The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1873-12-03
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

The Lde Thomas 4. r. Netson-Ac.
ton Of the East Tennessee Bar.
Proceeding had on the 22nd inst,
in the Supreme Court of Knoxville,
in respect to the memory OF the late
lion. Thomas A. r. Nelson. 4 CON-
mittee of the Knoxville bar prepared
and Submitted an address. in which
the public life of Judge Nelson was
reviewed From the address VIC
make the following extract:
Judge Nelson was born in Roane
county, Tennessee, on the 10Th day
Of March, 1912, and died at his resi-
denee in Knoxville, of cholera, on
the oath of August, 1873. While he
was still a child his parents removed
with him to Knoxville. In 1924 or
1926, he entered East Tennessee
College, now East Tennessee Uni
versity, and graduated in 1928. AT
ter leaving college he entered upon
the study of law under the late Chan
cellor Thomas L. Williams, and was
admitted to the bar before he had
attained the age of 21 years. y +
In 1888, he was appointed by
Gov. Carroll, Attorney General for
the First Judicial Circuit, and was
twice elected by the Legislature to
the same office. AS a prosecuting
officer he displayed that energy and
conscientiousness in the discharge
of his duty, which characterized all
his efforts and personal conduct.
"In 1914 he canvassed the First
District, as elector for Mr.. Henry
Clay. and in 1913 he canvassed the
same district for General Taylor.
In 1881 he was appointed Com
missioner Of the United States to
China, as successor to Hon. Caleb
Cushing, but having lost his first
wife year before, and the compen-
sation being inadequate TO the ex-
penses TO be incurred on the mission,
and to the care and provision for his
family of young children, he declined
to accept the position.
'.In 1850 he became candidate
for Congress against Col. l.. 9.
Haynes, an after an exciting contest
in a closely contested race, he was
elected, and upon entering Congress,
found that body deeply agitated by
the approaching election of Presi-
dent Lincoln, that conyulsed the
whole country.
''Ardently attached to the union
of the States, he took q prominent
part in the exciting debates which
which arose in the organization Of
the House of Representatives and
during the ensuing session, he made
great reputation rs u powerful polit-
ical debatcr, and the L0ad0n Times
published one OF his speeches in full,
and pronounced it the finest forensic
effort Of modern American law-giY-
ers." 81
"IGe' Gfmly adhered to the cause
Of the Federal Union during the civ
il war yet at the close Of the war,
when the Union arms proved triuni-
phant. and the tide of success rolled
over his PROSTATE South, with full
knowledge Of the certain loss of po-
litical prestige, he stood tower of
strength for the vanquished and
largely contributed to the speedy
restoration of his countrymen oftheir
political and civil rights, and was
one Of the eminent counsel who de-
Tended President Johnson upon his
impeachment, i'm 1868.
.sIn 1870, Judge Nelson was elect
cd one of the Judges OF the Supreme
Court, which position he resigned
after little more than one years
service on the Bench
Suitable resolutions were passed,
and appropriate remarks were made
by several members of the bench
and bar. The proceedings wero or
dered to be spread on tie records Of
the court, and it was resolved that
the Attorney General be requested
to insert them in his next volume Of
Reports, as an enduring testimonial
in respect to the memory OF the de-
ceased professional brother.