The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-06-03

fairness and impartiality, and with whatever
OF abiGtysI may have possessed.
For whatever Of success may have attend
ed my efforts, the credit is in a very consid-
cradle degree due to the members of the Bar
for the research, learning and ability with
which the law has been examined and dis
cussed and the questions for discussion been
presented to the court.
That have committed mistakes do not
pretend to deny, but / have sought to make
them as few as possible and to correct them
when discovered. That have also at times
exhibited undue haste, impotence and even
irritableness of disposition Imay not deny
But on all such occasions the members of the
Bar have treated me with kindness which
exhibited due consideration on their part
of the difficulties of the position, and of the
varied circumstances incident thereto, which
of themselves and without fault in any, are
calculated to try the patience and disturb
the equaminity of Judge.
And whether my judgments have been
approved by the bar as correct or otherwise,
they have met with cheerful and ready
acqueiscence. Indeed have ever and un-
der all circumstances received from them
an unvarying support and confidence. Of
that support and confidence this present
will be a constant remembrance.
Of all the practitioners at this Bar when /
first came to it, but two remain with US.
One of them is the organ of the Bar on this
occasion, who has been alike my successor
and predecessor on this bench. The other,
yet citizen among us. has retired, years
since, from the active labors of the profess
sion. a
Knox, Wells, Reynolds, Bracket, Man
ming, Davidson, Kellogg. Knowlton, with their
early associates, have either sought other
fields of labor, or gone to that rest which
awaits us all. Their vacant places are filled
by you who now occupy them with an abili-
ty and fidelity in your profession that is alike
honorable to yourself and the memory of
your predecessors.
1t is indeed a most honorable pursuit. 1t
is that of a science which distinguishes the
criterions of right and wrong; which teaches
to establish the one and prevent, punish or
redress the other; which employs in its the
DRY the noblest faculties of the soul and ex-
erts in its practice the cardinal virtues of the
heart. Universal in its use and extent, ap.
plicable to each individual, yet comprehend
ing the whole community" The influence
and usefulness of such profession cannot
be calculated. In whatever country and
under whatever circumstances liberty and
constitutional rights have needed advocates
and defenders, they have seldom failed to
find them in the members of the legal pro-
tesslon. In our own country and in recent
years, the members of the Bar have been
foremost in the field as well as at the forum,
in defense of constitutional rights. In your
honorable pursuit of such profession trust
It's highest and most essential honors may be
yours, and that the community which is so
greatly benefited by them may not fail to
appreciate your labors. Among you have
spent the best years of my life, and have
contracted friendships which I shall ever
cherish. Wherever my duties may call me,
| shall with pleasure recall these times in
my memory and still keep fresh like flowers
in water these happiest of years. Your
beautiful present will serve to revive these
golden memories.
In closing my official relations with you /
have satisfaction in believing that my sue
cessor will be a gentleman whose pure char.
acter, sound Judgment, high legal abilities
and general scholarship are a sure guaranty
that the place will be we'll and ably filed. -
The Bar and the People will, / am persuaded
be the gamers rather than the losers by the
exchange.
At the close of Judge Wilkinson's very
excellent, feeling and appropriate remarks,
which We have imperfectly given, Judge
Drury asked that the Bar might be permit.
ted to direct the Clerk as to spreading the
proceedings which had just occurred upon
the records of the court, and the request was
granted.
The Sheriff then, by order of Judge Viii
kinson, adjourned the Court to the next Sep.
TENDER term.
The cane is magnificent ebony, with a
very heavy and richly ornamented gold
head, upon which is engraved SRA o.
WILKINSON, FROM THE Rock ISLAND CoUS-
TY BAR"
The whole proceedings were highly com.
plimentary to Judge Wilkinson, who will
carry with him, on retiring from the Bench,
the respect of the whole community.
We understand that he will permanently
locate in Chicago, where he is already enjoy
ing highly lucrative practice. His varied
experience as Jurist, having, in the course
of his official position, in one way or anoth
er, had occasion to pass upon or examine
almost every possible question which car
arise for litigation, make his services very
valuable, and we doubt not that he will, in
his new career, find that distinction which
ability, learning, industry and integrity are
sure to bring We wish him every desira.
BILE success, pecuniarily, professionally and