Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-04
TRIBUTES TO A DEPARTED
JUDGE.
Addresses An she supreme Cour
on the Deaih OF Judge Nelson.

on the Death OF Judge nelson.
From the Knoxville Chronicle. Nov. 26.l
In the Supreme Court on Monday
morning ON the occasion of a formal
presentation of the resolutions Of the
bar on the death of Judge Thomas A.
R. Nelson the following proceedings
took place: HEtT "a
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL s ADDRESS.
If the Court please, am deputed by
the bar of this my native section, to
bring into this Court their resolutions in
memory of this sad event, which form
ally announced in this presence. The
meeting of these brothers of the de-
ceased Judge Nelson has endeavored in
these pages to present, as words may
present the virtues of the deceased.
Nor is it owing to any failure on their
part, either in earnestness or ability,
that these expressions of their esteem
and their sorrow fall short Of the reality
and do not full justice to their subject.
When the Buckingham palace is
burned with its treasures of art; when
the Escurial is reported in flames, with
its precious manuscripts and pictures,
the world of civilization stands aghast
that some work of which no duplicate
exists may be lost to mankind, but what
can duplicate the work of the Almighty? -?
What piece Of work is man" how
noble in reason how infinite in facul.
ties in form and moving how express
and admirablel in action how like an
ANGEL in apprehension how like god
the beauty OF the world the paragon OF
animalsl Yet be perishes like the grass
which, in the morning, is cut down, and
we seem to feel in the liyeliness of our
apprehension that something is gone
from our midst, that nature, in all her
variations, in all her protean versatility,
can never again produce. Others may
emulate his virtues; his children may
follow him with his family resemblances;
his sons may fill his stations in the
world. and may even fill the full meas.
ure OF his renown, but they cannot
even, though they excel him in many
points, be the same or in all things hike.
Nor to us could they, though in the very
mould and form of thought, of morality
and life the same, ever be what be has
been. The relations in which he has
stood they can only fill to others, not TO
ma. nor to his bereaved widow, nor to
this generation. The tendrils by which
his friends held to him can never hnd
the same support in any Others, but
wherever they may re-attach their hold
is new.
To those who are growing old the
reflection is sad one. To them the
loss is irreparable. AS to the vine, the
supporting bough, broken and pros
trate. the branches must droop forever
which hung upon it. unable to regain
their support; so those chords OF SYM
pathy which attached US to him must
lose their strong grasp, and in time,
waste away. .......,
Permit me to join my personal testl-
mony to that of the bar of this section OF
the State, and to say that to me the virtues
of the man and his generous qualities
will remain forever as q sweet memory
of my native hills. To candor and
truthfulness SO remarkable, 1t was natu-
raj that an impetuous courage and
generous and genial temperament should
be ioined. but that to these should be
added an assiduity that never faltered,
an industry that meyer failed, was not 80
natural. With these, learning and sue
cess in bis profession was to be eK-
pected, bat that the large store OF lite
rary requirement and classic culture,
which won the encomium Of the London
Times and the admiration OF his asso-
ciates, should have accompanied them,
was BIZ no means so usual an occur
renee. Filling, as be did, the hiehest
positions in his profession, and National
and State employments Of the first
grade, with no superiors in social life
aud in the Christian church, he has so
lived as TO profit those who placed their
trust in him, and has left memories OF
a worthy life 10 those who cherish and
regard him, aud high examples and noble
instances TO be followed By the genera
tions which come after him. lIrr
Allow me, then. TO ask Of this court,
in the name Of the bar here assembled,
that, as a testimonial to your late asso-
eiate and 10 our professional brother,
YOU will spread these resolutions ~ the
minutes OF this court and allow them to
be published in the next volume Of Re.
ports. q,
Judge Sneed, on behalf OF the court,
responded as follows:
m. ArroRNEY GESERAL: In re-
sponding 70 your touching tribute 70 the
memory Of our departed brother, ] msy
ssv. on behalf Of ny brethren Of the
bench. that there is no man whose hon
orable fame as lawyer and Judge is
..ore deserving OF preservation on the
records Of this court than his
As statesman, his name Val oe
perpetuaisd in the historic annals Of
his country. As 3 citizen, in the mem