The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-16
IN MEMORIAM.
The Meeting of the Bar Yesterday
in Respect to the Memory
of the Late VIM. N.
Randolph, Esq.

members OF the bar, gathered to pay to the
memory Of the late VIM. NJ. Randolph their tri-
butte.
Judge Jno. A. Campbell was called to the
Chair, in taking which he delivered few appro.
pirate remarks in his dignifed and Impressive
manner. The following committee on resolu-
tions was then appointed
Judge Thomas H. Kennedy, Judge E. T. Mer-
rick, Judge j. II. Ilsley, Governor A. VOORHEES,,
Judge W. A. Emore and Messrs. John tinne,,
Thomas A. Clarke, J. Ad Rozier, William H.
Hunt, Thomas j. SeMmes and A. Pilot.
Judge Kennedy, Chairman, after a consulta-
ton, returned with the following, which was
unanimously adopted:
Resolred, That the bar of New Orleans has
heard, with deep regret, OF the death OF the late
William NJ Randolph, 30 long one OF its distin-
guished members.
Resolred, That in his death we deplore the
loss OF the profound jurist; The accomplished
scholar and orator; the Christian citizen and pa
triot; the devoted friend, without an n. my, III
whom all the manly virtues "contended for en-
pre-" whose intellect, attainments and rigid adj
tons of lfe unmingled with self assertion, COM
manded our admiration, while his warm, open
nature and genial manners won our willing affec
ton.
Resolred, That we will wear the usual badge of
mourning during thirty days. in token Of our re-
spect for his memory.
ReselUed, That copy Of these proceedings be
presented to the Supreme Court Of the State, the
district courts OF this parish, and the courts OF
the United States in this district, to be entered
on their respective records.
ReSOLced, That copy also be transmitted to
the family OF the deceased by the Chairman and
Secretary Of this meeting, with fitting express
sion Of our respectful sympathy and coincidence.
In seconding the motion to adopt the resolu-
tons, Major J. H. New paid the honored and be-
loved deceased the following beautiful offering of
homage and fraternal feeling:
ECLOGY OF ]. II. NEW, ESQ.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Genhemen-If pic
ture We're painted to represent the life of man.
the most prominent as well as the saddest
thought, suggested by its contemplation, would
be that Of-separation.
Ii the scene represented battlefield, we
should gaze on ranks thinned by fallen soldiers,
in every stage of the conflict. Ii journey were
start or in the middle OF the way, who never reach
the end togeth r. Ii with pious pencil the lines
were drawn, and men were sketched as but
camping on waste, preparatory to entering on
the sweet fields OF living green waving in the
background, al DER the pam, we should dwell
on tents that were folded forever, and should be
tancylag the air trembling with farewels.
Familiar as we are, from the dawn to the even
ing OF our lives, with the sorrow embamed in that
word separation, each instance of parting fetches
pang as keen az thong b our circle of love had
never been broken.
No custom OF use can draw the sting from the
arrow OF death. No old scars can soften a new
wound. Rather, as We move to the stilluess of
our rest We feel the blow that takes away a
f,iend with keener sensibility and increasing
pain. And when that friend has been one who
has lghtened our burdens, who has frightened
our pathway by the radiance Of his smiles, and
warmed our hearts by the beams of his love, we
stand benumbed in the eclipse of our grief as il
our own feet were wet by the waters OF the dark
river.
So, to-day, we stand, while the air is yet heavy
with the tid.ngs OF the death Of William NJ.
Randolph.
Ia calling that name, how this very room seems
to brighten.
Pleasant associations cluster about it as close
as color to the rose. The mind, the music
breathing from the face" tunes our hearts in
unison with his, and fills our souls with lofty
aims. The low, soft voice that Lear found so ex-
cellent thing in woman falls on our ears as the
dew on the grass; fit vehicles for words always
kind and warm with human sympathy.
The commanding presence, the graceful move
ment, the flashing merry eyes are now with Us,
and we almost feel the grasp Of the delicate
hand.
Some men are like sun dials. They record only
the light. Clouds pass over them and leave no
mark. Such was our friend. His entrance to a
room was like opening window that gives on
garden. You felt the sweet, pure air that came
IN with him. You turned to him as you do to
to flowers on common, the brightest thing IN
sight.
You stayed with him as you do by the sea,
charmed by its symphonies and awed by its
grandeur. Surrounding him was an influence as
gentle and softening that which comes from
galleries OF pictured SAINTS or lovely women.
Harsh voices grew smooth in his presence. Loud
words sank to calm, as the waves Of the sea be-
meath rain. What was good in you came to the
surface when with him. as plants to the spring.
COuuS VAnIShai
Of care lifted their corners and turned to smiles
There could have been but one fairy presiding
over his birth. Her name was love. She must
have kissed his eyes when she blessed him, and
sent him forth unable to see, save through her
softening and identifying medium. And as the
world is bright or dark as We choose to see it, he
looked mon his worst as a child does On the
clouds. no. as portents of storms but as golden
banks VI color or shifting masses of lovely
forms.
The soughing Of winds among the trees was
not sigh for him. 1t was but natures fingers
running over the keys Of one OF her many instru-
ments, awakening music for mans delight. The
ills that befall us, the dangers that environ u.s.
the fears that plague US and the hopes that mock
us, seen through his annointed eyes, We're but as
the wholesome training Of the athlete, to prepare
him for the prize at the end Of the race.
Even in the rough conflicts of the bar, where
the zeal OF the contestanto sometimes rides over
the gentle cOurteses and amenities of social life
it was impossible t. forget III the ousts with Will
liam Randolph that behind the advocate there was
something far nObler and higher-the gentleman.
While no one could be more vigorous in attack or
skilled in defense, there was always with him a
moderation, which came from a respect for foe,
the natural fruit OF pure heart, that sees no
evil, for it harbors none. With temper as
serene as ixsd star, he was as far removed as
it from the mists and clouds of prejudice or pas
sion. Recognizing IN all men a common subec-
ton to the circumstances OF birth, the opportuni.
ties OF education, and the chances of fortune in
shaping their lives, his balanced mind could dis
cover but errors, where others saw crimes; and
accident, where others saw will.
And, 80 he moved among us, gaddening as
sunbeam that lights piece of glass to the glory
OF tbs diamond, or sends thrill of life through
frozen soil Is it strange, then, that all VINO
met him loved him? Is it strange, that we often
pause ia our labors to recall the sound of q
voice that is st II, and the touch Of q vanished
hand
But the view just presented is taken as We
knew him last. There Is another phase OF his
character which apt!y illustrates that
''The bravest are the tenderest,