Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-02-25

that he had better remain at home for rest ana
rela xation from his labor he would answer
that he felt that he ought TO go, that perhaps
the business of the court might be interrupted
by his absence.
Looking back upon the past my mind reverts
to my first public appearance before this Court
to the day when tried my first case. l WAS
engaged to defend man in HON felt q great
personal interest, of fair standing in the COM
munity but who unfortunately had been in
dicted for grave offence. was not willing
to bear on my inexperienced shoulders alone
and unaided the burden my client was willing
to impose upon me and having determined to
seek the aid of assistant counsel called upon
George Brent then engaged in active
practice at this bar, ] had then only slight
acquaintance with him. But his kindness and
suavty of manner with which he received me,
the valuable aid he SO willingly gave me in
the preparation of my case, and the words of
encouragement and assurance with which
he cheered me while was was passing through
hat terrible ordeal of the young practitioner,
completely wooed me to him and laid the foun-
istion of lasting personal friendship. When
afterwards | was elected to the Office Of State $
Attorney and came here to practice my protes-
sion, he generously offered me the use of his Ii
orary and Office. an invitation which gladly
accepted and remained with him in daily in
tercourse, almost until he WAS called
to preside over the Courts of this Circuit.
On all occasions he was ever ready and will
ling to give me the aid OF his great legal
know ledge in the examination and solution OF
intricate legal questions arising in my prac-
tice.
In all the important civil and criminal trials
that arose before this Cenrt, from my coming
here to the time OF his promotion to the Bench,
he was engaged rs counsel, and Though II WAS
nv fortune to be often confronted with him in
the arena of heated, forensic discus
sion, still the current of kind feeling between
US rolled on unbroken and uninterrupted.
feel then, Mr.. Chairman, looking back At
he past, that in the death of Judge Brent, |
have lost a Justly true and valued friend, and
one whose loss ! sincerely deplore. One of the
saddest days in all my life was the dark and
dreary Sunday that stood In the Church
vard aud saw Lis remains consigned to their
last resting place, the dark grave closing over
him forever. the cold white snow his only COW
ering Bat am not alone in my sorrow. |
believe the feelings now utter touch = respon-
sive chord in the hearts OF the entire people. |
believe no one has ever gone down TO the grave
so universally mournsd and lamen,ed as the
late Chief Judge
Though passed forever from the scenes OF
caitu hkoN ~ -
iected from the tomb, teaching Us the ways 10
which we should walk AS members of the same
honorable profession to which he belonged.
Let US endeavor 10 pref; by the sad lesson OF
his death, that while we cherish his memory
and admire the many ri e and beautiful quail
ties that adorned his character, We may dirsc,
onr steps in the paths in which he walked in
life.
Mr.. n. SrosEsrHskr than arose and in
q few appropriate remarks seesnded the
resolutions.
Mr.. JoBS H. MITCHELL then arose and
addressed the meeting as follows:
In secnnding the resolutions which have
been read, Mr.. Chairman. cannot hope
to add. by anything that may say, to the
mournful interest OF this occasion, or TO
contribute to tbs trus appreciation Of the
character and services Of the distinguished
gentleman. 10 honor wose memory We are
met to-day in the place where his frs,
labors were performed and his first
triumphs won.
There are occasions in the life of every
one when words seem utterly inadequate
30 express the thoughts which agitate the
mind, or the emotions which swell the
breast. This, to me, is such an occasion,
and yet ay regard for Judge Bren, WAS
so great; my admiration for his chareter
S. thorough and sincere; my regret ct his
passing away 90 deep, tina, feel alme.i
among the many beautiful g.rIsnds which
have been laid upon his grave
have known him ever since boyhood !;
indeed, some Of my carIies' recollections
are connected with him ~ member Of
that baad Of genial. wholesouled gentle
men, which existed in this village = mum
Der Of years ago. and whose unheralded
visits to the homesteads of the neighbor-
hood were always = source Of delight tn
young and old. recall to mind the kind
" smile with which he ssed 10 greet me
then-the same smile which lie up his
few months ago, when he
came home from his duties in Annapolis
sick and weary. and erasped for the last
time that pure hand shich was 90 soon
to rest above n pulssless heart and in
losing him feel A. il had not oBIy lost,
in commt q with my brother members If
the Bar, father of the Law. but also one
of my earliest and trues, friends
~ - uCNNssStv khis HAssSaNN
to speak Of bic distinguished public ser
vices; for they are known TO all within
the sound Of my voice, and have become
part Of the history Of our State. He Was
not one Of those who hid bis light under
a bushel, but he believed. and acted upon
the belief. that the talents given by the
Great Master were given in trust, TO be
used for the benefit Of bis fol sw men. The
Reports of the Court ofAppeals will trans
NIT to remote generations the evidences Of
his untiring industry. his deep research.
his profound learning. his remark able
powers of analysis. bis breadth of intellect
and his love of justice. Those who have
read his written, or heard bis oral deci-
sions, have been impressed, not only by
these characteristics, but 10y the chaste and
forciblc language ~ ~hieh he always ex-
pressed his we'll considered opinions and
vigorous thoughts. Making no pretensisn
to oratory, in the vulgar acceptation Of
that term, his remarks always carried con-
rietion, which is in reality The aim and Oh
ject OF all true oratory. His knowledge OF
oar mother tongue was 90 exsct. and bis
command of language 50 thorough, that ]
have never listened TO anyone who poses
sed, in greater degree, the rare faculty OF
always using the right word in the right
place. This faculty enabled him to make
his meaning clear to the du lest intellect,
and, coupled with the elsquence which is
always born of earnestness, caused his ut
terances to be listened TO with rapt atten-
ton by sveryone-even the most unlearn-
ed-who came within these walls.
But eminent As your deceased brother
was, Mr.. Chairman. as alawyer-accurate,
learned and profound az he proved him
self to be as Judge, he was something,
in my opinion, far nobler and better; he
was pure, brave, upright citizen, and an
honorable christian gentleman.
Tbsrs is . little flower which grows
upon the most inaccessible crags Of the
Hottest Alps, to gather which the Swiss
will encounter any risk and
endure any fatigue; in his search for the
"Edelweis"--the Honor W kite"--(fnr