The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-13
GUILD, LYONS, AND GILES.
THE MEMORY OF THESE Tuarr
GREAT MEN HONORED IN the
SUPREME COURT
THURSDAY.
The Resolutions Of the Riehuoud
Bar Presented by Hon. 10.
seph Christian.

| .ses HtVn.
seph Christian.
In the Supreme Court OF Appeals Thurs
day, after the opinions had been delivered
Hon. Joseph Christian Gate Judge of thai
COURT spoke as follows:
May IL please the Contributing the re,
cess OF this court after its last session the
bar OF this city assembled in this room to
| pay their tribute OF respect TO the memoirs
OF three OF the most distinguished mem.
bers OF this bar, whose deaths occurred
within less than a month Of each other
James Lyons. who died on the 18th OF De-
cember, 1882, aged eighty-two years
Thomas L. Giles, who died on the 10Th of
January, 1888, aged eighty years; ana Ro-
bert Ould, who died on the 10Th OF Decem-
Der, 1882, aged sixty-two years.
was instructed by that meeting TO pre-
sent the memorials and resolutions then
adopted TO this honorable court, with the
| request that they be entered on its records.
The deaths OF three such men occurring
so close together make us pause and turn
aside for time from everyday judicial
routine long enough TO place on record and
make perpetual these memorials which
their surviving brothers in our noble pro-
fesslon bring here as a Just tribute to their
memory.
In the discharge OF the duty assigned to
me, all ] propose to do Is TO make brief
reference TO the professional and public
career Of these distinguished lawyers and
eminent citizens, whose memory is dear
TO every Virginian, especially to every
member OF the Bench and Bar OF this state.
James Lyons.
James Lyons was born i'm the year 1900.
He came into the world With the century,
a century noted for the grandest progress
Of civilization, OF invention, OF science, OF
the progress OF liberal ideas and free gov
eminent; a century i'm which the world adj
Nanced beyond all others which have gone
before. For nearly three quarters Of cen
fury he was prominent and useful citizen
In all the affairs OF this city and State. He
was educated at the old College OF William
and Mary college which has given to
Virginia and the Union more great men,
more Presidents, more Cabinet officers.
more senator's. more great lawyers. than
ally other college i'm the United States.
From such an alma Mater he drew the
inspiration OF knowledge and chivalry
which illustrated his genius aud character
through long life.
Coming to the bar at an early age, when
he had barely reached his majority, he soon
stepped into the front ranks OF his profess
sion.
There were giants in our profession in
those DAYS. The great trumyirate OF the
bar-Beniamin Watkins Leigh. Chapman
johnson, and Robert Standard-were at
this Bar then. But these great lights of the
profession did not eclipse the rising young
man. He was soon in the front with them.
and soon showed himself to he the peer Of
any OF them.
For more than fifty years Mr.. Lyons had
the largest and most varied practice OF any
lawyer that ever lived in Virginia. His
practice was not confined 10 any particular
branch OF the profession. lie was a great
advocate as well as a great lawyer. Before
juries as well a. before courts, in the COM
mOn-law courts as well as i'm the intricate
maiZes Of chancery causes, he was equally
at hOme-cver ready. and always the master
OF the situation. Take him from the IIust-
ings Court to the Court OF Appeals. in the
argument before Jury, in the preparations
OF bills OF exceptions, In making a perfect
record, and in his final argument before the
appellate court, he was one OF the greatest
lawyers ever saw.
Nature was prOiuse i'm her gifts 10 him.
physical rs well as mental. His splendid
physique, his tall and graceful form, his
sOnorous voice. and the courtesy and chi
yalry OF his bearing would have made him
man Of mark any and everywhere. In
him was combined more than in any other
man | ever knew the Sudrter IN mOdO with
the fOrtiter IN re.
have spoken Of blm as a lawyer. and IT
is only necessary 10 refer To- the Reports Of
this court to show that Mr.. Lyons was mp
to the time that the hand Of disease was
laid upon hIm counsel in almost every case
OF importance before this court, and IN
many cases before the Supreme Court OF
the United States.
As a citizen aud as a patriot he was pre-
eminent in his devotion to this city and to
this State. As member OF the Legisla-
ture and the City Council, and as a mem
Der OF the Confederate Congress, be de-
voted his great talents and energies 10 the
interests OF this city aud this state. He
was an ardent patriot and proud Virgin
ian-proud OF her history and her iradi-
tons. and loving her with the devotion OF
"A son to a mother.
Those of us who knew him in private
and social life can never forget his genial
manners, his wonderful conversational
powers, and his splendid and lavish h0spi-
tally. After living beyond the age usually
allotted to mortals, over fourscOre years.
he has passed away 10 his rest, leaving to
his State the unblemished record Of pa
triot statesman to his children the heri-
tage OF great name, and TO Us. his sur
yiyors. an example worthy Of all imitation.
Thomas r. Giles.
Within a month after the death OF Mr..
Lyons. and within two years OF the same
age. died another distinguished member OF
the bar-Thomas II. Giles.
He was the son Of one OF the most dis
tineuished men OF Nirginia-William b.
Giles. Governor OF Virginia, and for twelve
wears senator OF the United States, and in
| that body of great men OF that day he was
distinguished ~ one OF the ableSt debaters
on the floor OF the Senate.
His son. Thomas i. Giles, received a
liberal education. and entered upon the
profession of law early in life. For fifty
wears he was engaged in lucrative practice,
and distinguished himself especially as a
chancery LAWYER. Though not a politician
m the sense OF seeking office, he was at one
time the leader Of the Democratic party in
| Virginia.
His speeches on the hustings and his
editorials in the Richmond Enquirer were
campaign documents, ana gave the cue to