Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-14
TIL E CITY .

NOuIN NlliS NOTWITHSTANDING MS
feebleness and bad health he devoted him
self TO the business of his court, and decided
several cases Of the greatest importance and
requiring the strictest research. The chair
man then called on the committee previous
ly appointed, who through Judge w. +.
Cooper, reported the following:
The Bar at Nashville have met for the
purpose Of paying tribute of respect 10 the
memory of one whom they esteemed, re-
vered and loved. The Hon. S. ID. FRIER-
SON, for so many years Chancellor Of this
Division of the State, died on the morning
Of the 1lth instant at Pulaski, while hold
ing the regular term of his Court at that
place. To say that this news has been re-
ceived with profound regret is very far from
expressing the nature and extent of our
feelings. For to the regret which is always
felt when a great learned man dieth," must
be added the personal grief Of each one Of
us at the loss Of friend. Sc closely had he
endeared himself 10 us by the extraordinary
equanimity of his temper, his uniform cour-
teIy and unaffected anxiety 10 satisfy our
individual wishes whenever he could do so
consistently with his duty, that each one Of
US 1--WE think we can safely say without ex-
ception) entertained for him feelings Of per-
sonal affection. We have all considered
him as prominently qualified, by a rare
combination of high intellect, unwayering
scale of Justice and unyarying good temper,
for the judicial station. Many judges have
one or more Of these qualities, but how few
are there who have them all, and he did
possess them. What wonder, then, if 10 our
admiration for him as profound jurist, we
added love for the man. In him we found
one to whom the language Of the poet could
with truth be applied:
None knew him bat TO love him,
None named him but to praise
Judge Frierson commenced the practice Of
the law about the year 1924, at Columbia, in
the rich and populous county of Maury. The
bar at that place has always been one of the
strongest in the State. Ii was, therefore,
well adapted for developing the powers Of n
strong and vigorous intellect, and educating
him for the position he was destined to fill
for so many years Even at the Bar, his
seise of justice was so well-known, that he
was rarely ever applied to to bring suits
except where the right was clear, and he
never would take charge Of any case Of any
exceptionable character. He was an edu-
Gated scholar and a well-read lawyer; but
his peculiar excellenoe consisted in thor
ough knowledge of those general principles
which lie at the foundation of all judicial
aystems, and the good sense which enabled
him TO apply those principles TO the varying
facts of each particular case. He united
uncommon quickness of apprehension with
profound depth of thought He was never
satisfied until he could show not only good
reason for the conclusion 10 which he him
self had come but wherein lay the error of
the opposite view. IL need scarcely be said
that this is a characteristic of only the high
est order of minds II il far easier TO come
10 correct conclusions than to trace out dis
tinctly the steps by which those conclusions
can be demonstrated. Many good judges
can do the one, while only the fewest excel
in the latter. IL was this popularity
of Judge Frierson's mind which, al
most as much as his suavity of
manner and kindness of heart, en-
deared him to his bar. The youngest
practitioner knew that the Judge would not
only decide his case upon sound reasoning,
but would point out wherein his own reason
ing was not satisfactory. And every lawyer
was satisfied that if the decision was given
against him, il would only be after his ar
gument had been thoroughly weighed, and
every suffer i'm his court, when once brought
in contact with the Judge, instinctively felt
that lac was in the presence of a man who
was incapable Of doing anything which he
did not think was right All, therefore,
were satisfied that impartial justice would
be administered with due deliberation. The
loss Of such man is indeed n public calam-
ity.
In this tribute Of respect 10 the lamented
dead the bar at Nashville look chiefly to the
public services rendered by the Chancellor
in his Judicial position. To speak Of him in
private capacity belongs more appropri-
ately to those in whose midst he lived. But
we cannot forbear adding, that no breath Of
SANDER has ever cast upon him the slightest
imputation in any Of the relations oflife.
Eminent and esteemed as he was as a judi
cial officer, he was even more so as a citizen,
husband and father. OF an afiectionate
disposition, liberal and kind hearted, he
necessarily won the attachment Of all those
who were brought within the sphere of his
influence and was idolized by those depend
ent upon him. five, who only saw him oc-
casionally and in one line Of life, feel 80
deeply his death how must il be with those
who were as one with him. May il give
them some consolation TO know that We are
sharers of their sorrows.
Resolved, therefore, That in the death of
Chancellor Frierson the State has lost one
Of its best citizens and ablest jurists, the
community in which he lived one of its most
useful and valued MEMBERS the people of
this Chancery Division an invaluable officer,
and we ourselves a beloved friend.
Resolved, That we tender TO the family and
immediate relatives Of the deceased our most
heartfelt sympathy.
Resolved, That the several courts held in
in this county be requested TO spread these
proceedings ON their records, and that the
oh irfnon deQifyt,ofa cnyaa y,npnnhar. of this
meeting 10 prefer the requests TO said courts.
RESOLVED, That these proceedings be pub
lished in the newspapers Of this city, and a
copy thereof sent by the Chairman Of this
meeting 10 the family Of the deceased.
II. c. FOSTER, ST., Esq, moved the adop-
ton Of the resolutions. He had known
Chancellor Frierson since the year 1918. He
was an upright man and an able lawyer. His
noble character gave dignity TO his profess
sion. He was partner Of JAS. X. Polk.
Mr.. Foster said that of all mis- earlier con-
temporaries none survived except the chair
man Hon. Cave johnson. They, too, must
soon pass away.
NEIL s. Brown, Esq, said that words
could add nothing TO the deep sorrow felt at
the loss Of Judge Frierson. He lamented
il, and shared il equally with those who
knew him best He had been acquainted
with the deceased for % years from his own
boyhood, add for Is years had known him
as well as he had known any man. The
resolutions were not oyerdrawn. He had
often been struck with the manly Christian
character of the deceased. He was no
neutral on any subject, but none ever heard
from him a word OF malice or unkindness.
lie performed his duties in all respects, but
he left no sting. In this respect, particu-
larly, his character was worthy of imitation.
His ability was OF the highest character, and
his legal learning large and extended In
his official position he was especially kind
and courteous 10 young men. He had for
them always a ready ear, and a sort OF meet
ing them half way, which inspired them
with confidence. He had the qualities Of
urbanity and self-control 30 the highest de-
gree. The speaker knew of none who was
his superior as a judge or as a man. In his
latter years he was enfcebled by disease, but
he was 10 the last able 10 grapple with the
weightiest questions. He called upon the
members of the Bar TO consider the distin-
guished example set by the deceased, which
was well worthy to be followed by his sue
cessors, and he would be fortunate who
would equal il.
The whole characterof the deceased could
not be written. This was no mere formal
tribute TO his memory, and he hoped that
every member OF the bar would be benefited
by recurrence 10 his virtues, and would