The New York herald., 1870-09-27
0 d 7 r q a r z.
Judge Roberi G. Griar.


We regret to announce this morning the death or
Robert G. Crer, Associate Justice or the United
states supreme Court. This sad event took place in
Philadelphla on Sunday evening. Several years ago
he was stricken with paralysis, which to consider
able extent prevented his performing his official
duties with that regularity and despatch Tor which
he was distinguished. He resisted the encroach.
ments OF old aye until December OF last year, when
he was compelled to retire from the bench On the
following January ne formally took leave OF his as
soclares In Washington and returned Philadelphia
to spend the remainder O! his DAYS. His death was
not unexpected. During the past week he had lain
insensbie, ana dissolution had been almost hourly
expected.
Judge Grerw "a native OF PENNSYLVANIA, and WAS
oOrn IN cumberland county the 5th OF Marcn
1874, his father being Rev. Isaac Grier, clergyman
well known III ms community as "a piOus coRscien-
tious man. The early years OF the late Judge were
spent on his iather's farm. Here he acquired rud
mentary ledu. alton; but when he had arrived at the
proper age ne was sent TO Dickinson College
from whence he graduated with nigh honors in 1872
rhe ability ne had displayed as u scholar gained him
an oner Oi position as teacher Immediately after
his leaving college. lie accepted and held IL for one
year, when he removed to Northumberland county
where his rather had established an academy. AT
this Institution he acted assistant until the death
OF the clergyman, in 1915, wnen he succeeded him
principal.
The sedentary occupation OF teacher was how
ever, unstuted 10 n man oi Mr.. Grers temperament
tie was ambitious or entering into other pro
fessiOn which gave a wider scope To the exercise OF
his talents. Accordingly ne devoted his leisure mo.
inents to the study OF the Law. ana in 1917 was at
mn1ed ,llnn ,s, 20 ,he ba, The academy was
moved to Columbia county, setting az Blooms
burg. The prospect here being uninviiiny
he left the place after brief residence went 10
DanVllie, where, IN brief PERIOD he obtained an
extensive and profitable practice ana won an envIa
Die reputstion for legal knowledge ANA ability.
fears passed on and found hllD still engaged In ie
law. He participated IN political movements and
was well known as democrat; oe we doubt IL he
ever sought was candidate Tor a political
once. Ills nina eIuluenJly judicial
so when bis tine came FOR obtaiing position t WAS
natural enough tha' 1t should be one Gu the bench.
Mr. Orlef had been twenty-one years practising AT
the bar before ne became Judge. Ia 1888 the Gov
ernor or PENNSYLVANIA appointed him President
Judge oI Tue DISTRICT Cohrt oi Allegheny county. 1t
was an once OF importance as wen as OF distinction
and that IL was liied with marked credit aud ability
Is well known. For the purpose OF performing It's
duties Judge Gfier removed 10 Allegheny CITY, where
ne resided for sen years, aud where he ~ still re-
membered with The warfnest feelings OF respect and
! friendship Dytne citizens
Judge Gricr had become prominent "a a urist ana
as SUPPORTER Of the pr,ncpies OF the democratic
| an Associote Justice Of the Supreme Court OF the
United states to1sncceed Justice Baldwin. wider
field now offered itself Tor the exercise OF his judicial
ability IL would be Impossible TO partcularfze all
! the prominent cases when came before him ana
upon winch he rendc red decisions But lew OF lhe
decisions rende ed is CTculr Judge, were overrued
Oy the supreme court IN banc. In 1850 he wrote
letter. letter. which was published, defending the
next year be presided over the famous trial
OF Castner hanway, charged with resisting the exc
Subou vi tHiS law lHe pOsitiOn assumed Judge
Grer, although strongly ia favor Of the enactment
ard III advocacy Of It's rigid enforcement. was
against the charge that Hanway had committed
treason, ana the sun was that the prisoner was
acquitted During the rebellion he gave 10 the gov
| ernment hearty and consistent support. He re.
JeCted the dogma OF SECESSION Insisting that there
was nothing IN tie constitution TO warrant II. His
entire career as justice was, III fact marked
ny great uprIgitness ana ability. He was not re-
garded az q brilliant 81 much ~ a profound LAWYER
ana though al lines considered obstinate in his
Opinions no one ever accused HIM OF exercising his
dulles IN any other than just spirit. His whole
course on the bench during the consideration of
questions arising from national legislation on the
subject OF slavery led some or the people Of his State
10 regard him with disayOr--a feeling that seemed
10 be retained even after the vexed subject had been
removed by tue wan
The letter or President Grant to Justice Grier ac-
cepting ms resignation Il the best conmenda ton
that can be written. He said -" IN looking npou
your long ana honorable In the public service
it must be especially gratifying TO yourself remem
Der, as IL IL my agreeable duty aud privilege on
TINS occasion TO recognize, thegreat service which
you, were able TO render to your country in the
darkest hour of her history, by The vgor and pa
trIotlc nr1npess thus disctlv Win which You up
held the just powers OF the government aud vn
dicated she rIght OF the nation underline constiju
ton 10 maintain ifs eXlgcnCp.r.