Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-06
REsIesArses. or suDeE nEIsos


ACAA0AA "a 1AhC A1r&As
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 1S71.-The members
OF the bar met in the Supreme Court room
at O'Clock, according to adjournment, ex-
Governor N. S. Brown in the Chair. Judge
10. Z. Guild, Chairman of the committee
appointed yesterday to report resolutions
expressive of the sentiments of the bar of
Middle Tennessee relative to the resigna-
ton OF Judge Nelson, presented the fol-
lowing:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
When man of Thomas A. r. Nelson's
high moral sense, ehivalrous devotion to
duty, indefatigable industry and eminent
qualification for the position hesheld, retires
in the full energy AMI vigor of his faculties
from the Supreme Bench, aplace sOrespon-
slble and important to the whole people of
the State, and so difficult well and worthily
TO NIL, 1t is an occasion calling for the ex-
preston OF the unfeigned regret, not only
OF the Bar, but ofthe whole commonwealth.
This would be the case at any time. But
with crowded docket, requiring the cease
less labor Of the whole Court, for the whole
time it is in session in each division Of the
State, 1t is not simply the expression Of
selfish regret Of the Bar TO lose at this time
one 50 eminently capable of doing an I'M
menSe amount Of work, and doing it well
and ably, to which we now give utterance,
but in behalfOf the general public we would
manifest the universal sense of the loss ex-
perlenced in the retirement ofJudge Nelson
from thu Supreme Court. He has been on
the Bench one brief year. But at no point
Of its history has the State more needed a
man Of Judge Nelson's bold and fearless
character to maintain and give utterance,
in ~
the rights of the people ard of the State.
That he has shrunk from no share of his
responsibility at this iuncture, his opinions
as reported will show. And when the ext
gencies ofthe hour pass away, the State and
his friends will need no prouder monument
Of his usefulness and fame than these de-
cisions afford.
The uniform courtesy of manner and
kindness Of heart ever manifested to all
who had to appear before him, and especially
towards the junior members of the profess
sion, won for Judge Nelson the personal re-
gard and friendship of every member of the |
Bar. Our best wishes attend him in his re- |
tirement. May his life of usefulness and dis |
tinction long continue to reflect honor upon !
his native State. Whether in private sta |
ton as an bOnOred and respected member |
of the Commonwealth, or in whatever Do |
sition OF responsibility the public interests |
may hereafter require his eminent service, |
he will assuredly deserve, as he has grace |
fully won and worn, the honors and re-
wards of the faithful public servant and ex-
emplary citizen, enjoying in every station |
the confidence and esteem of his fellow |
citizens and Of his professional associates. |
Therefore,
Be it Resolved, That the chairman ofthi
meeting be appointed in its behalf to pre-
sent a copy Of these proceedings to the Su-
preme Court, now in session, with a request
that the same be spread upon the minutes
of the court; that the Secretary of the
meeting be instructed to forward a copy of
the same TO Judge Nelson, and that the At
torney General and Reporter for the State
is requested to insert them in his next vol
ume Of reports.
All of which is respectfully submitted:
JosEPHUs c. GUILD,
Chairman
w. II. STEPHENS,
ID. CAMPBELL,
T. w. TURLEY,
NJ. NJ. BRIEN, ST.,
JOHN W. HEAD,
j. B. HEIsKELL,
JOHN G. GAUT,
JAMES E. BAILEY,
W. B. REESE.
After the adoption of this report the
meeting adjourned.
NELL S. BROWN, Chm'n.
JESSE q. WALLACE, Sec'y.