The Wilmingtonian., 1882-09-30

esteem, and steadily advancing to the at
tainment OF the highest judicial station, am
4 ply vindicated the wisdom of his selection.
A recapitulaton of his professional abors
would be summary of tile judicial istory
of the State for more than one third of its
existence. The written law was largely
compiled by his hand and the unwritten is
evidenced by his Reports.
! Other men may have obtained wider
reputation and achieved more brilliant sue
cess, but there are few to whom it has been
given to confer more substantial benefits
upon whole community.
For the position of Judge he was, by
nature, admirable adapted. With mind
reflected rather than suggestive he was not
prone to indulge in legal speculations, but
was content to found his Judgment upon the
law as it had been established The maxim,
''stare deciSes" which he adopted as the
motto of his Reports constituted the index
to his judicial character.
Patient of toll, his diligence was unre-
willing to hear 10th sides. Possessed of a
kindly disposition, he was uniformly cour-
teous in his department. Serupulous in his
integrity, to use his own words in the case
of Rice gs. Foster, he would ''much rather be
right than be consistent
To him the imposition of duty carried
with it the obligation to perform it with fl
deity and he brought to the administration
Of the minutest details of the business of the
Orphans Court the same unwearied atten-
ton and careful investigation that he be-
slowed upon the most important cause in
the Court of Errors and Appeals.
His whole life was a system OF labor, and
in this respect each day was but a repetition
of the former. Stricken with paralysis he
W S for two years almost prortrated; but so
unconquerable was his determination to do
something, that disease could not overcome
it; and with him to cease to work, was to
cease to live.
In the midst of his Judicial labors he was
not fGse = .-e At .,rial 81 ests Of the
people. He found time to advance system
of internal Improvement; aud, intense in
whatsoever lie undertook, to him, perhaps,
more than to any other, we are indebted for
the completion of that line of travel and
transportation which has done so much to
enhance the value of our lands and develop
nothing else, the Delaware Railroad ought
to endear his memory to this people, and en-
severance in securing this instrument of
their prosperity.
Though Judge, he was not unmindful
of his duty as citizen; and his views of the
relation subsisting between the States and
the National Government induced him to
take decided stand with reference to the
conflict that threatened the disruption OF
the Union. The measures of the admins
tration for the oppression of the rebellion
found in him warm supporter. He regar-
, ded secession as rank treason, and he had
neither liberation for the act nor sympa hy
with the actors.
Thus faithful to his Government he did
} not neglect the higher obligations which he
owed to his God A member of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, he was unobtru-
sive in his devotions and unostentations in
his piety. Acknowledging his dependence
upon Higher Power, he manifested in his
life, that his actions were governed by the
principles of religion which lie was not
ashamed to confess.
A useful citizen, a true patriot and up.
right Judge, and a sincere christian, those
; among whom he was born, with whom he
: dwelt and for whom he wrought, are moi
nsensible Of his merits, nor will they be for.
getful of his labors.