Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-03-14
JLo ,J;foo, of the Alexandria Gazette.


There is much feeling and deep regret ex-
pressed among the members of the Bar and
business men of this community GENERALLY, at
the opposition manifested iu one Of the counties
70 the rc-election Of Judge Fl. ". Thomas, OF
Fairfax county, to the place which he recently,
and so ably and worthiIy filled, that of Judge
Of the Judicial Circuit o. which this county
forms part Ii Is not that the capacity and
fitness Of those, whose claims are urged by
their friends Tor this Office, arc doubted. Those
who have been spoken OF in connection with ii,
are known to be honest, fit and capable, but
considering the manner of Judg erh:maa stalk
inc off," and the universal satisfaction he gave
and the eminent ability he displayed in the
discharge OF his onerous duties, as Judge, par
ticulary upon questions OF more complex III
turc, surrounded rs they were by military IN
terruptions, and the interposiion OF the l.. :
authorities than. perhaps, were preScnled! IN
apy other judicial Circuit in the State. ciicit'
inc the approval even Of those who are now IN
the front OF the opposition to him, hi, rcjec.
| tion BIZ the LEGISLATURE would be IN Implied
nm most unjust rcbukc to Al officer who per
formed his duties in such mauncr a. 4" inrrll
and receive the commentator oil well done
| oood and faithful servant" from the bar OF the
| entire circuit.
| When the famous coutiscation aud tax cases
| came before Judge Thomas, multiplied IN NUN
hcr. complicated in their nature, Involving new
and important principles of Constitutional and
statutory law, while military satraps sat at his
| side on the Decentralization to his Judlcla!
dccrces from the u. S. Courts being constant
~ interposed, spies watching the opportunity
and the pretext Tor his decapltatlon he never
fauItered or swerved from the plain path o.!
duty. Patient, but inhexible, he pursued this
path so as to challenge the respect OF bis most
| violent opponents the decisions which he rem.
dered 10 these cases stand as lasting monuments
! to bis hrmncsS as a Judge a.; we'll as to MS la
Dor and bearing as a lawyer.
| Wbv, 10 view of the state OF things upon
which We are just entering, any one should seek
to set aside Judge Thomas, we are unable to
| conceive Certainly at no time in the history OF
our jurisprudence are lirmness, learning and
experience more requisite on the part OF cur
Circuit Judges than now.
| We will conclude this hastily written com
muuicstion by asking you to publish the letter
| signed by the members of the Fauquicr bar,
| transmitted to Judge Thomas by that eloquent
and accomplished iurist J. R. Tucker, upon
his removal from the bench. To the perusal
and careful consideration of this letter we most
respectfully invite tho members Of the Legis
lature, on whom the duty OF electing devoves.
! ALEXANDRIA.
Testimonial of Respect to Judge III.
w. Thomas.
The following letter signed by the members
| of the Bar of Fauuuler county, and the ot1cers
of the Court has been transmitted TO Judge
| Henry W. Thomas, by j. Randolph Tucker {:
WARRENToN, April 9th, 1860.
lion. Henry ". Thomas Dear Sir: The
members OF the Bar and officers OF the Circuit
| Court of Fauquier county, deem 1t due to you,
as we'll as to their own feelings, IN parting with
YOU a. the presiding Judge OF this Clrcult, to
testify their regret at the condition o! things IN
our State. which has resulted in your removal
from that position.
Far three years, during which we have been
| associated with you, we desire to say that your
| uniform courtesy and consideration for the Bar
and the Officers OF your CourL-your patient at.
tenron to tusiness-and your Industry and
ability in the discharge OF your onerous duties,
| have made our relations TO you agreeable anu
satisfactory in an eminent degree
You have been called to decide many ques-
tons OF great difficulty, and OF unusual deiicacy,
az period when the passions oil men dclnandcd
an impartial and conscientious performance OF
your function and none who have been ianl
liar with your judicial career can fail to believe
that you have anxiousy brought 10 bear uPG2
YOUR Official duties an honest purpose, anu oil
that legal learning and ability, which every one
will freely accord to you.
We wish to tender you our cordial acknowl-
edgmenls for your personal kiUlness to our
selves, and to express our hope that. in your
future lite wherever your lot may hr cast,
prosperity aud happiness my attend you.
We remain, with sincere esteem, your lrcnl!,
| Signed By the members OF the Bar