Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1877-07-12
Preamble and Resolutions

NV Ia oll tlle ZOtn inst M, II
was made known that his Hon
}or, w. Il. Hickerson, Judge,
DC, had rendered his rcSigna-
ton 10 the Governtr, to take
effect on the LIST proximo.
W hereupon OH motion of a. b.
w GODDARD, Esq, a committee of
the Bar was appointed to pre-
pare and present a suitable pre-
amble ami resolutions express
sive Of the sense of our Bar re-
laiive 10 the valued services of
that distinguished servant of
the people, and our deep re-
greet at The necessities that IN
duce his retirement from the
bench.
The following embraces and
compartments the action of the
committee as submitted hy them
for the consideration OF the
Bar:
WHEREAS, In the year 1865
one of the darkest periods in
Ourcountry shiStory--when law
lcssncss was rife in the land
when dishonesty was held at a
PR MUM, and integrity at a dis
count-w when the Judicial en-
mine of the State had been
brought into diSrepute by in
competency, and stained by
political prejudice and fanati-
cism, W. =. Ilickerson sacri-
feed Il lucrative practice, sur
rendered the blessings of home
and private life, and accepted
the jlldge>hip of the 9th Judi
cial circuit that he might re-
lievc the country from the ter
rible miSrulc engendercd by the
late war.
In 1869 he was elected to the
position by the people; and a.
gain in the year 1870, when the
elective franchise was enuus-
ted to all alike, without opposi-
ton, he was called 10 this post
of honor and great responsible
.ity--so that during about ten
long and cvcntful years-a Pc
Rod most irksome and trying,
he has filled the office in qucs-
ton with profound ability, with
exalted credit to himself, and
perfect satisfaction TO the law
abiding portion of the commu-
nifty. Therefore, be il resolved
JSt. That from our long pro-
fessiOnal association with Judge
Hickerson, we feel satisfied that
We knOlr HIM; we know him as
"A man, and we know him as a
iurist; and in him we recog-
nizc The perfect gentleman, the
profound lawyer, the just and
impartial Judge, the careful,
diligcnt aad faithful servant of
the people.
End. That he has been a
bright ornament TO the profess
sion, Il shining light upon the
legal arena of the country, and
as he come upon the bench, so
he leaves it-withOut stain up
on his character; and we deplore
his resignation as public ca
lamity-a serious loss, affecting
alike all who claim an interest
in the well being of the COM
mmity.
3rd We take pleasure in
bearing willing witness that
while our country has been con-
stantly seeing its judicial En-
mine worn as the covering for
political aspirants, has seen it
disgraced by demagogues on
the bench, has seen it trailed in
the foulest corruption, has seen
it stained by brides to vulgar
passions and low desires, has
seen it spotted with partiality
and darkencd with prejudice
Judge llickerson has worn it in
the strictcst integrity, for the
purpose alone of the admins
tratiOn Of justice, and as the
insignia Of an Office of the
greatest responsibility, the bull
wark of government, the guar
dian Of rights and the protcc-
tor of citizens.
Ah. That while we feel that
Judge llickcrsOn has done right,
as stated in his letter notifying
us of his resignation, that his
"wifc and children are and
ought to be his first carc'--yct
the Bar cannot part with an of
ficcr who filled, for so long, az
judicial trust, with such ability,
impartiality and interchangeable
energy, without, in some way,
expressing its feelings of re-
gret, and at the same time its
heartfelt wishes for his health,
contentment and prosperity;
and we would claim for him that