Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-11-28

III HuWhtH LeCtuEt.-EufduauA U
4 previous notice a lecture was delivered b.
Dr. Peer W. Hawkins ia the court house
s Tuesday evening, on 1.-THE mosaic Geological
Record: ar, the Coexistent Harmony of tn
3 Bible aud Science" A small but very re
I spectacle sssemblage, including several ladie
{ was present to heat the subject discussed N
well AS to contribute a mite towards the ppr
chase Of tomb to mark the resting place o
the honoreI and loved late John W. Mitch.
s ell Mr. John T. Davis called the assemblagC
TO order and suggested Mr.. r. II Edelen AS
chairman. The suggestion Of Mr. Edelcn a:
chairman, was a most suitable one, as he had
been the life long and bosom friend, Of NJ
Mitchel's during his life time, and who
seems to have been endowed by nature or to
have breathed in his soul f.om association the
many noble traits Of character Of the de-
ceased. Mr.. Edelen in slow and graceful
steps assembled the judges stand, and for thirty
minutes entertained his audience with a
most fitting aud beautiful tribute to Mr..
Mitchells memory. The Doctor then began
his lecture. He EXHAUSTED his subject very
fully, and from his standpoint his argument
was very forcible. His hearers listened very
attentively TO him throughout, but his 81 ject
was rather too deep for the ordinary mind
to gasp The following are the remarks Of
SIR Edeen upon assuming the craftsmanship
Of the mesting to which we before alluded
We have assembled here, ladies and gen.
ilemen, this afternoon in response to one of
the noblcst sentiments and impulses that
warns and elcvates the human heart, that
sentiment or impulse which prompts the liy-
ing to honor the memory Of the good and
virtuous dead.
One, whose genial face was once so familiar
10 US all, one who was respected, admired
and loved by this whole community as never
man WAS loved before, has finished his earth
ly labors, and passed from time to Eternity;
and to-day, We, his surviving friends and ad-
mirers have turned from the bustlng scenes
of active life, have closed our ears to the
wild roar of the political waves, and stand
ing IN spirit beside the grave Of our departed
friend and brother, John W. Mitchell, have
come to lay thereon the tribute of our affection
aud love. And it is right and fit and proper
that this work of mournful pleaspr. should
be by US performed.
John W. Mitchell, my friends, was no or
binary man. There were points and traits
in his character and life that lifted him high
above the plane of ordinary humanity, points
aud traits, that deserve to I've emphasized and
call for recognition a, the hands Of the living.
For more than quarter Of century Mr.
Mitchell had stood a central, commanding
figure in our midst, occupying most promi
nent place in the public eye, always ready
and willing TO lend the aid of his wise coun-
sci and give his unrequited labor in futher-
ance of any work calculated TO promote the
public good More than once he was called
by the people OF this county TO represent them
in the Halls of Legislation at Annip',lis. =
There his acknowledged abilities as lawyer
his character and standing as "A m found
ready recognition and caused him to lie as
signed TO the Craftsmanship Of the Judiciary
committee Of the House of Delegates place
always accorded to the best men in the body.
He reprcs, nted the people OF this county Ia
the Constitutional Convention Of 1864, and
| can bear personal testimony to the distin-
gushcd ability and entire fidelity, he brought
10 the discharge of the duties then devnlvcd
upon him. Had the peoples wishes in his re-
gard been carried out he would have been
transferred to other aud higher fields Of use
fulness and wtightier and more delicate pHh-
lie trusts would have been deyolvei upon
him. In this temple consecrated 10 the ad-
ministration Of Justice, the scene Of his forea-
eric lalors and intellectual triumphs,
whose fortune il was 10 lie often opposed to
him and often associated with him in the
rial Of cause, hear my unstintcd tesimnn
this day to his pre-cminent abilities as a law
yer. In the pilgrimage of life have met
men who were more gifted of speech men
who could captivate jures by the powers OF
heir eloouerce and enchain the attention of
ndmiring audtories, but in wise counsel aud
solid argument he was ex,elled by none.
Endowed by nature with intellectual ahili-
ties of high order, he had by the aid of la
|borious study aud partial research made OF
his mind Y ,st storehouse of legal knowl-
edge from which he could re IDLY draw his
supplies. as occs sion demanded. He pursued
the study of the law with zeal aud ardor
amounting almost to enthusiasm, and seemed
never so happily occupied Ms when engaged
in the Investigation OF some abstruse PROPOSE
lion of law. 1t was often my good fortune to
investigate and discuss with him abstract
questions of law, and it frequently happened
that DAYS afterwards being at my office or
meeting me at his, he would speak of his pur-
suit ofthe cues len we h ID had GnderconsiderA-
lion. and tell me of the new light shed upon
il bv the examination of other authorities
and the conclusions be b ID reached. His
clear analy teal mind applied to the ISOLATION
of controverted legal problems could at all
times be depended upon to work out correct
results. and his opinions when deliberated
formed we're accepted With great confidence
bv the profession At the trial table he met
his adversary boldly and fairly, whether
upon the field of law or fact, never taking or
seeking 10 take any unfair advantage. He
was, my friends, unquestionably great law
er aad impartial posterity will not fail to
write his name high upon the scroll of hon
ored names that have illustrated by Their
learning and adorned by their virtues the
Bench and Bar of Southern Maryland.
But it was in the private walks of life thai
the character of our departed friend shon'
forth in all its richness and beauty. He was
in manner as simple as a child, in feeling as
tender and delicate as any woman. Like al
men of genuine worth and true merit he hat
the most humble appreciation ofhimself and
was in his manners most unpretending anC
.-.,.;o,s He was tn the last degree nm,