The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-01-03
COLUMBIA, IS. G.
. Sunday Morning. January 8, 1869.


There was very general attendance of
the members of the Bar in the Equity Court
Room yesterday, says the Charleston Cou-
rier. of the LIST. It was generally known
that by the action of the late Constitutional
Convention, the Court of Equity would
cease to exist on the 1st day of January,
1869, and the Bar deemed it due the emil
nent services rendered by Chancellor Le-
sesne, to evince some token of esteem and
respect. Ex-Chief Justice Dunkin, Master
Jas. W. Gray and Register Jas. L. CAN'T
were in the Court Room, which was filed
by lawyers of Charleston. Hon. Jas. ST.
mons, on behalf of the Bar, arose and after
few remarks, read the following preamble
( and resolution:
The Bar of Charleston have assembled
this day, upon which, according to the pre-
sent arrangement of the government of
this State. the Court of Equity, as sepa-
rate judicial organization, is to terminate it's
existence. An organization that has sub
sisted since tie first settlement of this
State, that had its origin and derived its
history from that country from which our
system of jurisprudence has sprung A
system which has been adorned, honored
and illustrated by the loftieat character the
most accurate and extensive erndition, and
has, in the course of time, impressed itself
upon the respect and consideration of the
people of South Carolina, will now give way
to these fresh notions of progress that have
overturned the dogmas and teachings of
wisdom and experience. It is, therefore,
not matter of surprise that the Bar of
Charleston, participating with the largest
portion of the intelligence of the State, can
not part with this ancient and time -honored
institution, without expressing their regret
at Its departure, and testifying their vene-
ration for the departed Judges who once
here presided and their esteem and respect
Tor those whose places are now to be vacat-
ed. The Bar of Charleston have therefore
resolved that the foregoing preamble ex-
presses their views and sentiments on this
OCCASION:
Resoloed, That in taking leave of the Hon.
Henry Deas Lesesne, now presiding in this
Court, the Bar of Charleston hereby testify
their sense of his character and integrity rs
man, his ability and learning as o Judge,
and his uniform courtesy and kindness as q
presiding magistrate-witht their best wishes
for his future prosperity.
The Hon. Wilmot G. DeSaussure frose,
and in few happy and touching remarks,
endorsed on behalf of the Bar, the pream-
BILE and resolution. He alluded to the fact
that his name had for over eighty years
been connected with the Court of Equity,
either as practitioner, or as presiding chan
cellor. Surrounded by those who, by their
ability and learning, had ministered in the
temple of justice, whose doors were about
to be closed. he rendered his hearty tribute
to all that had been said, and desired to
mingle his voice with that of the Bar, in
appreciation of those who had presided over
Its minlstrations. and in reprobaton of that
spirit OF mis- named progress, which would
uproot and desolate an honored past
at the conclusion Of Mr.. DeSaussurc's
remarks, Chancellor Lesesne rose, and spoke
with evident and impressive feeling He
stated that the compliment thus paid him
by his brethren of the bar had been as un-
looked for as it was grateful. His life had
been passed among his own people and in
the home of his nativity. The honor which
had been rendered him in this unexpected
tribute was peculiarly acceptable, and to the
end at his life he could not but feel grateful
for such noble testimonial of his discharge
OF duty, and OF his having preserved the
warm appreciation and friendship of the
bar. He returned his thanks again for their
renewed confidence and their expression of
sentiments, and extended both to the State,
the people and the bar, his kindest wishes
for their prosperity and happiness
lion: James B. Campbell, at the concu-
sion OF Chancellor Lesesne's remarks, said
that there was not heart that did not
vlbrate to tho breaking up of the court as n
calamity. Scarcely any event could be
moro OF calamity. The occasion put n
great responsibility upon the largest convo-
cation OF the Gar ever assembled, to avert as
far as possible. the calamity, and to alleviate
its effects. The responsibility for the future
rested upon the bar and nowhere else. It
was with the legal profession that the liber-
ties OF the people are alone secure. Right
never died. 1t might be trodden under.
but trodden ont never.
Chancellor Lesesne then rose in his seat.
and amid the gravest silence and the deepest
feeling, said: 81 now announce this court
closed"
Thus has passed from existence, tribu-
nal which dates its foundation from the