Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-06-19
Charge of Judge H. w. Sheffey.

The Grand Jury having requested Judge
Shefey to assent to the publication of his ex
cellent charge to them at the opening of the
Circuit Court of this County, and he having
agreed to comply with their request we publish
below such portions Of it as we supposed would
be read with most interest, not having space to
publish the whole
Gentlemen Of the Grand jury:
Before proceeding to give you such charge
as the law requires, L beg to say few words
which am sure will not be deemed inappro-
pirate to this occasion.
At the last term of this Court, you received
the usual charge from the lips of one, who had
for nearly thlrty-five years, expounded the law
to you and this people. Some Of you will re-
member how imbued with the true spirit of
the patriot and the jurist, he congratulated you
upon the rescue of the country from the vio-
lence of war and the restoration, partial then,
more complete since, OF the civil authorities
to their just powers and functions, and rever-
emily referred to the solution of Gods Provi-
dence, the questions involved in the progress
and results of the fearful struggle, through
which our country had passed and how, like
patriarch he counselled us all to follow on
in the paths of peace, order and law to the end
of our hopes, the prosperity and happiness of
our country; how he counselled us to bury the
dead past, to soothe its sOrrows, to forget it's
wrongs and forgive its injuries; and, as far as
it is In human nature, to live together in unity
and love; how he entreated us to restrain bit
terness of speech, not to blame one another for
what has been or is not to keep alive unkind
feelings or ferment discords but to frown upon
those who would stir up strifes in our midst
and turn the sweet waters, which might other
wise be for our health and comfort, bitter and
distasteful. Now, in his words to you, like the
prophet of old, he obeys the divine command
which said, comfort ye, comfort We my peo-
pie speaking words Of good cheer and hope
to the despairing and horror-stricken pcople
of the South; how kindly wisely and patrioti-
cally he urged US to deal justly, humaney and
merclfully with the freedmen in our midst and
to strive to make them useful members of So
ciety, in their new relations to each other, and
to us, and above all to extend over them the
restraining as well as protecting power of the
law-how he delivered to you an address so re-
plete with wisdom and pure humanity that at
your request it was published for the good of
the country at large, The duties of that hour
were discharged and time passed on, and in
few months, for his wisdom and learning and
exalted virtues, by the choice of the constituted
authorities of the Commonwealth. he was pro-
NOTED to a higher port of judicial usefulness
and honor-to seat on the bench of the Su-
preme Court of Appeals !! Most Justly did he
deserve the honor-most worthilv would he
have fulfilled the duties of the high station to
which he was elected But, alas just as the
reward Of earthly toll was his-just as the new
arena of usefulness and honorable labor was
opened to hlm-just as the country began to
look for prudence in its judicial future to the
light OF his wisdom, kept bright by the studies
OF so many years, and never marred or obscured
by the mists of prejudice or passion; just as
his brethren were waiting for his coming and
assistance, his face was turned to the wall
away from the pleasures, ambitions, pursuits,
aye, even from the duties of Earth--he was
struck by the power which all must feel, the
agony of mortal pain-the touch of the cold
hand which none can resist Our hearts gath
cred around him-the tones of offriendship' s voice
was heard by him-the gentle ministrations of
wife and children were around him-the pray
ers OF Gods people assembled for him-all that
earthly skill and science could effect was done
for him, but all in vain The signal note had
sounded from Heaven and he was gathered to
his fathers! And now this great and good
man lies wrapped in the still repose of the
grave-a repose that shall know no waking till
the dead come forth to the final reckoning
the Virginia gentleman of olden time the con-
scientous, incorruptible and unapproachably
honest Judge; the judicial guardian and pro-
tector OF the widow and the orphan; the hus
band, the father, the patriot, the Christian has
passed from our midst l stood at his bedside