The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-06-18
Captain James NJ. Davis.
vvOur,yx .e,h.t,onr of1nm.

WOu t''o oPe"'"o y 80 y :. - - :
mon Pleas, June 9TH, 1878, Capt. w
L. DePass arose and spoke as follows:
Mar At Please Your Honor
Since the last session Of this court
the members Of the bar of Camden have
been deprived of one of its most chcr'sh'
cd members. The summons OF death
has been served on our beloved brother,
james NJ. Davis, and his soul and prs
encc have departed from among US.
And, sir, while we all mourn his loss.
and the community has been deprived
or one of its most sterling citizens, his
loss to os. asde from those to whom he
was nearest and dearest. has been heavy
indeed. -
As an upright counsellor, whose in
tecrity was uuquestioned, devoted to
and earnest in any cause he espoused,
he was ever resdy q lend willing ear
in behalf of leniency to ,hoSe against
whom he was called upon TO act In a
nroressiona, character. Mild and gentle
10 his manners, he never violated the
courtesics and s,acpilies Of the profess
ion in his intercourse with ais brethren
Of the bar.
Mr.. Davis, as $ lawyer, in the high
est and purest sense, was entitled to a
high rank in the profession. As 0
counsellor he was safe and reliable, and
in the preparation Of all his business ex-
hibted an accuracy aca thoTorshness
commeudable in any practitioner. fh0
GROWING virtue Of lis character, how
ever was his strict devotion to truth.
All of us knew that when he made a
statement i. was entitled 10 full credence
Duplicity, cuo4ing and deceit, he sc"rn-
ed with all of the purity OF hiS E4tuFe
a nature so free from guile, so transpa:
rent with truth, that it marked all ol
his actions in lie.
Wbei, the alarm Of war was sounded
in the South. and the devoted sons OF
South Carolina wore summoned to pre-
mare for dat great and mighty struggle
in which she with her risic, States were
soon to be engaged, none responded
more promptly than he. and all along
through that period of suffering and
sacrifice none bore themselves more gals
lsatly and earnestly.
Along tne seGcoast of his own loved
State. on the Potomac. in lhs ar|y OF
Northern Virginia aud OF the West
wherever the fight was thickest and
the contest hottest, there was to be found
III. same earnest, truthful and devoted
patriot. I,s vas true to himself and
,rue 20 his country, because Re was true
TO his God. Reared in the school Of
nie,y: Of strong religious convictions,
Mr.. Davis exhibited their influence
more in the seitening and harmonlzlne
effects they produced On his Gaq qer"us
character than in any marked outward
demonstration or profession. No one
was more decided in his friendship.
or in bis preferences, and while kind
and Gentle To al and every one whom
he approached, Or WHO apPsoatha9 him
! be was strong and ardent 10 his person
al attachments. His will, when he
came 70 oopclusion was as firm as q
rock and though disposed to yield, yet,
when question of principle Vas inyoI-
we'd, it required more than ordinary in II,
a,o,ocs .o move him or change his
strosu convictions. As a citizen he
evidenced dcga.ed attachment to the
best interests Of his county md State
and discharged with great fidelity the
duties of many responsible Offices en-,
trus. ed to bin By the confidence Of the
ho6ijr DurioE ths Hxs ~ was mm'