The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-15
speechse OF Major w. vi walton
and Justice Woods.

speechse OF Major w. VI walton
aud Justice Woods.
Saturday upon the assembling of the
United States circuit court very inter
esting proceeding took place, being the
presentation, by Major W NJ. Walton,
on behalf of the Austin bar, of the pOr-
trait of the late Judge Duval to the court
Major Walton addressed the court as
follows:
May 1t please the Court
At the request of the immediate friends
and relatives OF the late Judge Thomas
ii. Duval, for many years the judge OF
this court, present this picture OF him
executed by the hands of affection, to the
circuit court of the United states.
In doing this l am honored, and IL gives
me great pleasure.
l was long acquainted with Judge
Duval-for more than quarter of GEN.
tury.
KNEW him well.
II, in paying u tribute to him, should
break the bounds of truth 1. would Sc
rlously wound his spirit, and do dlshoDor
10 the memory he desired to leave on
earth, and be at war with that sincerity
aud candor which with him were inyiol-
able In life.
Early after his death the bar OF this
city held a meeting and adopted resolu-
tons commemorative of their esteem OF
him, but they are weak, as, indeed, all
words are and must be, when attempting
to describe his real and true merits.
We all knew his virtues, unbroken
truth and uniform candor.
He lived a full man all his life.
Descended from a noble family, he was
Interior TO none OF all the race.
In KanfnREW ElnrfHa and TaXaQ no
took rank with the foremost and best
citizens.
He never sought Office but was often
called by the voice OF the people and
governmental authorities to discharge
the duties Of important and dignifled
positions.
He practlced law and was faithful to
his clients. As areporter OF the decisions
OF the supreme court, his work was per-
feet. Assecretary OF state, no duty was left
undone. AS judge OF the district court
of the state he was just and merciful.
when called to the high estate he occu
pied when called away by God. he held
the scales of justice so evenly balanced
that wrong had no weight. His judicial
discretion was soundly exercised; his
judicial expressions were brief and plain
full yet conclse-prepared with care .and
uttered kindly, firmly and impartially.
From him the adult criminal had nothing
The youthful offender had I'm him father
he would correct, yet help.
As judge he was able, upright, pure,
impartial, just, firm, dignined, yet merci-
full and courteous.
Honest In his own convictions, he was
tolerant OF the opinions of others.
He was especially loved by the younger
members OF the bar; he knew how they
struggled, and sympathised with them.
His official and personal life were
without n blemish. AS n man, he was
temperate and moral; rs citizen, law
abiding and patriotic; as a husband, de-
voted and faithful; as u father. indulgent,
liberal aud LOVING; as friend, unwaver-
Dug, constant and self-sacriticing; In social
lille, genial, generous and charitable; in
manners, polite, yet simple aud unde-
monstrative; IN principles, fixed; III pur-
suits, patient and persistent.
His sincerity and integrity were never
questloned--in public or private, In
either great or small things. His word
given, was irrevocable. His feelings
were strong; his nerves of iron; his forth
tude unsurpassed.
The memory OF such q man should be
perpetaAted--on speaking canvass, in en-
during brass and In purest marble. The
memory OF such man is an heritage TO
mankind, sacred heirloom to the ma
ton, and invaluable to the citizen,
What can 80 suitably adorn this Temple,
dedicated to justice. us the life-like pic
ture or this Just judgel See the kindly
smile, the benignant look, the outgoing
yet ever existant courtesy. Self-reliant,
but a seeker of truth, to which nothing
could interpose barrier, and from its
requirement neither men, circumstances
nor Universities could make HIM hesitate.
What was right he did. What was
wrong had his eternal Cnmity.
An arm of the great judiciary of
the United States, he was worthy
TO be--.a judiciary of unsurpassed
learning, unsulled integrity, nm
deviating and honest adherence
to the fundamental principles of
justice-in war and In peace, in all
conditions under all circumstances, yet
he was worthy, and still he was worthy
TO sit as a judge among such judges,
TO administer the law tempered with
mercy, and to grant the full mede of JUS
tice MS equity asks, and as equity de-
mands.
I speak of him personally because
as n man he belonged to us, and L
speak OF him as judge because as such
he belonged to the whole country.
Let his picture adorn these walls for
ever-let our memories turn to and
dwell on his projections as often as we
look Mt it-let us emulate his virtues
the nobility of his nature, his generous
and beautiful character, and let memory
Of HIM In all that he was, rest with us as
n BENSON.
May hope that the court will receive
this picture and permit II place in this
hall, here to remain until we, pass away,
warning, u blessing, a good TO all of us
aud to those who Will fill our places
when we are dead.
Upon the conclusion of the remarks of
Major Walton, Mr.. Justice Woods said;
We cheerlully accede to the request
just made, and direct that the portrait be
hung upon the walls of this court room.
It will be u pleasure to us, and &c all who
knew Judge Duval, to see when they
come here this counterfeit presentment
of his honest and kindly face.
The life and death and public services
of Judge Duval are familiar To this COM
munity, In which he lived for more than
thirty-hve years. L can, therefore, say
nothing on these subjects not well known
% all whom my words may reach. l can
but express my appreciation OF his char
acter and qualities.
1 first met Judge Duval in February,
1871. We were associated as Judges of
the circuit court of the United States for
the western district of Texas, from that
time up to his death, In October, 1880.
was ut once impressed with his sim
plicity, purity and uprightness. In the
administration of Justice he was perfectly
poised and perfectly transparent. Thor
oughly trained In the Jurisprudence OF
Texas, relied upon his knowledge OF
local law and upon his clear perception of
what justice aud right demanded.
l think that all, however much they
may have differed from him, will now
agree that during the late unhappy civil
war Judge Duval exhibited great quail
ties. This is the fitting time and place TO
bear testimony TO his devotion to the
country, the constitution and the Union.
No threatened loss OF friends or property,
no peril of life, limo or personal liberty,
no Office OF honor and preferment, could
shake his purpose to uphold the
cause of his country in the hour
of its extremity. In the midst OF
was excited to the highest degree in
favor OF secession, and where he with
others of like sentiments took his stand
for the union OF the states and the digni-
ty OF the government, from his posi-
tion he could not be driven or seduced.
have often heard him recount the pc rils
and hardships which he was compelled to
undergo in those trying times. think
the great satisfaction oil his life was in
in peril he espoused her cause and main
tanned 1t to the end.
am sure he treasured up no malice
against those with whom he differed.
When he saw peace restored and the
authority of the national government re-
established, his kindly nature forgave the
enemies OF the Union, and his own, IL he
had any. 1 know that the return of the
era OF friendship and paternal regard
betw cen the lately waring sections of the
country and between men Of different
sentiments In the same section was to him
source of great pleasure and satisfac-
ton.