Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-08-17
tribute to major RuIIocIE.
Aessrs. Editors:

Il he dnnOunccnle at al your paper
of the death of Micaiah Bullock,
was to his friends, not only the Oc-
casion of genuine sadness, but it
brought wildly to their remem-
brance, the many virtues, moral and
mental. with which his life had been
adorned.
In whatever sphere he happened /
to move, or in whatever duty he /
was called upon to perform, he most |
forcibly exemplified the innate puri- |
ty of his heart, his true devotion to |
principle. Truly, therefore it may |
be said, that he was no ordinary |
man, and that his death has depriv- |
ed jackson of an upright citizen; |
the Bar of a learned and justly ven |
Grated member and Tennessee of a /
statesman, honest, conscientious and
enlightened.
But il is not tho purpose of this
communication to indulge in alaud-
atory panegyric upon the achieve
ments of the deceased; 1t proposes
the rather, to present short sketch
of his life, as just tribute to his
memory, and to influence such as
are about commencing the "battle
of life" without the aid of wealth,
or of friends, like him to depend
upon a noble aim and an indomita-
BILE will.
The deceased was q native of
North Carolina, and was during his
tender years taught by his father,
the value and Importance of indus
trious habits. Alternately engaged
in the labors of the field, or in at
tending neighboring schools, he was
! neither a sluggard, nor a dOlt, but
whether as labOrer or as student,
did his duty well.
Thus reared to manhood, pos
sesed of fair educational advantages
and conscious of the power within
him, he was prepared to act for
himself. Tennessee at that time
presented to adventurous and am
bilious young men, a most pleasant
and inviting field. Thither, with
out capital, other than a good name,
q cultivated mind and a determined
will, the subject of this sketch re-
moved. Selecting Murfreesboro as
| the place of his residence, and the
| law for his profession, he proceeded
to prepare himself for it; but being
satisfied that during such prepara-
l A4OAA NOuAu 4AOt 9uPPOAN AAAAA1CAA
with his limited means, he became
| the master of a school. In the two
| fold capacity of preceptor and of
| law student, his laboFs were severe
and incessant; but he pursued them
steadily, faithfully and patiently,
and while he earned for himself the
reputation of an honest and sue
cessful educator, he was pronounced
worthy of the name and high posi-
ton of q lawyer. Being now ready
to practice law, he resigned his
school and removed to Shelbyville.
He did not remain long in this place,
not, however, because of barriers
to his success, nor because his solid
qualities had not won for him warm
and trusted friends. Seeing in the
western portion of Tennessee, as he
supposed, a better and a more ex-
tended arena, upon which he might
win as well fortune, as reputation,
he reluctantly gave up the pleasant
associations which he had formed
in Shelbyvile and located in Lexing-
ton, Henderson county, where he
was long a resident, and where he
obtained a high and most enYiable
character as lawyer and citizen.
No man was more justly esteemed;
nor did any one possess a stronger
hold upon the popular heart of this
county than he. Not only were cli-
ents constant visitors to his Office,
but he was, over worthy and for
midable competitors, repeatedly
sent to the General Assembly.
But he was not always to remain
a loved and honored citizen of Hen
derson. His marriage with an esti-
mable and intelligent lady of Madi-
son county in 1871, determined his
removal to Jackson. In this place
he was not unknown, his good repu-
tation had preceded him, and it
soon became evident that the great
esteem in which he was held by the
people of Henderson, was equally
shared by those of jackson and OF
Madison. In 1915, Madison county
chose him as her legislative repre-
sentative, and in 1857, mainly
through the influence of her dele
gates, he was without being a can
didate, or expecting the honor,
nominated and elected joint repre-
sentative from Henry, Carroll, Glib
son and Madison counties. With
the legislative session of 1857, he
retired from the political field, and
again became as jealous and con-
slant student of the law as he had
been while preparing for license.
AS a legislator, Micajah Bullock
was influential and successful. His
practical wisdom, combined with
his profound knowledge OF the
science of law, enabled him to read
lily determine the character of legis-
lation needed, and while he was al
ways mindful of local interests
which he carefully guarded and pro-
tected-he neither forgot, nor ig-
nored the general welfare of the
State.
Besides originating and assisting
in shaping into law, measures which
have added much to the value and
excellence of the jurisprudence of
Tennessee, it may be said that he
was the father of the present system
of Chancery practice and pleading.
A leading member Of the legislative
committee, which collated enact
ments into what is known as the
"Code of TENNESSEE" as long as
that valuable book has an existence,
his name will be remembered.
But if he were successful as a leg
islator, who can gainsay that he was
equally SO as lawyer? Cultivating
more the science OF law than the
beauties of elocution, he was not
in the popular sense Of the term, an
advocate. In his speeches at the
bar, he neither INDUCED in rhetoric,
nor in empty defamation; but so
logical was his reasoning, and so
clear was his elucidation and appli-
cation of legal principles, shat he
always commanded the highest re-
spect, as well from judge as Jury.
| True, he did not in every instance.
gain his clients cause; but he was
nevertheless a successful lawyer.
Particularly may this be said to be
so, in causes which he had exclu-
sively prepared. As devotedly as
a son ever loved his mother, SO the
deceased loved his profession
When not upon his circuit, nor sick,
he was always to be found in his
office, either preparing his causes,
or examining some leading princi-
/ pie, or adjudication. In a word, If
he did not achieve riches, he accom-
plished that which he preferred to
| them-he made himself master of his
profession-he died lawyer with
out reproach.
Concluding this sketch, it is pro-
per to add, that the deceased has
left behind him a record pure and
untarnished, and while one who