The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-05-06
A Commitment 10 Judue Reed.

The complimentary action of the Charleston
bar on Friday last shows the respect enter
tanned for our former townsman, Hon. j. P.
Reed, who has been consecutively engaged for
three months in diligent patient and laborious
discharge of his duties on the bench. AS the
term was about to close, Mr.. NJ. P. O'Connor
arose and requested that the business be sus-
pended for short time, when he proceeded to
address the Court on behalf of the legal frater-
nifty, presenting a testimonial of their apprecj-
alton of Judge Reeds judicial bearing and
conduct during such a protracted term. This
testimonial was signed with almost perfect
unanimity including the names Of seventy-hve
lawyers, and as Mr.. O'Connor said it was a
very proper and just encouragement to high
public functionary from the members of an
honorable profession. The paper itself reads
as follows:
CHARLESTON, April 80, 1875.
Hon. j. p Reed, Judge of the First Circuit !:
DEAR SIR: The undersigned members of
the Charleston Bar, beg leave, now that the
first term of our Court since your elevation to
the bench is about to close, to express to you
their qualification at the cooperation which
has existed between the bar and yourself, so
essential to the proper and complete admins
tration of justice.
The term has been protracted and arduous,
and it affords us pleasure to place upon record
our estimate of the promptness, impartiality
and ability with which you have discharged
the judicial functions
With assurances of the highest respect, we
are, respectfully, &c.
In responding to this united action and COM
plmentary testimonial, Judge Reed made the
following remarks:
Mr. o. Connor and Gentlemen Of the Bar:
I have heard with much emotion your re-
marks, and the paper which you have just read
and handed to me-
The award of we'll done, good and faithful
servant is eyer keenly appreciated BY one new, who
animated by love of and desire to promote
and forever cherish it, It emanates from the
members of digni6ed and influential body,
and carries with it the best consolation to an
honest man, the sanction and appreciation of
its ministers in the temple, to the priest at the
altar of temporal justice.
If there should be any one who would now,
or in the future, doubt the correctness of my
rulings let him not impeach the sincerity of
my motives and intentions, for protest here,
as l do before the bar of eternal justice, that
in all that have done my sole aim has been
to advance the correctness and promote the
veal Of the citizen.
have come here from the mountains Of this
State, comparatively stranger among you, oc-
cupying novel and imposing position, and the
solemn duties which have devolved upon my
mission 1 have endeavored to discharge with
efficient application, and to the best of my
judgment and ability to uphold with an even
and impartial hand the scales of human justice.
He who sees the secrets of all hearts will judge
me, as hope to be judged in that great day,
of having obeyed the dictates of my conscience,
pure and freed from all trammels whatsoever.
The kind opinion of me which you, gentlemen,
have been pleased to express of me at the close
of my first term hope to preserve while l
shall continue in my office, and my highest
purpose shall be that, worthiest of the highest
ambition Of man, to do rig ht to seek justice,
and thereby contribute to the prosperity and
happiness of my fellow-men.