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

ment long years ago when we both arrived
at this place on the same day, to enter
upon the study of the law as our chosen
professionals coming from his native Dis
:rct, Laurens, where he was reared and
where he received the rudiments of lis
education. 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 fail TO recall single circum-
stance that ever occurred, III all that perlod,
to mar the harmony of our intercourse
never an unkind word having passed be-
tween US. In view of all this should be
recrcant 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 III what
I shall say to intrude upon the sacred prl-
vacy 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. de who tempers the wind to
the sLorn lamb" will take them under His
protecting care.
Mai. Baxter was gifted with rare tellec-
tual powers-endowed with faculties which
eminently fitted him for the profession
which he adoraed so highly. he was not
what might be called popular speaker,
abounding in the graces OF oratory ana
possessing the power to sway the thronglng
multitude. He seldom attempted fights OF
fancy, but always spoke in language un-
adorned, but pure and chsste. His style OF
speaking vas logical and argumentatlVe,
never failing to impress upon those who
heard him the conviction of mis- own ear
nestness in 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 N
whatever business was committed to. his
charge, and exhibited devotion to his
an profession and untiriDg industry IN the
cause of his clients such as is rarely equalled.
He was thoroughly grounded in the ele-
mentary principles Of the law, and when
ever in tie preparation of his cases he had
occasion TO investigate legal principle ne
always resorted TO the fountains Of the ID"
for his information, Instead of relying upon
the reports Of recently decided cases. lie
believed that 'the reason of the law was
the life of the law" and he searched for 1t IN
the writings of the sages of the law. He
was no cease 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 to the emergency as his
case srembled in the balance. He knew no
such word as fail. .:.
But he is gone from amongst us, never
to return. No more shallwe hear his voice;
no more shall we zee his genial face in this
,, forum. Life's ftful fever is DER, he sleeps
we'll.
Death is terrible under all circumstances
whether it knocks at the door OF the rich
mans palace or the poor mans hoVel-
| whether it comes in the sunlight of day or
ir the darkness of the night-whether it
comes as a swift messenger swapping the
thread of life by single stroke, or by
the slow gradatious of consuming disease.
| When it selects as it's victim man who
has lived out his allotted time tits an event
| which creates no surprise and makes but
little impression; but when 1t 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 has
taken away from US our friend and brother
should remind US "what shadows we are,
and what shadows we PURSUE" and serve
as a useful lesson to admonish US to be pre-
pared when the dread summons shall cali
for US, as it surely will.
Mr.. George Johnstone said
rise for one moment to lay garland
on the grave Of our deceased comrade.
| This much is due to him with whom began
the study of law, and from whom have de-
|. rived more Information than from any one
else. This is due to one who possessed
more ability than was necessary to raise
him to any position in his profession to
which he might have aspired. His social
life was as striking and as brilliant as his
professional life. That part of his character
which appeared to me the most loVeaole
and the most admirable manifested ltSef ID
social intercourse. There were few to
whom the pleasures OF social life were
dearer, and few who contributed more
to the pleasure of others. He has left US
g legacy We cannot forget, AMI has pointed
out to US career that We should diligent!!
follow. His life was without malice and
enmity, and in his death be has left neither
malice nor enmity.
Mr.. Silas Johnstone said:
Iwould add a few words to testify my
high regard for our deceased brother. More
than thirty years ago met him Tor the
first time: and was struck with his won
derful conversational powers. 4-lser his
admission to the Bar he soon gained
practice alongside of the best lawyers OF
the'day and for the last fifteen years ne