The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-02

II
trable e1-Chlef Justice Dlnkin was called to
/ to the chair. -
| REMARKS, ,eFxNoN. W. eG DEsAUSsURE.
| Mr.. Chashs6a aaSe assembled on this
occasion for q very unusual purpose; for It Is
circumstances almost unknown In South Caro-
| lima that ONE In the prime Of life and in the
| full vigor Of his intellect and manhood should
retire from the honors of the judicial bench of
the State. AS was said by Judge Carpenter,
however. a few moments ago. an imperative
comparative quiet and dignity OF his otaclal
position TO embark upon other duties. which
he considered Of greater import.
I To those Of US who have practiced before him
for the past two years, 1t Is pleasure to bear
| testimony to the manner In which he has dis
charged the responsibilities Of his office. Ee
came among us an entire strange wttn our
prejudices naturally excited against him be-
cause he was stranger He came among US
while we were still heated with the remtnis-
ences OF a long and bloody struggle. He came
| to us at time when our law was upturned;
when old things had passed away and the new
had not come In; when there was an accumu-
fation Of judicial business In the courts such as
has never been known in this country. The
earnest efforts Of those who had preceded him,
laboring by day aud night, had failed to clear
the dockets, because the novelty and magni-
tude of the questions were 80 great, and the
passions of men were still 30 excited, as to rem
der 1t almost impossible to eliminate the truth
from the mass Of new and unfamiliar laws. 1t
Epenter took his seat upon the bench. But he
brought to the office untirlng energy, ability,
eanteRrity, and quickness Of apprehension
HHich enabled him to grapple quickly with and
EdAcide the vexed questions Of this court.
Eas he realized, and so acted promptly, the in-
sportance of meeting the issues Immediately
presented, knowing that there were courts be-
referred. And he gave to these Judicial sub
lects Idll, fair and impartial trials; and be-
lfeve Ispeak the sentiment of nv brethren of
the bar, when say that, asa whole, his con-
duct has given great satisfaction.
Some among us, who have had adverse de-
cfslons from him, could not but differ at the
time with the Judgment he rendered, and yet
we could not but respect the opinion so pro-
nouncea. That respect has continued to In
crease, because we learned to confde In bis
honesty Of purpose, and bis determination to
award what he co4celvedto be jnhice.
For one, therefore,. Iam frankfto say that
the prejudicesca three years aga have been
entirely oblitetatsd, and 7 haveleerned to re-
gard Judge Carpenter, who came asstranger
among us. as 6Reswho has fendeayored to do
justice. In parting, then;71 WITH Judge
Carpenter, we part with one $who has
done honor to the.a-Bench,1sto the State
and to our clients, While ats the same time he
has treated the membetsh hfs,tsfe bar with that
courtesy and impartiality which has always
In conclusloa, Idesire TO offer the following
preamble and resolutions: ''si.'1
Whereas, The Bar Of Charleston have learn
Eedrhat tho Hon. R. B. Carpenter Is about to
resign his position as Judge of this Circuit, the
duties Of which Office he has discharged with
distinguished ability and fidelity.
And whereas they deem 1t but a just tribute
to place upon record their estimate Of the i'm,
partiality, courtesy and signal talents which
have characterized his judicial course ou the
bench; therefore, be 1t
RESOLVED, That the Bar Of Charleston, assem-
bled, do tender to the Hon. R. B. Carpenter
their profound recognition of the high charac-
ter, judicial integrity and ability with which he
has presided In the courts OF justice.
!. RESOLVED, That we will preserve lively re-
membrance Of the manner in which he has
ever held the scales Of Justice with even hand
and yindicated the di::.1 3 and purity Of the
law.S
RESOLVED, That the p.,,ldlng officer of this
meeting be requested to convey the above
resolutions to the Hon. r. B. Carpenter, and
that they be spread upon the minutes Of the
court.
REMARKS OF GENERAL JAMES CONNER
I take pleasure, Mr.. Chairman, in seconding
the resolutions which have lust been read. II
has. believe, been the uniform custom OF this
bar to present to each judge, at the close of his
first court. resolutions expressing its respect
for the Judge, and its appreciation Of the man
ner In which he has discharged the duties Of
his Office. The custom was not observed In
regard to Judge Carpenter. He was stran-
ger to us. He was elevated to judicial position
In the era Of new men, new laws and new gov
ernment, and with CHARACTERISTIC conservatism
the bar reserved its opinion until time and eX-
perience should confirm or dispel its doubts.
Under the judicial career thus commenced
the bar has for nearly two years pursued Its
accustomed labors, and during that period the
most perfect harmony has existed between
announced to us his retirement, and we are
assembled to express to him, in ON appropriate
manner, the respect which his discharge Of bis
duties has inspired.
OF the dignity and importance Of the judi
cial officer, no word need oe said here. But we
do not, all OF us. perhaps, so fully appreciate
The judicial position is isolated. The Judge
differs from all other public oticers. They
may look to public opinion for guidance and
rely upon popular sympathy for support.
The Judge cannot. 1t Is often his high
est duty not only to ignore public opinion,
but to maintain the supremacy of the law, In
direct opposition to the sentiment Of the hour.
Administering the Inv In Its integrity, he must
rise superior to all desire Unpopular favor, and
all apprehension of popular censure Nor can
he vfndIcate himself The consciousness of
right is unquestionably the strongest support
to the Judicial magistrate, but next to this,
and inferior only :, 1t, Is the support of an
honest, able, fearless bar Without It, nudge
is shorn OF much Of his usefulness; with - he
may rest conddent that sooner or Later public
opinion will endorse the Judgment Of the bar.