The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-16

lSG5. there being no civil court In The city,
he was solicited by many Of the leading
LAWYERS to institute tribunal for the adj
iustment OF Confederate contracts. He
created court which he styled a
COURT or CANCELLATION,
and Judoe Meredith. Judge Henry w.
Thomas. and Judge William ii. Lyons
were Selected. Judge Meredith being the
when the Alexandria government be-
came established in the State In August,
1865, Governor PierpoInt
APPOINTED HIN TO HIS OLD POSITION
as Judge OF the Circuit Court OF the city Of
Richmond, and at the ensuing session OF
the Legislature he was unanimously elected
Judge OF that court.
He continued to I'll the position until by
act OF Congress all the offices OF the state,
on the Goth OF March, 1869, were declared
vacant. Judge Meredith then resumed the
practice Of his profession In Richmond.
By reason Of his extensive acquaintance
throughout the State, and OF the high repu-
tation he had won on the bench, he at once
succeeded TO large and
LUCRATIVE PRACTICE.
In the Supreme Court OF Appeals his
practice was rs large rs that OF any lawyer
in the State and he has been engaged, too,
in many OF the most important cases In the
Federal courts.
On the reorganization Of the city govern
ment in 1871 he was elected by the Council
CITY ATTORNEY,
a position he held for two years. After
his return to the bar Judge Meredith de-
cllned political prcferment, and though
nominated for seat in the Legislature
from this city. he rigidly adhered to the
practice Of his profession. He, however,
consented TO serve the city in the Board OF
Aldermen, as it did not interfere with the
practice OF his profession, and at the time
Of his death still held this position.
In recognition OF his attanments rs a
iurist Richmond College conferred upon
him
THE DEGREE OF IL. ID.
Among the public positions held by him
and not above referred to were captain and
afterwards colonel in the militia, chairman
OF the Conservative State Committee. and
delegate once or twice after the war to Ma
tional Democratic conventions. Before the
war he was a Henry Clay Wing. and was q
member of the State Central Committee OF
that party. At the time Of his death and for
many years previous he was a trustee OF
Richmond College, and always tool, great
interest in that institution. At the 81.
Louis Convention, which nominated Til
den. he was the chairman OF the Commit
tee on Resolutions and reported the plat
form.
The maiden name Of his wife was Sarah
4. Bernard, daughter OF William Ber-
nard, Of Belk Gil Owe, King George county.
A Celebrated Case.
One OF the most famous points decided
by the deceased while Judge was that oil
Rev. Mr.. feeling.
In the wear 1855, in Cronin's case, who
was indicted for the murder Of his wife, The
Rev. John feeling, Catholic priest, was
called rs witness for the defence. In the
course OF his examination il was sought to
extract from him the secrets OF the conies-
sional. and the question arose whether a
Catholic priest is compelled 10 disclose any
declaration made to him under the seal OF
that sacrament. Father feeling declined
in firm but respectful terms to disclose
what he had acquired "in the quality OF a
Catholic minister OF the sacrament Of pen
ance." and announced that although instant
death were to be the penalty OF his refusal
no power on carth-eccesiastical spiritual,
or temporal--not even the request, admo-
milton, or command Of the Pope himself
could dispense with the
PERPETUAL OBLIGATION or SECRECY
resting upon him. The question excited
at the time interest not only from its lega
but political bearings. The great Know
Nothing excitement was at It's height. Th,
legal point was one OF first impression in
Virginia. But little light could be gath
cred from the books, and that was conflict
ing. The whole range OF the English re
ports furnished no case in which the cues
fion had ever arisen in respect TO Catho
lie priest. only loose dictd OF judges upoT
the general question of exemption 0i clcr
cymen from disclosing communication
made to them by prisoner in cases no
involving degradation, breach OF oaths, ant
4 violation OF
CLERICAL. DUTIES
could be found in the elementary books
and those loose dictd were i'm conflict will
/ one another. With the exception OF tn
/ General Sessions Court for New York cit.
no case could be found where the pOin
had been decided in America. Ii was in
deed grave and difficult question, rs vel
rs most interesting to the profession AM
the general community. Judge Meredltl
held that Father feeling was entitled to th
privilege OF declining to answer question
touching the confessional, alike by author
ity As far as the decisions had gone, by an
alogy to the professional privileges OF at
torneys, by the spirit OF our organic ant
statutory cnactments, il not by their lei
ter; that the
sACRAMENTs OF A RELIGION
are its most essential elements, and tha
the administration Of its ordinances an
ceremonies is esscntia, 10 it, free exercise
This celebrated case, and many others l
which Judge Meredith took part as judg
or counsel, are referred TO in the book en-
. titled Representative Men OF the South.
The sketch OF Judge Meredith there va
written by an eminent member OF the ltici
mond bar, and does justice to Judge Mere
dith's character and aitainments.
DEATH OF AN EsTnABLE IoUNG LADY,
Miss Mildred Ryan, sister of Mr.. Willial
Ryan. of the State, died at the residence
hermother. Adams street between Main IN
Cary. Yesterday morning about G:30 o'clocl
She was q member OF the second Presb!
terian (Dr. Hoge's) church. Altogeth,
lovely in her life, she met death with ii
sublincet faith and cOmforted her wecpin
relatives bv assurances OF the perfect peat
into which she felt she was entering.
vourp lady of excellent attainments an
.r.cat attractiyencss, she had long been Il
Victim OF disease and the object Of IL
most afIectionate soliciiude OF the hous
hold. Her venerable mother and III
iovino brothcrs and sisters have the tende
, est sympathies OF their many friends.
Her body was taken b. last nights trai