The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-05-28

the discharge of his duty he knew
no man. Like Justice herself ht
was blind, and held the scales WITT
an even hand. He regarded witt
the utmost horror the idea of a po
litical Judge. I have heard hin
say more tlran once that if party
influence ever raised it's horrid from
in the courts of justice, and cases
were decided from other influences
than those of law, truth and justice
he would throw off his gown
brush the dust from his feet, and
depart from the temple of justice
thus desecrated and disgraced
God save the people whose admin
istration of justice is poisoned by
the bitter waters of political strife
Judge Orr was on the bench ot
our circnit at a critical period. He
was the first Judge under the new
Constitution. We we're just emerg.
ing from the abyss Of an overthrow
which involved. in one common
ruin property, right, law, peace and
order. Not only the lives of the
lpeople and the property of the
country had been destroyed, but
the very conrts of justice were
swept away, "wilen our need was
1.-The sorest." It was necessary to
calm the troubled waters-to gather
up the broken threads-to, collect
the wreck of the ruin, and build de
7aovo. Judge Orr was the very man
for the bench at that time. He was
a Caroliniar, and possessed strong,
independent mind, rather more in
clined to make the law than to de-
clare it. He had known more Of
the Legislative than of the Judi
ciary department, and therefore
was a fit person to administer the
law under the surrounding circum-
stances. He had practiced, not
without distinction. in the old
courts. He had some knowledge
of the ante bellna judiciary, with
its precision, ability, formality and
technical conservatism, which,
united with great good sense, a
strong instinct Of natural justice,
and kindly appreciation of the
surroundings, made him the right
man in the right place. 1t has al
ways appeared to me that the strict
application of the law as it stood
before the war without qualification,
to the condition of affairs since the
war SO radically changed and differ
ent, was to shnt our eyes to the
most patent facts-to be wilfully
blind, and, under the delusion OF
adhering to principle, to do vio-
lence to every element Of morality
and justice. The necessities OF the
times required to some extent
Judqe-made hou. Many of the ques-
tions thrown upon the courts by the
war were not purely judicial in
their character but were semi-polit-
ical, and in their decision required
as much craftsmanship as judicial
knowledge. I respectfully suggest
that the opinions of Judge Orr and
Chief Justice Chase upon the sub
:iect of debts for slaves eInancipated
were not only in. accordance with
humanity, morality and justice,
and the spirit of the times, but in
strict conformity with the Consti-
tuition and law, literally interpreted
in the light of high judicial philos-
ophy and true craftsmanship!
Judge Orr helped us to bridge the
chaos between the old and new or
der of things. He occupied posi-
ton which enabled him to admin
lister the criminal law impartially,
which he did without fear, favor or
affection, and we should never for
get the debt of gratitude we owe
him!
AS a friend, Judge Orr was So
cial, amiable, warm-hearted and
true. The loyalty Of his heart was
known of all men. l knew him
intimately for thirty years, and
never saw a shadow of personal
unkindness upon his brow. We
will not intrude into the sacred pre-
cincts of the home circle, whose
light is gone forever! He has de-
parted from us! Far from home
and friends, a stranger in a strange
land, he died! Let us do his char
acter justice, and drop tear to his
memory. If the condition.. and
prospects of his poor native State
had been brighter, I am sure he
would have died happier! He loved
his State and his people. His heart
was full of the milk of human
kindness
"Those gentle charities which draw
Man closer to his'kind!
Those sweet humanities which make
The music that they find!"
Col. J. S. Cothran then deliver
ed the following remarks:
Mr.. Chairman: I had not intend
ed until this moment to say anything
upon this occasion, though feeling
deeply the loss that we have al
sustained in the untimely death O.
our distinguished fellow-citize'
and friend. The allusion made BY
l.,