The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-02-23

at this place on the same day, to enter
upon the study Of the law as our chosen
profession-he coming from his native Dis
trict, Laurens, where he was reared and
where he received the rudiments Of his
education. I had not known him before
we met on this occasion, with this common
purpose in view. From that day dates our
our acquaintance, which soor ripened into
ties of closest friendship. He has been my
daily companion, my unfaltering friend ever
since and I fail 10 recall single circum-
stance that ever occurred, in all that period,
to mar the harmony Of our intercourse
never an unkind word having passed be-
tween US. In view Of all this should be
recreant to the better feelings Of my ma
ture if should permit this occasion to pass
without offering to his memory the homage
Of my affection. do not propose in what
I shall say to intrude upon the sacred pri-
yacy of those upon whom this dispeasation
falls most heavily by indulsing in words OF
coincidence. They have my heartfelt sym
pathy in this their sorrows crown of sor-
row.; but He alone who inflicted the wound
can heal it. "He who tempers the wind to
the shorn lamb" will take them under His
protecting care.
Maj. Baxter was gifted with rare i tellec-
tual powers-endowed with faculties which
eminently fitted him for the profession
which be adorned SC highly. He was not
what might be called popular speaker,
abounding in the graces of oratoFy and
possessing the power to sway the thronging
multitude. BE seldom attempted fights of
fancy, but always spoke in language un-
adorned, but pure and cbaste. His style OF
speaking was logical and argumentatlVe,
never failing to impress upon those who
heard him the conviction of mis- own ear
nestness 10 the cause he advocated. His
perceptions were clear and exact, and his
reflective faculties acute and vigorous. AS
a lawyer he was earnest and Jealous in
whatever business was committed to. his
charge, and exhibited a devotion to his
an profession and untiripg industry in the
cause of his clients such as is rarely equalled.
He was thoroughly grounded in the eie-
mentary principles of the law, ano when
ever in tie preparation of his cases be had
occasion 10 Investigate legal principle be
always resorted to the. fountains Of. the law
| for his information, insread of relying upon
the reports of recently decided cases. He
believed that "the reason Of the law was
| the life of the law" and he searched for it IN
the writings of the sages Of the law. He
was no lease lawyer; but rather depended
upon his own native intellect and strong
reasoning faculties to guide him in the
argument of his cases. a formidable ad.
yersary at the Bar under any circumstances,
but most dangerous when his case appeared
to be most hopeless ;-he gathered new
strength and rose 10 the emergency as bis
case trembled in the balance. He knew no
such word as fail. ,..zs-. -
But he is gone from amongst US, never
to return. No more shall We hear bis voice;
no more shall we see his genial face in this
forum. Life's ftful fever is Ger, he sleeps
well.
Death is terrible under all circumstances
whether it knocks at the door OF the rich
mans palace or the poor mans howell
whether it comes in the sunlight of day OF
in the darkness Of the night-whether il
comes as swift messenger swapping the
thread of life by single stroke, or BY
the slow gradatious of consuming disease
When it selects as its victim man who
has lived out his allotted time it's an even
which creates no surprise and makes bu
little impression; but when it comes with
out warning of its approach and strikes
down one in the full vigor of manhood
surrounded BY all the endearments Of do
mestic life, and with bright prospects before
him, it is doubly appalling.
The affective dispensation which ha'
taken away from US our friend and brothe
should remind US "what shadows We are
and what shadows we pursue" and serve
az q useful lesson to admon!sb US to be pre-
pared when the dread summons shall cal
for US, as it surely will.
Mr.. George Johnstone said
I rise for one moment to lay a garlans
on the grave Of our deceased comrade
This much is due to him with whom begal
the study Of law, and from whom have de
rived more Information than from any on
else. This is due to one who possessed
more ability than was necessary to rails
him to any position in his profession Il
which he might have aspired. Els socia
life was as striking and as brilliant as hi
professional life. That part of his characte
which appeared to me the most loveabl
and the most admirable manifested itself il
social intercourse. There were few men t.
whom the pleasures OF social life wer
dearer, and few who contributed NOR
to the pleasure of others. he has left u
legacy We cannot forget, ami has pointe
out to US a career that We should diligentl
follow. His life was without malice an
enmity, and in his death be has left neithe
malice nor enmity.
Mr.. Silas Johnstone said:
would add q few words to testify m
high regard for our deceased brother. Nor
than thirty years ago / met him for tb
first time; and was struck with his Won
derful conversational powers. After hl
admission to the Bar he soon gained
practice alongside of the best lawyers
the day; and for the last fifteen years h