The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-10


the exercises were OF the most interesting
and solemn character.
Judge Christian was, on motion OF judge
FitZhugh, made chairman. He made a
beautiful and feeling address. At the con-
clusion Of his remarks, and on motion Of
Judge George l.. Christian, st. George X.
Fitzhu2h, Esq, and Major Robert Stiles
were elected secretaries OF the meeting
and, on motion of Major Leigh X. Page,
the following Committee on Resolutions
was appointed-viz.: Messrs. Leigh r.
/ Page, Judge T.. II. Fitzhugh, James Alfred
Jones, Judge Beverly X. Wexford, Judge
Robert Ould, Judge W. W. Crump, Judge
George L. Christian, John o. steger, John
| II. Guy, Judge Richard Parker, J. s.
I Harnsberger, J. Thompson Brown, John
A. Waddill, James VI. Stubs, ex-senator
John W. Johnston, and j. V. Brooke.
During the absence of the committee let
| ters were read from Professor John b. Mi
nor, John 4. Campbell, Henry +. Blair,
Professor ). q. Southall, Hon. John W.
Daniel, Hon. A. II. II. Stuart, G.. W. Wat.
ties, Judge James Garland, and Robert
/ Crockett. Speeches were made by J. G..
| Booth, Esq. Judge Il. X. Wexford, Jr..
Robert ID. Ward, Esq, Judge Richard Par
kcr, Major Robert Stiles, c. G.. Griswold,
Esq, and W. c. Roane.
The committee on resolutions made the
following report:
The members Of the bench and bar Of
this Commonwealth, called together by the
death OF the Hon. Richard G. l.. Moncure,
desire not only to express a deep sense OF
their loss, but 10 bear witness 10 the great
value OF his public services, TO the rare
simplicity Of his character, the courtesy
and kindness OF his manner. and his sim
glc-minded devotion for a long life to the
profession OF his choice.
Very early in life he was elected a men,
Der OF the Legislature from Stafford, his
native county, but he soon retired from
political life, and devoted himself to his
profession. He was then appointed At
torney for the Commonwealth, which place
he filed until lSi9, when he was prevailed
upon again TO represent the county as 4
member of the House OF Delegates. The
revision OF our laws then excited great
measure Of public attention. and he was
appointed by that body chairman
Of the committee. While n member
Of the Legislature he was elected Judge OF
the Court Of Appeals to fill vacancy occa-
stoned by the death OF Judge Brooke. Soon
thereafter he was, under the new Constitu-
ton, again elected 10 the same office bv the
people, and without opposition. He con-
tinucd TO hold the position, with the eX-
ceptiOn OF a brief period, until removed
by the military power in the days OF re-
construction. When that political era had
ended he was reelected for 4 term OF twelve
year, from January, 1870, and was chosen
hy bis associates n president Of the court {;
and there he renamed until death closed
his useful and honored career.
The patient and earnest industry with
which he investigated every case before he
formed his judgment is well known, not
only to his associates upon the bench, but
to the bar throughout the State. His re-
corded opinions, covering period Of more
than thirty years, best attest his profound
learning, his extensive research, and the
independence with which he maintained
the views he had deliberately formed and
believed to be right. Ii any discrimination
is 10 be made H. 10 the value OF his opin-
ions, those in which he enforced the great
cardinal principles OF equity Jurisprudence
will. it is believed, be most highly esteemed
by the profession. No one could have dis
charged the duties OF his high office with
greater zeal and industry and loitier in
tcgrity.
While absolutely free from all Ostenta-
ton or pretence OF any kind, and caring
nothing for the eXtcrnals Of Office, he had
lust sense of the dignity OF the tribunal
over which he so long and so ably pre-
sided. There can be no doubt that his ma
ture was vehement and passionate, but he
had subdued it, aud though often provoked
il i believed that he seldom or never spoke
I H., e In hi- frianIS hinS he
was sincere and Jealous. OF warm and
generous heart, and most gentle and de-
voted husband, father, and son.
| From early manhood Judge Moncure
was an earnest member OF the Episcopal
/ Church. Indeed. the cornerstone OF his
reputation as man. a lawyer, and Judge
was his Christian character, manifested by
his love to God and his neighbor, con-
,i>tent always-forgetful never. He had
an eyer-prcscnt sense, that a. one OF the
chief magistrates Of Virginia, he was a
ruler rs well rs 4 law.giver, and was always
mindful of the sacred injunction that
- He that ruleth over men must be Just
ruling in the fear OF God"
/ We do not mourn for him as one stricken
down in the midst OF his usefulness, loI
we know that the rayages OF disease had
made life burden too heavy to bear; that
/ he was ut the end OF his pilgrimage-on the
very bank Of the riyer-awaitlng the la>t
summons. He had kept the faith, and was
ready to be delivered.
The loss oi such man at any period i
a calamity that all good men must deplore,
but i'm these times the blow falls most
heavily. 1t is our duty to take care thai
we and those vino come after Us do not lose
the benefit so pure and SpotcsS. We can
not willingly let die the memory OF such
virtue and excellence a. that which diSni'
fed and adorned the life OF our loved and
ycnerated friend and brother.
Resolved. That the foregoing is buta ius'
tribute OF respect and admiration TO tht
eminent ability, profound learning, ano
rare private virtue, exhibited in the lon-
and distinguished judicial career OF the
Hon. Richard c. L. MOncure.
ReSOlued. That the secretaries OF thl'
meeting forward copy OF these proceed
in0S TO the family OF the deceased, viii
the assurance OF our deep sympathy Will
them in their bereavement.
PssoIred. That Robert Ould, Esq, b,
rcouested TO communicate these proceed
inGs 70 the Court OF Appeals, and asked t'
b,ve them entered on the records, and tha
comics thereof be published in the trg'n't
lar Journal and daily papers OF this city
Avxru MEETING OF THE HOwITzEI
AssOcIATIox.- The annual meeting OF tn'
Uowitzer Association was held last nign
in the Hustings-Court room-Jaines l
Grav. Esq, in the chair; Inc ioilowlns
o,Hcers were elected for the ensuing year
PRESIDENT. George ID. Thaxton; Firs
yice.President, J. T. Ellyson; secon'
! vice-President, George II. PoindeXter
Treasurer. + d. Hill; Secretary, K. {
Wortham. u.Co-.h,,