The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-13

and in December, 1880, elevated to a
seat in the court Of Appeals with John
son and Harper. Upon the abolition of
the Court Of Appeals, he was transferred
to the law bench, and in May, 1850, on
the death Of Judge Richardson, became
President OF the Court of Law Appeals
and Of the Court of Errors. His re-
corded labors, which in amount are un-
surpassed, are to be found in the volumes
OF reports. But his labors and his dis
tinctions were not confined to his chosen
profession. Two colleges of the coun-
try conferred upon him the degree of
Doctor of Laws. and struggling manfully
in every field where he might be useful,
associations, societies, corporations and
churches poured their honors in rich
profusion upon HIM. In December,
1853, he was elected Chief Justice of
our State; thus reaching position,
which, while it gratified the highest pro-
tessional ambition, carried with it the
assurance that his arduous labors on the
bench, through the long period of
third OF century, were appreciated by
the people who knew him best, and to
whose service he was devoted. Judge
O'Neall continued to discharge his
duties to the last, though much en-
feebled for q year or two before his
death. About the middle Of December,
1868. he visited Columbia on judicial
business, and labored for several deys
with his accustomed assiduity. He re-
turned to his home in Newberry, and
died without a struggle, on the 9th of
that month, in the old family mansion
which he loved 80 much. and where he
had resided for forty three years.
HIs MENTAL CONSTITUTION AND ELo-
oUENoE.-In his mental constitution
were united uncommon vigor, acute
ness, quickness of perception and me-
mory. There was no intricaoy of law
which he could not unravel, no depth
which he could not sound. His grasp
was comprehensive, his memory had
among it's stores all that was valuable in
precedent, and few seized so readily the
main points involved in the issue. When
at ths bar, he took rank among our best
lawyers in the up-oonntry, and our
greatest jurists respected him for his
learning and ability. He was specially
distinguished for his fervid eloquence,
and judges and juries were led captive
by its power. He was of Irish extrac-
tion, and his style of oratory partook
largely of the national character. 1t was
warm, impassioned, discursive and rhe.
torical.
Hrs DESPATCH IN BUSINESS His Re-
vERENoE FOR GoD.--Judge O'Neall
united great mental power with extraor-
dinary quiokness and activity. These
qualities are rarely combined, but they
are not incompatible. To know which
cases admit and which do not admit of
calm deliberation, says great writer,
is rare and admirable thing; and also
to be able to meet both in suitable
manner. Such, to a large extent, was
the genius of Judge O'Neall. and to it is
to be asoribed much of his intellectual
greatness. When it is added that he
carried into his station holy reverence
for God, religion pure and undeGled, I
give his browning glory. It was not
that Of Bacon, which he could take up
and lay down again, to further the OBJ
jects Of an unchastened ambition, but it
was the vital principle which gave i'm
pulse to every action, the ever-burning
flame which lighted his pathway through
the labyrinth of life. What reverence
he INDUCED towards his God! That
name was never mentioned but in prayer,
in thanksgiving and in praise. What
an example to his brethren on the
bench. to all with whom he came IN con-
tactl
His La pol.; IN THE CAUSE OF TEMPER.
ANcE. This was cause dear to his
heart, and for thirty years he urged the
claims of total abstinence with all the
zeal of an apostle. 1t is not unworthy
of mention, as it illustrates the moral
force Of his character, that he abandoned
tho use OF spirituons liquors and tobacco
to save u friend. There arc those who
say that he gave undue prominence to
the virtue of temperance. / know that
he was right when he declared dlunker-
ne,s The lowest and most degrading of
all vices; and if it be true that his zeal
sometimes arried him too far, it is alto
gether pardonable. It is sad to believe
that tn; most revolving pictures have
their origin oal in real life, anG that the
bolde,t Efforts Of the artist do hot trans
cend the exhibitions Of nature. He was
right, too, i'll the principle that the first
step in the work OF reforming degraded
man is to treat him with kindness. His
first feeble efforts must be encouraged,
you must believe him to be in earnest,
give him measure of your confidence,
and leave no room for that feeling of de-
spair which, if it comes, makes reform
impOssible