The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-15
MEETING OF CHARLESTON BAR.
Tributes to the Memory of william
e. MikelI and William Jcrvey.

large number of the members OF the
Charleston Bar assembled In the Equity Court
room. Yesterday, for the purpose of paying
tributes of respect to the memory OF the late
William E. Mikel and William Jervey.
John Phillips Esq, was called to the chair,
and Isaac Hayne. Esq, was requested to act as
secretary.
Mr.. Phillips, upon taking the chair. on
nounced the object ofthe meeting as follows;
We have met, gentlemen of the Bar. to ex-
press unaffected sorrow at the deaths OF our
| late deceased associates, Wliliam Jet'ey auu
William E. htikell.
The loss OF good men is ipcalculab!e. In tie
rapil progress of rime grief becomes sootned,
and in the natural order OF events others Will
occupy their places Ill society; but who can an
| swer satisfactorily the anxious inquiry, Will the
void their deaths occasio1ed ever be ade-
ouate,y filled2 When the bodies of our ament-
| ed friends were Unsigned to the earth, when
wa eazed through the tear-mist at tho last sad
| ceremonies OF closing their graves, was not
the conviction irresistible that talents OF high
order, sterling integrity, modesty which never
shrank from advocating the right or de1enolns
| the weak moral worth adorned with the grace
of religion. had beeo removed ftom our midst
| to attain perfection where the mortal puts on
| immortalityg
Sir. SIikell came to the Bar with anticipa;;
tions OF SUCCESS, which, by his virtues aud
abilities, and irdefatigable industry, he reaiiz-
| ed. Soon after his admission to the Bar he
yss elected a representative from the Parishes
OF St. Philip and ST. Michael to the State Leg
is,ature, when to be a member Of the Legisia-
| tura of this State was distinguished honor.
He was Confederate soldier, aud during ths
continuance Of that serrib contest, he evInced
courage above suspicion, and endured the
most erieyous prlvations without complaint.
In the brave and manly course OF conduct he
| adopted. and was pursuing, his influence was
extending, and he was rising to the command
of public confidence. At his death be .s IN
the spring of life, yet, it age ls calculated eS
useful actions and extraordinary experiences,
he died not 4 young man.
MIR, Jervey was an old practitioner st our
Blr. His character was combination OF IN
obtrusive excellencies. he was purest among
the pure. He was an honest man, "the nobleai
work Of God" Il WAS 10 him pleasure to i'm.
part inform ton; and he delighted in acts 81
generous, d,siuterestel kindnesses. In lis pro.
fasslonal intercourse he always exhibited the
eentleuess OF woman and the hrmness OF man.
He did not often appear as an advocate at the
Bar-vas seldom heard as speaker IN court;
still his reading was extensive, ana nis learning
as lawyer was profound.
II belongs not to this occasion, and | hesl.
late to speak OF their flial piety; their tender
devotion as husbands; their strong affection as
parents: their uaselish fidelity to relatives
ana friends, least T should disturb the sacred.
ness Of that m mourning which haliows the be-
reave1 homes.
Our departed friends have accomplished cd
their destinies, and We. resting from profes
sional cares aud sn1ieties, meet to learn by
their deaths the vanity OF life, to speak OF thelI
virtues as incentives to the living, aud the
most heartfelt tribute OF esteem and regre,
We, the Charleston Bar, can Offer to thou
memories.
be presented to fulfil the purpose Of thi:
meeting.
After a few Introductory remarks, Julian A
Mitchell, Esq, offered the following preamble
aud resolutions:
AR. Chairn,an-In rising to- offer tribute
to the memory of William E. Mikell, do so a;
friend, deeply feeling the loss We all have
sustained.
we became conscious of vacant place ir
the circle Of our brotherhood from the knowl
edge we necessarily possess OF the character
of each member. say necessarily possess,
for the elements Of character which govern
our career are brought out most strikingly ir
our professional relations.
The contests of the forum call forth all OIL
powers. The clash Of mind striving to sue
lectual force. AS to moral strength, where
can 1t he shown better than In the furtherance
of Justice In correcting the bias which client
are creates, and in refusing to advocate the
wrong demanding the Judgment OF right So
too, the social disposition comes ont conspicu
ously in the heat and fever of the opposition
argument-in the intercourse of conference
and negotiation. The one tests the gentlenes:
and breeding of the man, the other his fair
ness and frmness. 1t is peculiarly lifting,
then, for our profession to pay tribute to ths
merits Of those who are gone.
The characteristic of Mr.. Mikell's mind was Its
bold and independent style of thought, tet
tered By the opinions Of no sect. Directness
| aim and earnestuess OF action made him yigo
rous in expression and frank in speech. Hi;
thorough consciousness of right rendered HIN
| impulsive in expressing his convictions, anc
no prudent caution bid him,
"Sttll lip.!oyal to what once was truth,
Struggle new meanings under ancient names"
This quality made him useful in these time;
of change, and the community had begun t
recognize his influence for good, while tht
tone of his public life gave an earnest OF Wha
he would have been.
His ambition was equal to every opportuni
ty. vet its rare moderation was prominent II
every end that he sought. He worked lot INT
gradual progressive development OF mind anc
self, and not for the places OF notorlety ans ni
accident. His advance was measured not Wltl
respect to the position OF others, but oy tne
good he accomplished, and the triends ne nae
endeared to him. His short lie, therefore
was embittered by no feelings of Jealousy, ant
worthy rivalry He looked not upon men 9.
ohstonlac in his naih hut friends and Aids