Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-10-09
MAJOR JAMES T. PEYToK.
EulOgy Pronounced by las. E. Tenn
pie, in the Circuit Court.

resolutions adopted at a meeting of the
Memphis bar, on receiving intelligence of
the demise of Maj. James T.. Peyton, a
young and promising member of he bar,
delivered the following well merited Gu
logy upon the life and character of the de-
ceased. 1t was listened TO attentively,
and fully appreciated by all present:
May it plea Sc your Honor:
At a meeting of the members of the bar
of Memphis, which occurrd on the 9th of
August, 1869, to give expression of their
cordial sorrow at the painful intelligence
of the death of Maj. James I. Pc t N,
which melancholy event TRANSFERRED at the
Red Sulphur Spring in the State of Nir-
ginia, on the 10Th day of July preceding,
/ was delegated TO bring to the attention
of this Honorable Cour the resolutions
adopted on that mOurnful occasion. In
the performance of his sad though pleas
urableduty, 1 trust that the indulgence of
a few remarks pertinent to the subject of
them, will not unduly trespass upon the
patience of your Honor. The retrosdect of
the condition of the Memphis bar, ante
nor to, as well as a view of it subsequent
TO the nefarious civil war which engender-
ed so much mental anxiety and disaster,
produced such slaughter, desolation and
blight upon our fair and beloved land as
almost to decimate its numbers, fOrcibly
summon pleasing yet grievous reminis-
cenees of many of that gallant %coterie
whose chivalrous and dignified bearing,
high estimate of honor and sterling quail |
tiles commended them for their gentle
manly department. Many of that bright
galaxy whose eruditiOn in legal law nOt
only adorned the bench and aided 1t with
their cogept logic in expounding the law,
but also moved juries and courts with
the thrill of their forensic e%lOquence who
ave passed away from the arena of ac-
ton to that undiscovered bourne from
whence no traveller returns, WHOSE BEAM
ing countenances we shall never ooh
upon again or hear the melody of their
cheerful voices in agreeable converse, or
be participants with them III their visible
hilarty, or witness the potency of their
arguments in intellectual combats. I
Il was my propitious fortune to form ,
the acquaintance OF Mai. Peyton early after
his connection with this bar. lie was one
Of those who, a~ntecedeut 10 the fragrant
disruption between the two sections of
the country, had emigrated from the
grand old mother of States to the Bluff
City, which he adopted as his future home.
He imported with him all those elevated
characteristic OF head and enn0bling SEN
timents of heart that are indigenous 10 his
natal cline, and which always adorn the
true Christian gentleman in public and
private walks, socially, morally, politi-
cally, in whatever vocation he nay be
destined 10 aQt,
" EN4 A4b llEolu SlQLQou LIo hAdlLl VI |
the interneolne trattoldal war, and the
notes of the clarion mustered in martial
array the hosts of the yalorous sous efthe
South, he, Notwithstanding his aversion
to the pernicious doctrines of secession |
and his opposition 10 rending asun-
der Il government that had been &C.
mented by the blood and treasure of as
noble a band OF patriots a. ever graced
hes annals OF any age or figured upon the
worlds drama, yet believing that his allie
glance TO the State of his adoption was
paramount, subordinated his individual |
opinions to that allegiance, and, impelled
by the dictates Of duty, panOplied himself
in the habiliments OF war, united his
destirY with the fortunes of the Southern |
armies, ihtfepidly followed the flag OF the
C~unfederacy, and steadfastly adhered to
the now lost cause until her banner was
furled by the surrender at Appomattox. |
As grim vissaged war smoothed its wrin-
Killed. front, and gentle peace returned with
Esr Esnign sway, he resumed his wonted
pursuit, and by his usual unremitted in
dustry c0minanded at the period of his
untimely demise a lucrative equity prac-
tice. His taste and fancy attract
ed him to this branch of the
science of the Law aud he was es-
pecially fascinated by its wise diserimina-
tiOns between right and wrong. Ii is Ia
mentable to contemplate a person whose
lultIcsS VI NtEES udS IlpeutO lutO Tue MA
turity of old age, the aspirations of his ma
ture gratiied, having the confidence of all
who knew him, revered by the commu-
nifty in which he lived, favored with
wealth and station, slowly decline into
the opdque'solitude of the grave, as the
sun Of day gradually sinks into'the black
shadows of night; but the poignancy of
the thought is greatly augmented from
the reAectlou that one las was the fate of
Mai. PeytonJ Who, not laying arrived gE
the meridian Of life, hut in the spring
time Of Of his manhood, arrayed in the
freshness of yernaI foliage, the budding
hopes Of his youth blOssoming into full
f%ruition, reaping the rewards of an assid-
uOus devotion TO one of the nOblest of
professions, with the prospect, forsooth, of
attaining sill higher seats in her sanctu-
ares, having the consolation of a devoted
wife, who, ny an anger of beauty, mipls-
tered to his beatitude, with his group OF
interesting children, who as Beautiful
flowers dirused q FedOlenee that hallowed
his sacred home, is suddenly cut down
by the most insidiCus OF diseases, pre-
maturely falls into decay, like the royal
oak, the monarch of the forest. decksd
yith regal splendor, is blasted by the
s9atLiHg lightning, and without u prerno-
milton is hurfieily launcned uL0p the
bosom OF that tuFbid river whose Stygidn
waves roll with no Fefiuent ebh from the
HilOAta u klLAC AAlsO lhc udiAk gull VI SlcT-
nifty. How deeply should such a specta-
Gle impress US with its solemn warn
ipg." Therefore, be we also ready, for in
sa6b ap hcgr as We think not the son of
man eometn,
No aspersion blemished the purity of
his morality, or reprosch diinmed its IN
suIlied brightness. His reputation as a
man and fidelity as a lawyer were never
clouded by any stigInath that DETAINED his I'M
furnished name. His prObity was unsoiled
IS a single stains his integrity was incor-
ruptible. The sunlight Of truth was the
beacon that illumined his pathway and ia-
variab1y guided his actions. He blessed
his family circle with the fond attachment
of a loving husband and AN aifectionate
Parent. his personal and social friend
Ships Wer6 Of ga" atdent and ingenious
description which, as blooming roses, DIS
pensed u fragrance lhSt sweetened his in
tercourse with his felloW-nIen. His pro-
Iessional relations were signallZed toy that
courteous a~inenity and nrbane at1ability
that implrt Il pleasure 10 such associa-
tipus, and ELECTED the esteem of all
~ho had BUSINESS transactions with
nm. we extend our sincere SYM
psties 10 his 'bereaTed reflects and
earnestly deplprs the loss Of our de-
ceased brother, which Is a calamity that
affiicts us al, the eXcellencies of whose
character shine with an e~ffulgenee that
arliosed his faults and imperfeetlons,
which none Of US are exempt, over
which lot US throw the mantle OF charity,
and constantly stvirs 20 emulate his
many virtues, which, as evefgreeas, VIII
linger with perennial verdure in our
memories. In. paying this last public
tribute OF respect to his recollection we
may be paTdohsd fpr gTpRpiHg the tears
of affection upon the ionib at departed
merit.
Heaven that knows
The weakness of our natures, will forgive,
Nay, must applaud, loves debt when de-
cent paid,
can the bravest mortal blame the tear
Which glitters on the bier of fallen worth.
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