Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-14
Tribute Of Respect TO tho Memory Of Hon.
William L. Harris.

jackson, on MONDAY, MOMENTUM oVi
1868, TO pay a suitable tribute Of respect
10 the memory OF Hon. w. L, Harris,
late an Associate Judge Of the High
Court, and who has recently died, the
following proceedings we're had;
On motion OF Hon. VIM. Yerger, Hon.
Thomas Shackelford was called 10 the
chair to preside over the meeting, AND
on motion Of Hon. 7. ]. Wharton, Mr. 3.
Livingston was requested TO act as secre-
tary. m
Alter appropriate remarks by Hon. I.
]. Wharton, Judge WIN. Yerger. Judge
K. Jeffords and Judge r A. Hill, on
motion e Judge Yerger, committee OF
three, consisting Of Hon. t. j. Wharton,
Hon. W. Yerger and Hon. q. Il. Potter,
was appointed by the chairman to pre-
pare suitable resolutions expressive OF
the sense OF the meeting Of the loss the
bar and country had sustained on this
occasion.
After q recess for the purpose, the
committee through their chairman, Hon.
T. J. Wharton, reported the following
The bar of Mississippi, now in attend
ance upon the High Court Of Errors and
Appeals, have just heard, with emotions
of profound sorrow, of the audden death,
in The city Of Memphis, on last Friday,
of their late beloved friend and associate
the Hon. William l.. Harris.
Identified as he was with the Judicial
annals of our State for period of nearly
a third of century, endeared to the
hearts not only of his professional breth'
rem, but of all whose good fortune 1t was
TO enjoy his acquaintance; ever In the
foremost ranks to promote the honor,
the interests and prosperity OF this, his
adopted State, it is mete that we should
nut upon record an enduring memorial
OF the great loss which society has sus-
tanned in the death of citizen so useful,
SO honored and beloved.
Born and reared in theState of Georgia,
the deceased migrated to the State OF
Mississippi in early manhood. Thor.
oughly qualified by both classical and
legal studies, be entered upon the prac-
tice of his profession. His success at
once became an assured fact. He rose
rapidly to eminence at the bar of the
judicial district in which he resided. His
legal learning, bis remarkable powers as
a popular speaker, his untiring zeal in
the prosecution of his profession, his
unimpeachable integrity, very soon won
for him a place on the bench of the Cir
cult Court; which be continued to adorn
until, in the year 1857, he was, by an
overwhelming majority, elevated to a
seat on the bench of the High Court of
Errors and Appeals, which position he
held until his removal to the city of
Memphis in the fall Of 1867.
1t is unnecessary to speak of his career
as Justice of the Supreme Court The
reports are repl0te with the evidences of
his learning, his industry, his incorrupt-
ible integrity. No man ever presided in
the courts of the State who commanded
more of the confidence, respect and
affection of his professional brethren.
His impartiality, and earnest effort to
arrive at truth and dispense justice, were
never suspected by suitors, even when
his decisions involved the loss of their
entire estates.
He combined, in q wonderful degree,
kindness of heart and susvity of man
ners, with frmness of purpose. A single
incident in his history will illustrate the
purity of his character, and serve to
show how far he was elevated above
every corrupting influence His highest
aspirations were judicial A vacancy
occurring on the bench of the Supreme
Court of the United States, he sought it
as man of honor would seek position
so exalted, in manner not derogatory to
his own, or the dignity Of the office. His
aspirations were crowned with success.
Bat a short time before the breaking out
of the late deplorable civil war, he had
the honor to receive from ex-President
Buchanan a commission as one OF the
Justices of that august tribunal. The
station filled the measure OF his ambi-
ton. He foresaw, however, that his
State had predetermined to sever her COZ
nection with the Federal Union, and it
did not cost him a moments hesitation
to decline the tempting offer and to iden-
tify his fortunes with those of his adopted
State.
In private life, Judge Harris was
model of every virtue. Honored and
trusted by his friends, be was the idol of
his domestic circle. Genial, kind, afec-
tionate, benevolent, pure in heart, he has
left us nothing to regret but his untimely
death. The tear of sorrow will bedew
the eyes of thousands iu the States of
Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee,
when the sad tidings shall be borne to
them on the lightning wing, that the no.
bic. the true, the brave, the generous
william L. Harris has yielded his spirit
10 the God who gave it.
In token of our respect for the mem
ory of our deceased friend and brother,
we resolved
|. That 10 the death of the Hon. VIM.
L. Harris, great public loss has been
sustained by the legal profession of the
whole country.
.. That no man had lived amongst us
who commanded more Of the confidence,
resuect and affection Of his professional
brethren, and Of all classes Of citizens
than did the deceased.
3. That in all the public and private
relations of life he exhibited purity
and firmness of purpose, kindness of
heart, an exactness Of justice, which so
impressed all with whom be came in con-
tact, that it may be asserted Of him that
he has closed long, eventiul and illus
trious career withou. leaving an enemy
behind.
a That the foregoing preamble and
resolutions be presented TO the High
Court Of Errors and Appeals at its meet
ing this morning, with the request that
they be spread upon its records, aud that
the Secretary furnish copy TO the fam
liz Of the deceased, and also one to the
Clarion for publication, aud that all the
newspapers Of the State, and also those
in the city Of Memphis, BE requested TO
publish the same.
On motion, the same we're unani-
mously adopted, and, on motion, the
meeting adjourned.
THos. SHLcKLEFoRD, Chairman.
s. LIVINGSTON. Secretary.