Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-02-07
JUSTICE GRIER,
An Interesting Scene Upon His Retiring
from the Supreme Bench.

From the Washington Chronicle, Feb. 2.
On the opening of court yesterday,
the Chief Justice remarked:
Yesterday was the last day Of the
service Of our brother Grier in this
court. We all regretted the intirml-
ties which constrained his resigna-
ton. Upon the adjournment OF the
court his brethren waited upon him
in a body, and offered their assurances
of gratitude for his services, venera-
tiOn for his character, and best wishes
for his happiness, in written form.
He has replied to that communication
this morning. The court, without
reading the papers, Will order that
both be entered on the minutes.
THE COURT TO Mr.. JUSTICE GRIER.
SUPREME COURT Room,
WAsHINGTON, January 81, 1870.
Dear Brother: Your term of judi
ciai service as justice Of the Supreme
Court of the United States will close
to-day, by your resignation. Wecan-
not permit an event so interesting to
pass without expressing 70 you some
thing Of the feeling which it itexcites in
US; Tor some of US have been long as
oDNldttA VIII y DlA5 eALAAAs AAlOuF,AA N4AN a.
SOciatiOn of Others has been Tor brieier
periods, We ali honor and love you.
Almost a quarter of a century ago
you brought TO the labOrs of the court
a mind of great original vigOr, en-
dOwed with singular powers Of appre-
hension and discrimination; enriched
by profound knowledge of the law,
and prepared for the new work before
you by large experience in a tribu-
nal of which you were the sole judge.
Already you possessed the esteem,
the respect, and the entire confidence
of the bar and the suitors who fire.
quented your court, and Of the people
among whom you administered jus
tice.
Transferred to a more conspicuous
position, you wore larger hOnors. The
sentiments Of the profession and OF
the people of single city and State
became the sentiments of the Ameri-
can bar and of the whole country.
We who have been nearest to you
best know how valid is your title to
this consideration and affection. With
an almost intuitive perception Of the
right; with an energetic detestatiOn
for justice; with a broad and cOmpre-
hensive understanding of legal and
equitable principles, you have ever
contributed your full share to the dis
cussiOu and settlement of the numer-
Gus and often perpleXing question
which duty has required us TO lnvesti-
gate and determine.
This aid we gratefully acknowledge
and can never forget. Nor can We
ever cease to remember the consider.
ate magnanimity with which you
have often recalled or modified eX,
pressions of which yOur.own reflec
ticns have dtsapprOved, as likely tC
wound, unnecessarily, the sensibilitie,
of your brethren Of the bench T tic
bar.
Your eminent services as a judge
command our respect and gratitude
your magnanimity and kindness as
man, in our official and personal in
! tercOuTse, have drawn 10 you, irreSist.
ably, our veneration and love.
We deeply lament that infirmities
| incident TO advancing years, cOnstraiu
you TO retire from the post you have
Sc long and so hOnOrably filled. BUt
though you will no longer actually
participate ia our labOTS here, We
| trust that you will still be with us in
spirit and sympathy. We shall still
seek aid from your cOunsels; we shall
| still lookfO qualification from your
| society. May you live many years e
give US both. May every earthly
blessing cheer, and the assured hopC
/ Of a blessed immortality, through
| Christ, our Saviour, brighten each
year with ever increasing radience.
With warm affection and profound
respect, We remain your brethren 0
/ the bench,
SALMON p. CHASE, Chief Justice.
SAMUEL NELSON, Associate Justice
NATHAN CLIFFORD,
/ NOAH IL. SwAYNE,
SAM i. MILLER,
DAVID DAVIS,
STEPHEN j. FIELD,
Hon. r.. g. GRIER. Associate Justice
Supreme Court, United states.
Mr.. JUSTICE GRIER's REPLY.
WASHINGTON, February 1, 1870.
Nh Dear Brethren: Your letter
road to me by the Chief Justice las
evening, quite Overcame me, and
could then make no reply. promised
to respond in writing.
Nv pen, even now, cannot eXpress
the profound emotions it awakened
/ sentiments OF esteem and affection
toward each one OF you; sentiment
OF regret, not unmingled, | trust, wit
resignation, that increasing lnhrmi
ties have compelled our separation
and sentiments of gratitude for sucl
n testimonial from my brethren at tn
close of my long term Of service.
In my home in Pennsylvania
whether life be long or short, you ma
resi- assured ] shall always cherish io
eacil Of you warm affection aud sym
pathy.
That Gods blessing may rest upo
the Supreme Court Of the Unite
/ States, and upon each Of its member
il the fervent prayer Of your late a.
4.