Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-11-18
Written for the Daily Journal
Death of Judge Royce.


Written for the Daily journal
Death Of Judge Royce.
Though that event occurred at his residence in
East Berkshire, in franklin County, on Wednes-
day last, knowledge of it was not obtained in this
place until Saturday, the 18th inst. The passing
away of the Hon Stephen Royce, who, for many
years, was among the highest in personal and
public character, elicits something more than q
mere announcement; and yet justice to his name
and memory demands more extended and elab-
crate article. Without being able 10 state with
precision the statistical details and chapcteriz-
ing traits of his earliest years. it may now suffice
to say, that he was the son of Stephen Royce, one
Of the carly, staunch, yeoman settlers of Frank
lin County, upon the farm on which his distin-
guished son has Just dicd-a splendid patrimony
in the rich valley Of the Mssisquoi river making
the home Of the son, a. il had been Of the father
through long life. Judge Royce was educated
at Middlebury College, and graduated in 1906
lie then devoted himself to the study and practice
Of the law in his native County, with such ASST
duty and success, that, in 1895, he was elected
Judge Of the Supreme Court, and again in 1896
For reasons not now in mind, he was not elected
again till 1929; from which time he held the of
fee by annual elections till October, 1859 being
the Chief Judge for the last six years Of the time.
In 1854 he was elected Governor, and also in
1865. Since that he has held no official position,
but has lived in retirement ON the old family
homestead, in leisure and freedom from care and
responsibility greatful 10 his waning years. en-
Joying-as the fruits Of long life, devoted with
unsurpassed ability and unquestioned upright
nes to the service of the State in most response
bic and exacting positions,--the admirng reyer-
ence Of his fellow citizens
Though shrinking modesty was one Of the most
noticeable in his personal qualities, early in pro
icssional life he to be regarded rs one of the
most highly endowed and thoroughly accomplish
ed jurists OF his day, and his services were en-
listed in association, or conflict. with the most
mature and eminent lawyers Of the State-as Al
dis, and Swift, and Marsh and Edmonds, and
Prentiss, and Everett, and Bradley, and others OF
like grade in age and rank. In the twenty-five
years Of his service as Judge, he impressed him
self upon the professional and public Judgment Of
the State as one of the ablest and most accom-
plished jurists that have given strength and good
name to the Judiciary Of Vermont Though his
mildness of temper, and kindness of feeling, and
delicate modesty, precluded the exercise of that
effective energy and decisiveness which charac-
terized some of his eminent cotemporaries and
successors still, he held ''thc way ring balance
of Justice with a strong and even hand, and per-
mitted only /" the law and the testimony To bear
upon his Judicial administration. Ii is true that
he was affected with delicate sensitivenes, as to
the feelings of others, that rendered il painful To
him to pronounce, in formal opinion and iudg-
ment, upon questions and cases involving impor-
tant pecuniary or personal interests; vet such
opinion and Judgment were formed. and held. and
pronounced by him, without any mixture of mis-
giving, or tnge of bias. arising from considern- |
tons aside from the law and the testimony"
The quality and extent of his learning in the
law, and the exquisite refinement of his mind and
taste as a iurist. are most Etrikinglv evinced in
enduring EXAMPLE and illustration. in tbe onin-
ions drawn up by him. and contained in the Vcr-
mont Reports from Vol | 70 Vol "a On tho
whole. they are entitled IN no nc thev oro IN Go,
regarded. as the most perfect snecimens Of ndiciol
literature contained in our Reports in one re-
spect surpassino even the renowned on;r;ons os
judge Prentiss. viz. in the ounl;,v IF a comma
hensyeness that never transcend.d Tho score or
the case in hand. IN partale Of the cborocter oe
es,oy, upon the subject rs well ne Of an on;,;on
of the Court in The case.
1t is 10 he regretted that he xithbeld from nrh.
li,ation many of tho cases that fall 10 him o.
draw mn opinions in An impression nrevoilod
To some extent. that il was attributable 10 dsin
clination to exnend the reouisite labor Another
reason, in fact operated upon him in this respect
and he assigned il freely to confidential friends
and il was-tbe usage his opinions shared in tbe
hands of Reporters and country publishers
fate that his associates and successors have eouo
" shared down to the present time but porbops
with less keenness Of charrin in the present md
less terror of dread in the nrosnect In This con.
nection II is nermissahle IN say thot 40 coroGI