Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-09-23
How the News was Received in Staunton


81 At the morning meeting of the Supreme Court
afer the formal opening. Judge Christian, the Presi
ssHdent of the Court, impressivey announced tina
"a there would be no session during the day.
81 JUDGE CHRISTIANS ANNOUNCEMENT.
81 In the presence of the dark and dreadful shadow
sshe said, which to-day hangs over stricken nation
1--WE cannot proceed with our ordinary duties. OPP
oppressed with the general grief which weighs upOI
Eaevery heart through out our common country
counsel nor judges can perform their accus
Ssss toned duties
g The whole country IS in tears. Virginia weeps
with Ohio. The South stands with the North strick
szand noble man whose suffering and courage ant
Spatlent struggle with death has swept the chords o
thurman sympathy everywhere and stirred to TIN
the heart Of our common humanity.
"a The assassin work is finished. The President il
dead; God grant that we may not have to say tina
Shand which strikes down the Chief Magistrate Of
q great country is a blow aimed at liberty itself.
q Judge Christian then said tnat the oldest membe
s5of the bar and one who had been prominent in pub
lic life (meaning ex-Secretary Stuart would at The
request OF the court prepare a suitable address
(which would be presented on Thursday. He thel
ssadjOurned the court.
zs Yesterday, after an hour or more ha(
81 been occupied by the several members O.
& the Court in reading opinions on the caus
Sssses disposed of, a crowd of gentlemen hav
Cling gathered, filing the room and door
ssway, Mr.. Stuart having been called upor
ssAAby the President. said:
q MR.. sTUART's ADDRESS.
81 When the court met on Tuesday last the echoe
the mnute-guns and OF the tolling bells, which
announced the death of the President of the United
Estates were still ringing in their ears. Under cir
cumstances like these the court felt themselves in
emo condition to enter the discharge of their Off
scia Duties and they knew that the Bar fully parti
cpated in the feeling of depression which saddenet
"a their hearts. The court therefore, very appro
priately, as thought contented itself with the sim
n n n nd hn anl
81 TO be adjourned.
81 In view however, of the magnitude of the calami
ty of Je crime which had caused it, they felt that
git would be proper, at later day, spread their
srecord more formal expression of their opinions
Ssand feelings on the subject
"a With this view, they did me the hOnOr to request
q prepare a brief paper intended to give effect to
u ther wishes in this respect have no doubt that
doing so, they desired that the paper should pre-
gsent the sentiments not only OF the COURT but also
esof the members of the Bar.
81 In compliance with this request Of the court,
&have prepared a paper which, imperfect as it is,
twill now proceed to read.
q When a whole nation is stricken by great ca
ple in primary meetings. but that their representa-
Atives in every department of government, should
give expression to their opinions and feelings in
3 Fifty millions of American freemen stand to-day
Soverwhelmed With grief at the death, by the hand
q of assassin, of the man who had been chosen by
( them the Chief Magistrate of the Nation. Since
B the elonious would inflicted, the End of July
ysden from the hearts OF the whole people, to the
Great Ruler of the Universe, that the life of our
sSreasons which we cannot fathom, those prayers
#have not been granted, and we can only bow, in
In the presence OF this great affection every feel
cling of parLisanshp stands rebuked; sectional pre-
siudices have beef suppressed and differences of
#potical opinion have for the time been forgotten
1.-THE whole people have been welded together by a
scommon sorrow and local aspirations have been
ssquenched iD nations tears
q The people of the North and of the South of the
n East a. d Of the West-Republicans and Democrats
They feel that James A. Garfield belonged to no sec
ston and to no party! He was the President of the
j Nation! He was the REPRESENTATIVE Of the Whole
zcOuntry and the representation of their sovereign
will and powell we; .t ana m majesty re- son
Estates A blow struck at the chief executive off
ssstruck at the Nation itself. through its government
aof which he was the honored representative!
n Under the theory of our free Institutions, a pow
ser vested n and consequently derived from, the
Apeople." Their will, expressed in the modes pref
pny o py the STU IS the law
g3cies, are competent to choose President Of the
United States, and as it We're to eonsecrate him for
Athe discharge Of the duties of his high office!
II When their choice has been officially announced
all differences OF opinion and all acerbities Of feel
cling engendered by the canvass at once vanish and
all good citizens promptly and cheerfuy acquiesce
ain the decision Of the Constitutional majority.
"a AtrOcOuS and detestable as the crime of asSassi
sanation must be regarded under all circumstances,
Hit assumes yet deeper dye when it is apparent that
the object Of the murderer was not merely to take
The life of the President, but at the same time
by his felonious act, to defeat the expressed will
saof the American people, and to change the whole
3current OF the administration OF national affairs!
q 1t must be obvious to- every intelligent mind that
mortal wound inflicted under these circumstances
Jon the person of the President, Is dangerous aS-
ault on free institutions and the cause OF humanl
sailberty!
President, whose great Abilities large and varied
zattainments, catholic patriotism, manly courage.I
Il and Christian character, had commanded the eS-s
Steem and admiration OF his countrymen, and Of thes
whole civilized world and deep and tender as isl
afcton has exhibited SO many Of the noblest trats
#of womanhood-even these strong emotions cannotE
to forget the great and abiding wrong that
sshaS been done to our government and country
Human life is at most but span! By the law oil
nature the most robust must soon pass away The
affctions of individuals poignant ana heart-rends
ling they may be- under the merclful ordinances
#of our Creator yield to the soothing influences of
time and the consultations of religion. But wound
$infcted on free nstltutons--a blow struck atI
Republican gOvernment--is more farreaching and6
Scause Of human liberty through ali future ages!
Recognizing these great truths, this court doth
der that the foregoing paper be spread upon its
cords enduring memorial of their grief at the
Abruta murder of the President of the United States
3of their profound sympathy with his bereaved fam
drought this great calamity on them. the AmeriE
8can people, and on the cause OF human libertyA
the world!
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Stuart's adj
dress, Judge Christian said:
4 On Tuesday morning last this court exhibited byH
Wits official action how it affected by this great
Spublic calamity, and how it sympathiZed with thek
zcommon sorrow of the whole country
AS as the court met that day. its presidngE
socer announced the death of the President of theS
aUnited States and the court adjourned.
The court desiring, however, to place upon itsE
arecords in more enduring form than the meres
announcement of the Presidents death, and the ad h
sourneEt of the court requested of the OldeStS
Sand snost distinguished members of its Bar (andN
Zone who during his long and nored life, had been
CONNECTED with the Admlnistration OF the Federal
resolutions, to be entered on the records of thsH
scourt, as should stand as an enduring memorial of
Fits high respect and admiration for the honored dead
sof his heroic virtues and patriot as weliX
las of its profound sympathy in the public bereave
sworthily performed. It only remains say that the
scerk will enter thp paper just read by Mr. Stuart
supon the records of this court and that the court
swill now be adjourned.