Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-21

conduct In lie Is well remembered Dy
his contemporaries. He had foibles.
Who had not2 But his virtues so
largely predominated that they need
hardly be mentioned. As a lawyer he
was impetuous, over jealous at times,
apparently irascible, seeing nothing
but the interest of his client, and
seemingly almost forgetful Of every
thing else. Occasionally he wouldinthe
excitement OF the moment, in the heat
of the contest. use words, or empha.
size words, innocent enough in them
selves, in such a way as 70 wound OPP
posing counsel. Yet no one was so
prompt as he to apologize-to beg par
don, to heal the wound. He was so
generous, so magnsnimous, his heart
was as big asthe world.
He was ardent, studious, attentive,
painstaking, indefatigable, learned,
and in short, lacked nothing to insure
his triumph but good cause. His
Judgment was clear, his memory re-
tentive, his analysis Of facts and law
keen, his will vigorous. His whole
soul was in his case.
He made no p~retentions TO oratory,
the only object being not to shine, but
to win. He had no time nor inclinR.
ton to Gull flowers Of rhetoric as he
passed along, his whole thought was
the victor's goal, which he was aiming
to reach in safety with his client. He
burned ofttimes the midnight
lamp. Sometimes was up with
the morning light, and once OF
oftener was seen in our law library be.
fore breakfast, wearing his slippers
and a morning robe. intent upon look.
ing into some law book, which he
hoped would settle the law in his
favor. When he undertook the man.
agement Of a cause, no matter how
long it lasted, he knew no rest till il
was tried and finally decided. And il
Ras this restlessness, resulting il
prostration OF nervous energy thai
apped the foundations of life anC
bore him away from us when he haG
just arrived at the point Of creates
usefulness.
Broken temples and fractured m n
uments, cast down by the hand Of time
excite regret in the bosom, but thesI
possess no souls that suffer and endure
The saddest Eight that meets the hu
man eye is astrong man in ruins. Hos
grieyous to lock upon our friend in tn,
last year Of his life. The song Of hope
which bore him upward and onwar,
in earlier years, dead 10 the heart; tn
bright visions Of youth faded int
nethingness; disease playing havoc
with his features; the gait shamblina
the eye sunken, but beaming with Al
unnatural light; the man sttemptini
to reassert himself, but failing; til,
voice. once resonant and musical
sinking into q whisper and becomipl
almost inaudible. How painful arr
thy ways, o DEATH
General Humes never courtec
popularity. He had u time
to indulge e 10 fsttery or In
those arts which win the popu.
lace. He was too much in earnest.
too direct in everything for that.
What he wanted to do, what his judy
ment and conscience told him to do he
did, and left consequences to take care
OF themselves. He was ambitious,
but employed no underhand means to
attain positions He was made for a
high toned leader, whether in'peace or
IL the field; not an obsequious follower,
While not hastily forming opinions.
be was able 10 state what he thought
and why he thought so in q bold, In.
telligent manner, and to act upon his
convictions. As a lawyer he did not
succeed because of his suavity of adj
dress Though he possessed fine man.
ners), nor because OF outside inhu-
enoes, but for the reason that people
had confidence in his capacity. In his
zeal and 10 his untlagging energy. He
did his duty; he left all else to time
aud chance perfectly careless and in.
different seemingly as to what might
come OF II.
ntps. generous was he to bis legal
Drethren; lie was always disposed TO
speak veil OF them, and if he could
not consistently do 50 by any one for
good reasons, he said nothing,
GENERAL Hlmes did not practice
law to get rich by it.. He had
sne same IDEAS 5 the old
mIseeL5. II was, IN his opinion,
nisnly honorable profession. he
was anxious 70 secure q competency
,or nlmsen q family, aud something
W spare, u ABOVE all TO win an hon
e'S
Jul i,iena was q hrm believer 10
lou ana 10 d works OF Divine Prov
ne was certain IN mind that
~. 4nIy wa q world created, but
i. us ~ was sun ruled and governed by
oup.gme being, and however liked
were tne laws OF the universe, the
mpIal laws OF his kingdom we're
H. hands and fully applied
9y MN as suited his purposes, He
~ J gaik upon religion much but
paac.iced us molly precepts 10 many
H Wy ne thought that consisted in
fgou AeilonS' not 10 mere professions.
Inc WIDOW and orphans were cared
IoI, ana ne exercised active beneVo.
renee. lie was fully satisfied that the
~easu Oh TINS world were after all
y ueetlng, and believed that God, in
nus goodness had reserved heavenly
HEusl9ns ior those who fully per.
men duties; who, while living
- me W9fld' lived above the world,
aHu acted as though the true mission
nan In this lite was to so live in the
Sorld as that Il should be the better
ior his having lived in it. Only q few
Iays peiore ne LETT Memphis for the
last time he spoke 10 me while on tho
way from the courthouse to his office.
taxing me Eently by the arm. he said
ne wished me not to speak of
y out thathe knew his days were mum
dered, that he would soon die.
mat he bad before faced death, and
sOftened and greatly movad ~ n,
disclosed FULLY the religious side Of
iaoteh hardly wished to pro-
S lSIR ~ nimsen eOhrlstian, SO unworthy
' Nc himself at that moment
" Dc. DOuDtle66 he rememberad