The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-20
In Memoriam.

1 In NlomOflhh.----
Died. at Unionville, on the Goth March last,
the Hon. THOMAS N. DAwKINS-a name for many
years connected closeiy with the history OF the
State; man for all his time honored by those
who respected the high qualities for which he WE
| distinguished: beloved by those who came within
the inner circle In which his social and domestic
character shed its brightest light, and over which
| the warm inspirations of his heart exercised a
happy, hallowed influence.
He was man OF the State and for the State.
Born and reared amid the historic circumstances
which, from 1850 to 1850. trained the mind and de.
veloped the character Of those who in that period
came forward to play their part in lfe's great
theatre he entered early upon public duty, and
soon appeared in the councils OF the State, the
representative of those among whom he was
born, with whom he was to live, and by whom he
was borne to his last resting place.
In those councils men were assembled who al
ready had achieved reputations-while others,
with him, were entering in the race they were to
run. For him it was not mere experiment.
Success had vouchsafed itself with the earliest
exhibition he gave OF his powers. And at the
close of the lrst session Of the Legislature OF
which he was member there came to him the
admiration, respect and confidence Of all with
whom he served.
1t could not have been otherwise. His,instinct
and purposes were pure and unsullied; his judg-
ment was calm, impartial and merciful. He was
recognized as one who would not stoop to fatter
or deceive, and who had fixed standard for
himself in his own high conscientious discharge
Of duty.
His style OF speaking was CAIN, addressed to
the reason of those who heard him. and so entire
ly given to the consideration Of things. that 1t
never provoked those asperities in debate which
result from. the reference to persons.
And with him triumph in debate was the trl-
umph Of TRUTH not Of the speaker. Appreciative
of the good opinion of those who were near him,
he had no desire for mere compliment. When
truth and Justice were indicated, in that his
pride was gratified.
He was merciful and kind in his judgments OF
men. However he dlfered-and he lived In times
when differences In opinion produced bitter feel
ings-with him such differences never affected
his feelings towards or judgment Of others. For
he was emlnently charitable-to be 50 was with
him catholic spirit.
With his high abity-with his higher virtues
he commanded the respect OF all. From his seat
In the Legislature he was transferred TO the
responsible duty OF State counsel, as one OF
the solicitors; and no one ever, In the exercise Of
Its duties, more faithfully performed the large
functions OF his office. In that office refusing to
recognize the unworthy distinction Of success in
the conviction OF the accused, as the inducement
for his conduct, he prosecuted when his even
tempered reason satisfied him that justice, public
Justice, required the punishment OF the offender.
No popular outcry could force him to convict
against his own sense Of right, still less influence
him to desst, If to proceed was to him the course
OF duty.
Such qualities pointed to him as one who should
receive that highest OF all trusts, the commission
Of q Judge. And when 1t came to him he accepted
1t as the evidence Of the confidence Of his State.
Never did the judicial robe fall on the shoulder OF
any one more fitted to bear it worthiy. And in
the brief career allotted to him in this depart
ment he Justified, in every manner, the selection
which had been made.
How, In the convulslon which followed the close
of the war, he, with the other judges, was re-
moved, is familiar to all.
To saw that he chafed under this blow Is but TO
say that he was man-and a man OF the State
and man OF the State who had discharged Its
highest trust without fear, favor or affection.
His State-the State he loved-the State that
honored him, had been struck In the blow under
which he fell. And 1t may be given to oil TO IN
derstand how while the hands Of those In power
tore frem him his robe, their feet trampled down
the laws he had lived to administer. He was
Judge; he had outl!ved the law; what then was
lifeH
To him thenceforth 1t was In that home, where
the lindliest affections clustered around oil who
were under Its shelter, to those who IN that nome
were Its household deIties, who made 1t the GEN.
tire OF refined hospitality, temple In which
there was constant sacrince to all the virtues
that elevate and adorn.
1t would be moral sacrilege to say more. TO
think of that home, ofthose who have been there,
Of that one so true In her devotion to him, stul
there, and then ofhim dead and OF him no longer
there, is to picture to ourselves change than
which none can be sadder. Who can forget the
smile, the grasp, the welcome that greeted eafh
friend or guest who crossed the threshold OF that
home:
Deep, too deep, the iron had entered his heart;
but no complaint fell from him. To the discharge
OF his private duties he gave all his care. To pro.
vide for those he loved, to prepare them for his
loss, to leave them so guarded that they would
not suffer, became his great and consuming care.
And he died In the effort; died true to bis con-
yictions OF duty; died as he had lived, beloved,
honored and respected.
Some-perhaps not many-yet live who Wit
messed his advent, watched his course, and Still
live to have seen him Us he passed from the sight
OF man, and sunk into rest. Their testimony will
more than sustain all that has been said. He was
too good man to wish to die before the time
that was appointed. But when that tine came;
when he had guarded against trouble those whom
he dearly loved, he was ready. The State In
which he was born, in which his highest and
purest purposes were associated, had ceased to
be. AS one OF its ministers and honored sons
he had seen 1t trampled and borne down. And
with 1t fell his hope-his pr!de-hls life.
Tribute of Respect.