The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-10-15
was stored with i# classic beatitie

w lcdlh Ilio loS"i ai'IoiJ, VIM Why
his retentivc, memory and keer
observation enabled him to use
with effect, when the 'occasioha re-
quircd. Kind and genialiniais
sition, loving the society of his
friends and ASSOCIATES, and enjoy.
ing their company and amusements
yet he never permitted the :.pleas.
ures of life to interfere With its
duties. In this, he was the direct
opposite of { his distinguished
brother, the Chancellor; whowodS.
ed with great power and; ability
when he did work; but did not go
to his task with that afacrity, With
that love Of labor, that >goad OF
duty, which seemed to driveithe
Judge, and enabled him to. resist
the temptations and allurelnents OF
society. Of course, the practice ot
such lawyer was large and lucra-
tive, and with a fame co-extensive
with the State, he was power in
the Appeal Conrt. His speeches
were close, logical, full of learning
and authority; perhaps, he refined
too much, but when the argument
closed, it was exhausted, and if he
failed to convince the court, he GER
tainly impressed it with the con-
vIction that no more could be said
on that subject. And it was gen
orally admitted that it could not
be better said.
I do not think Judge Wardlaw
had much taste for politics. The
law was his mistress, but he served
many years in the Legislature,
where. he carried the same con-
scientious conviction of. duty. In
fact, DUTY was the controlling pow.
er of his life. lie never hesitated
to march, right forward in it's
straight line, no matter who or
what opposed. Loving the appro-
baton Of his fellow-citizens, he
took pains to secure their support,
but was no demagogue, never ut
tered a word to lower the standard
of public virtue, and never sacli-
feed his personal independence or
conviction Of right to secure a vote.
AS a LEGISLATOR, his career was
without a spot or blemish; he
worked for the good Of the State,
and introduced and carried through
many measures which stand as
monuments of his public spirit
wisdom and patriotism. Here, as
at the bar, lie impressed himself
on his associates and compecrs,
and, when the vacancy occurred,
was elevated to the dignity Of the
Speakers chair. III this high office,
he exhibited the dudhtiesfot jus.
tice, impartiality, courtesy and
tirmness, and the House, confirmed
to elect him to preside over ,tthleTi
deliberations, without Opposition,
until he was elected to- tlie i dignity
Of. the bench. WhilenSpeaker;
with his accustomed industry and
devotion to. duty, he, reyiseaHpd
perfected that admirable system;; Of
rules which continued to regulate
the deliberations Of the House ef
Representatives, until the apolitiea
revolution that has eompelledica
change not only in our representa-
thought.
AS a Judge he was eminent.
His training at the bar, in the Eeg,
islature, in the Speakers chair,
seemed to educate and fit him fof
this high distinction. His learning,
industry, practice and expenence,,
eninently qualified him to dis
charge, without, reproach, with
great satisfaction to the profession
and credit to himself, the arduous
duties of a Circuit and Appeal
Judge. This is neither the time
nor the place to enlarge on his EN-
iuence as a Judge, his record is
written in the reports illumined
by his wisdom, his sense of Justice,
and his learning. There he has
immortalized himself, there he will
live as a great Judge and great
lawyer, while judicial independence
judicial virtue, and judicial learn
ing are valued by the profession.
In those reports will be found
wealth Of labor, sincerity Of pur-
pose, purity of intention, and a
dignityof thought that has seldom
been equaled and never surpassed
in. judicial history. There stands
his monument erected by his own
hand, perpetual memorial of his
virtue, integrity and learning. 1t
will stand, be consulted and admir-
ed as long as the English is a spo-
ken language.
But eminenta as was Judge Ward
law on the Appeal bench, and in
the. reports, it is not here that he
was most distinguishes The Cir
cult Courts was the, theatre of his
fame. and his triumphs.j Here he
was pre-eminent. When he took
his pen, his style was sometimes
involved ; but when he charged a
Jury, the expression was as clear as
;Icrystal, the mind worked with
;, orf,,l ,,rooici0n tho STYLE was