Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-12-20
UNITED STATES COURT FOR
WESTERN WISCONSIN.

L ne nfSJ term Oh the united States
Court for Western Wisconsin opened
at La Crosse at two o'clock P. NJ, on
Monday, 9Th December 1870-Judge
James @. Hopkins, Of Madison, pre-
siding. On taking his seat upon the
bench, Judge Hopkins delivered the
following address to the bar from
which it will be seen that he enters
upon the discharge Of his duties with
modesty, and with the purpose of
being upright and courteous in his
dealings with suitors and with the
profession:
JUDGE HOPKINS ADDRESS TO THE BAR.
In entering upon the discharge of
the duties Of the Office of Judge of
the District Court Of the United
States, for the new district of Wis
consin, | cannot refrain from express
sing to my brethren Of the Bar, the
distrust that | entertain Of my abili-
ty to meet the demands that will be
made upon me in the performance Of
the duties of the office. The respOn-
sibilities are very great; and although
trained to be a lawyer, the duties Of
Judge are very different and re-
quiro the exercise Of very different
faculties The lawyer labors and
studies 10 advance the interest of his
client, aud to that end he directs his
research and the energy Of his well
stored mind but a Judge should
know no man or party, should en-
doavor 20 do justice in each case &C.
cording to law, apply the law impair
TALLY in every case without fear, ia
vor or ntfection,-in the language Of
the oath we have to take "to admin
lister justice without respect to per-
son-and do equal right to the poor
and rich, and perform all tho duties
incumbent upon US, as such Judge,
according to the best Of our ability
and understanding and agreeably TO
the constitution and laws of the Uni
ted States" and to educate ones self
to thus look at u case, must require
time and discipline, but no man can
properly discharge the duties until
he can do so. 1t will he my aim to
administer the law as it is, but in the
attempt | shall expect many times to
all short, and to but imperfectly ac-
eomplish my purpose. But | ask the
indulgence Of tho Bar and shall de-
pend upon their enlightened judg-
mont to support and sustain me, aud
failing to secure which | shall feel
that | have not met the demands of
the Office or discharged its RESPONSE
bic duties in the manner | ought, for
although an attorney or counsel feels
disappointed often at the decisions OF
q Court at the time, and may consid-
er its decisions erroneous, yet when
the feeling that the trial OF the case
naturally excites subsidies and the
attorney or counsel calmly reviews
the case, if he can feel that the Judge
has given a candid, impartial and
honest decision, his respect for the
Court or Judge is not diminished
And thus knowing the disposition
Of the Bar and their eminent fairness
and literality of Judgment, | know
all that a Judge has to DO is to strive
with the ability he may possess to
DO right, act dispassionately, oour-
teously, honestly, yet firmly, to win
the respect and confidence of the
profession and assure you. gentle
men, that such will be my intention;
and trust that may have the con.
fdence and support of the Bar to
make the administration of justice in
this district promote the honesty and
happiness Of the people, and excite
in them that respect and admiration
for the law that is necessary in all
countries to good order and good
| government
With these objects in view, now
proceed to the business of the Court
s9~ The height Of the Pi Ute's am.
blton IS to marry a woman with 6
/ inf arf- 90