New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-16

eminent in all respects, aS no was, Wnom
we lament to-day. If for nothing else, the
lawyer deserves consideration for maintain
ing and upholdiDg that greatest Of all our
rights-free discussion. For without abso-
Lutte freedom in discussing all questions con-
corning the rights of men, whether high or
low, popular or unpopular, there is no such
thing as Justice. If public clam0r is to de-
ter the advocate from doing his duty in Sc
curing fair trial to one under the ban Of
public opinion, whether Justly or unjustly,
then there 10 no need of legal tribunals,
and we are relocated to the barDarlsm OF
the middle ages.
Truth, like sparks from q flint, comes out
only by blows. 1t is not easy to find, and
is often unrecOgnized when found. Error
and wrong die in sunlight. Truth basks
and thrives in it. And he alone is worthy
of respect, in whatever station he may be-,
who is ever ready with all his might to con-
tribute to bring it to it's native element.
To us who knew William Randolph, with
the blood of soldiers and lawyers in his
veins, it constitutes one OF his greatest
claims to our admiration that he never
shrank from the duty he owed to his pro-
fessiOn. But honor as we will, and love as
we may, there is no staying the shalt from
Azraels culver.
The opening of the courts this fell that
brought to us renewal OF our Ia0ors,
found our friend on the bed of death, in his
native State of Virginia. By curious
him was the one from which he started,
when boy, to make his way in life; and
the day he was seized by the illness that
terminated his career, was the anniversary
of the one ON which he began it. 1t was
the residence of his relative, w. S. Jones.
of Vancuse, in the Valley of Virginia. 1t
is one of the loveliest places IN that most
lovely valley. Nesting under the Blue
Ridge, it is swept by the ripping waters OF
trodden SO often in the late war by the
weary feet of the soldiers of another
modest and brave Virginian, Stonewall
jackson. And but little way in front,
is the scene, of battle fought by the sick
mans classmate, Jubal Early, supported
by the soldiers of Louisiana. led by another
dear friend, General Harry Hays.
With all that wealth of natural beauty
about him, and with all the association OF
these scenes, one may fancy the heavy
| hours of the slck-rcom somewhat lightened
of their burden. RecOllections of his boy
| hood, with all the viciesitudes OF his life,
| we can imagine passing before him, since,
near BALI century ago, in that room, hle
Young heart had be at high with ambitious
resolves. And as he looked out on the quiet
felds, while the sounds Of peaceful rural
life, mellowed by distance, fell on his ear.
| and thought of the hopes once cherished
| offered their lives SO freely to their country
| where his gaze was resting, his Christian
spirit could find solace in the reflection that
| the SORROWS of this life are not the sorrowf
| of the next; and that the battle lost here
NAV be q victory there. Conscious of his
approaching end, with the calmness and
| gentleness that characterized him IN health,
| he directed the dispositions to be made fol
| his interment, and bOwed his head in submls
! sion to the Will OF the Master, Wnen the
time should come.
| TELL them, in New Orleans," said he
"tell them, when you say l am gone, thai
| l died surrounded by my relatives and
| friends
| And surrounded by relatives and friends
with his wife by his side-the END came
Came as softly as the shadow OF cloud OF
the water. Came as a friend bearing thu
KEY to release him from his prison house
Came as the dawn to awaken from
| troubled dream. and let burst upon his sou
the exceeding brightness OF glorious real
ity.
Surrounded by relatives and friends.
| Ave, and many were there in epirit, though
| not privileged to be of that band OF l0vlns
hearts that beat in sympathy with the sink
ing pulse in that still room, IN the Valley
| Virginia.
Far off in Florida, beneath whose statel,
pines he now rests, there was daughte
whose very being was EMBODIED in her wor
ship of her father Here, too, in Louisiana
we're relatives and friends who to-day hav'
come with their tributes Of atfectlonate re
membrance. Among these press the mem
bers of the bar of New Orleans, to say how
they, too, cherish his name, and game
among the choicest of their hearts treasure
the recollections OF his life; and how. IN tn
time to come, fast drawing near, when VI
shall give way to our younger associates
we shall leave them as legacy our convlc
ton, that purity Of life, gent)eness or man
ner, devotion to duty. tremendously joine'
to the highest intellectual gifts, constituting
the noblest type of professional develop
ment, have never, in our fraternity, heel
more happily and strikingly illustrated thai
in the person of him whose course is jus
closed. William NJ. Randolph.
On motion of Judge Kennedy, seconds
by Judge Cullon, the resolutions wer
adopted.
On motion OF NJ. NJ. Cohen, Esq, tn
meeting then adjourned.