for more than
a quarter of century, and during nearly
the whole time, was associated with him
either as lawyer and Chancellor, or as Chan
cellor and Supreme Judge or as professors
in the same school of Cumberland Univer-
sity. lie was a great man and a good man,
and a perfect model rs a Judge and learned
and accomplished professor, and a teacher Of
the law. first met Judge Green at Nc
Minnville in 1927 He resided in Man
chester, but was at McMinnville as n candi-
date for the State Senate, in a canvass with
Andrew Buchanan, in which race he was sue
cessful At that time the bar at Winchester,
with whom he practiced, madeup a splendid
GALAXY Of talented lawyers, Judge lsaacs,
James Campbell, ThQs. II. Fletcher, Micah
Tool, Frank Jones, (who died in 1896 were
all compeers of his, and all of them, con-
ceded 10 him the front rank at the bar On
account of his eminent legal learning he
was elected by the Legislature, Chancellor
for Middle Tennessee. The duties of which
Office he discharged with distinguished abll-
ity and was the pride and admiration of the
bar, and of the whole country. His field of
labor was the whole of Middle Tennessee.
And, during the time Of his chancellorship,
which terminated, | think, in 1881 lie per
formed more hard labor, held more court;
and travelled over more territory, than any
other Judge in the State. During theume, II
is said that he never lost a court nor failed to
dispatch, either by trial or continuance,
every case upon his docket. He was man
of excellent health and constitution, of un-
firing labor, energy and industry, and took
great delight in the administration of equity
Jurisprudence.
The exalted character which he acquired
as a learned and accomplished Chancellor,
won for him the high position of Supreme
Judge from the Legislature of 1881. And
lac was placed on the bench with Judges
Catron, White aud Peck, in which position,
he continued until 1885, winning golden
opinions from the bar and the country, for
his diligence, energy and the legal aailiy
which he displayed. In 1884, the new Con-
stitution OF Tennessee, reduced the number
of Judges 20 three. And the respective
friends of himself and Judge Catron, placed
them in q position of antagonism, before
the Legislature rs candidates FOX Supreme
Judge for Middle Tennessee. His trium-
phant election, by an overwhelming major
iotvf that remarkable Legislature, in which,
for the first time in the history of the State,
there was a majority Of the first lawyers in
the State over Judge Catron, so distinguish
ID - o learned and acceptable Judge, vas
very complimentary u Judge Green. The
same Legislature elected Judge Reese, for
Fast Tennessee, and Judge Turley, as Su-
prcme Judge for West Tennessee, And in
That splendid triumyirate Of Judge Green,
was soon regarded by the profession as
"Prnoeps caier prjacipcs.' Ii is true that
Judge Reese was a bellies letter scholar
of accomplished collegiate education IN the
classics-Judge Turley too, was literally
educated in literature and science, and was
a man Of fgenius-bright scintilating genius.
Whilst Judge Green knew nothing Of Greek
or Latin, and was never favored with edu-
cation in the high schools, still he was al
wsvs looked upon as the safe man Of isidc-
sacnt-possessed Of more practical common
sense-was the soundes. lawyer, and had the
greatest facility Tor supplying hislegal learn
ing 10 the case before the Court. The lis
,-,isbiny element OF his mind vas cleara