The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-05-25
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
OF Bar Resolutions
ON Judge Winkler's Death
TO the Commissioners
of Appeals.


the Hon. Clinton NJ. Winkler, late judge
OF the court OF appeals OF this state.
ON the 18th inst. he was summoned to
appear before n tribunal from which
there can be no appeal, and to hear from
the Judge of all the earth the merited
plaudit Of, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant, enter thou into the JOY
OF thy Lord"
At n meeting OF the bar, held on the
day of his death, these resolutions were
adopted:
WHEREAS, The Hon. G. NJ. Winkler,
Judge OF the court Of appeals OF the state
OF Texas, has departed this Life, in the
midst OF his usefulness, and while en-
gagged In the faithful discharge of the re-
sponsible duties entrusted to him by the
people of the state; be IL
ResOloed, 1. That the bar now In at
tendance not only give utterance to their
own sentiments, but echo those OF their
brethren throughout the state of Texas,
In deploring the death of the deceased
judge as public calamity OF no ordinary
moment.
2. That so long as unselfish patriotism,
unsullied integrity and fidelity 10 every
trust and duty, whether public or pri-
vate, shall be held IN esteem, that long
will the name and memory OF g. Nj.
Winkler be enshrlned in the annals of
Texas and the hearts OF her people.
De
mented deceased our most heartfelt sym
patty in their bereavement and sorrow,
and the secretary of this meeting is In
structed to communicate to them these
revolutions.
They speak so fully, though briefly,
the sorrow and the gloom which this
melancholy event has cast over our peo-
pie, that there is little LETT for me to say
In presenting them to the bench. In the
other high courts already have eulogies
been pronounced in terms so elaborate
and words so eloquent, by my elders in
the profession, that IL seems as II there
were not room to lay another flower upon
the tomb of him whose death we this day
mourn.
Much has been said, but too much can
hardly be said OF the perfection of his
character us man. His was one of those
noble natures in which the defects flor
what man has them mott were to-
tally obscured by the brightness of
his many virtues. 1t was not my good
fortune to be very intimate with him in
private life, but have met him in band
of brothers, where he lowered among
his fellows as a counsellor worthy to be
heard and an exemplar fit TO be followed.
Living, he received at their hands the
highest honors in their gift, and dead, his
memory Is enshrlned in the hearts of that
fraternity, to whom he has bequeathed
the loving care of his widow and his
orphans.
Others have spoken in words of burning
truth OF the glorious deeds which he has
done In days gone by upon the field of
battle. He answered to the first bugle
note which sounded, calling him, with
other sons OF Texas, from the forum to
the field. He followed the fortunes of a
cause now lost. through all the GIBBS and
floods of war, in the sunshine of victory
and IN the gloom of defeat, now stOrming
the heights of Gettysburg, now turning
back the charger OF his chieitain at the
Wilderness, but ever treading in the mar
row path of a soldiers duty till the stars
and bars went down on the field of APP
pomatox.
Then he returned to the walks of peace.
He shared the fortunes of ruined people,
and lent his aid in rebuilding the pros
perity of his country, wrecked and
stranded by the tempest OF civil strife.
He was ere long called to renew his
course rs legislator, and to begin his ca
reer as a jurist.
Bnt however much we may admire his
character as man or his fame as a soldier,
II Is to his record as judge, that lawyers
look with the greatest satisfaction. He
roes have challenged the admiration of
the world by their valor aud poets have
embalmed their deeds in immortal song /;
with their telescopes aud written their
names upon the stars; every field of sci
ence, literature and adventure has de-
veloped the highest types OF manly excel
lence but the perfect judge who has the
capacity to understand his duty and the
integrity to perform il at every hazard,
for many sided symmetry and true eleva-
ton of character eXcels them all. The
highest courage which can animate the
HIM IL Ia
such bravery as theirs that must bear up
the lofty spirit of the impartial judge as
he holds the scales of justice between his
fellow men. The base suggestions of
self interest must not warp his judgment,
cloud his intellect, or cause his hand to
talter. The treaeherous whisper of de-
traction, the foul breath OF SANDER, or
even the howlings of the mob itselfmust
not shake or slacken his high purpose
and ans firm motives. The pure metal of
an honest heart must be polished and
frightened by the increasing exertiOns
of n vigorous intellect. An honest pur-
pose will avail but little should he grope
MS way in darkness unaided by
the light OF a sound discretion and liberal
learning. However great his own eXpe-
rience, he should add thereto the stores
of knowledge that have been garnered
up for ages by the great reapers and
cleaners that have gone before. If n
Judge would attain the very summit of
perfection, he must have honesty for the
Foundation stone of his character. To
his honesty let him add discretion and
to his discretion, ability; and to his abil-
ity, learning; and to his learning, in
dustry ard to his indrstry, patience (;
and to his patience, zeal, snd to his zeal,
fidelity and to his fidelity, fairness and
to his fairness, temperance and to his
temperance, truth; and let him crown
this pyramid of perfection with the most
priceless of all stones, the gem of justice.
Such Is the lofty ideal OF what judge
should be, presented to my mind by a
contemplation of the exalted duties of
that high station. The character of a
perfect judge may well make upon the
mind of the novelist an impression SIM
liar to that produced by the ideal image
of Apollo, that perfect type of manly
be auty, upon the cultivated fancy of the
Greek sculptor. However, no human
soul has yet filed up the measure OF per-
lection no human effort has yet accom-
plished the attainment OF the highest
good. But many bold hearts have dared
to enter the race for this glittering goal,
and have far outstripped their fellows
though they have not won the prize.
How far the lamented judge whose
menory we this day honor approached
this exalted standard is not for me to say.
Let the searcher of all hearts determine.
1 only know that of the many exalted
virtues which are inwrought together in
making up the diadem, he had his share.
His name is written in letters as indellible
as they are honorable, ON the judicial his
tory of our state. Let us hope that IT Is
also written in that brighter book which
shall be opened at the end of time, the
record OF eternal hope.
Chas. s. Morse, ESQ.,, then addressed
the court in the following heartfelt re-
marks
May IL please the Court: -.
feel that also have something to offer
as a tribute to the memory of our friend.
1 call him friend, and / feel proud that
my humble walk ia life has been such
that he honored me with hIs friendship.
More than once in the last twelve years
has that friendship been tested, and as
many times has it been found as true as
the needle to the pole.
When his Christian spirit plumed itself
for flight, and the last breath had been
drawn, as l bent over his lifeless form,
and gently closed the lids over his sight
less eyes, his gentle, loving wife, looking
up at me through her fast falling tears,
remarked che was your best friend.'
And she was right. Six short years ago,
when the court OF appeals, OF which he
was member. was organized, Ii was
through his kindness and friendship that
l was appointed by the court as their
clerk at Galveston. A few months since,
when the Office of clerk of the supreme
court was made vacant by the death of
that faithful old clerk, W. p. Denorman-
die, IL was Judge Winkler who headed
the other members OF his court and the
judges of the commission OF appeals, aud
went In body TO suggest my name to the
supreme court tor the position.
Much has been said of the love
entertained for Judge Winkler by all of
the judges of our higher courts. He is
80 haro 10 Of fh. lowo ~ L.. a -