The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-02-17

integrity, justly won for him the esteem and
confidence of all who knew him, and what
| by his intelligence, energy and industry. he
accumulated a competency, if not a fortune
i Thus we see lawyer our departed friend
and brother, was to all intents and pur>
poses. success. His rare talents and ehar>
ActeristicS, mentioned, added to his natural
goodness, the only rightful source of au>
thority, doubtless, first recommended him
| to the favorable consideration of the people
| for the high position in which he served out
his invaluable life.
Thrice or four times elected Judge of the
old Tenth Judicial District he continued to
serve as such until the reconstruction policy
| of the government compelled him to adams
don the position he could no longer hold
without sacrifice of honor. After the
revolution in 1875 had partially restored
the State Government in Mississippi, he was
| appointed, in June, 1877, to preside over
the Fifth Judicial District In this position
| he served four years, and until summoned
from his earthly calling by the Supreme
Judge of the Universe. Upon the bench
Judge Cothran's decisions, always impartial,
and the result of mature deliberation, gave
general satisfaction. His extraordinary
patience and dignifed demeanor, marked by
Uniform courtesy to all, especially to the
young members of the profession, attracted
the respect and admiration of the entire
bar Social in his nature, intelligent, hu~
morous and communicative, he was gem
eral favorite, and one of the most compan>
ionable men | ever saw.
A prejudice, brethren, not altogether
without foundation, has long existed against
the profession. The Rev. Mr. Talmage in
his able discourse, from the text 'Bring
Zenas, the lawyer" asserts substantially.
that this prejudice is due to the fact it is the
business of lawyers to deal with and some
- 1aI4 ]
crime. That distinguished and popular
divine, in the same discourse, after mention
ing his experience with all kinds of lawyers,
also said "And | have yet to find a class
OF men more genial and straightforward |
There are in that occupation as in all other |
occupations men utterly obnoxious to God |
and man, but if | were on trial for my |
integrity or my life, and l wanted even
handed justice administered to me, 1 would |
rather have my case submitted to jury of |
twelve lawyers than jury of twelve cler-
gymen. The legal profession believe, have
less violence of prejudice, than is to be found
in the sacred calling"
This high compliment, brethren, coming
from such source, can only apply to that
class of lawyers whose elevated standard
would lead them, at least, in their profes.
sional intercourse with their fellow men, to
"shun the very appearance of evil"
Judge Cothran has often been heard to
say, that honest lawyers who had read and
understood their profession as a science
who practiced 1T upon principle and appre-
ciated its responsibilities, exerted a moral
influence upon society equal, at least, TO
that of the ministry. No one condemned
more than the Judge the character of the
shyster, and pettyfogger, whose abuse of the
noble calling has contributed SO much to
the popular prejudice against it. Our de-
ceased brother reverenced the law as a rule
OF right-as a science (which" properly {
truly employs in its theory,
the noblest faculties of the soul, and exer- {
cises in its practice the cardinal virtues of I
the heart" He believed the profession
owed to society duty which could only be :
performed by strict observance in practice,
Of their obligation to act with all good
fidelity as well to the court as to the client" '
TO live honestly, hurt nobody, and ren~ +
der to every man his DUE" are the princi-
pies that seemed to govern him in public as |
in private life. His standard of definition
Of Christian gentleman was always given
Dy him in that broad and comprehensive :
language of the Saviour himself "Whatso, ;
ever we would that men should do to you
10 we even SO to them" If then, brethren, v
we would maintain, and if possible, still
elevate the high standard of our noble call q
ing, model more worthy of emulation can
lot be found, than the life and character Of I
he deceased. where many virtues are en-
hrined in the hearts of his countrymen, I
Nay the richest blessings of Heaven con- 0
inually attend the bereaved family of our
deceased friend and brother, and may the
nigel of peace guard his own precious de-
parted spirit until gentle and loving Jesus,
whose precepts he so much loved and tried :.
% follow, shall crown him triumphant with l
he assembled righteous and "just made |
perfect in glory.