Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-04-26
A Testimonial.

The following remarks were made
by Judge J. w. Scales of this city,
in presenting the resolutions of the
GAINESVILLE Bar concerning the late
Judge Rice, to the Chancery court {:
I am not vain enough to hope to
add anything on the life and char
acter of Judge Rice to the resOlu-
lions of the Bar meeting, which in
obedience to the request of that
meeting, I now present, and ask
that they be spread upon the min
utes of this court.
Perhaps the best that could be
now said of him, is, that the resOlu-
tons are simply true. But L am
unwilling to let the occasion pass
without bearing my testimony to
the sterling worth, the simple cam
dor, the modest demeanOr, the true
gentlemanly instinct, and the self
abnegation, which as truly demo-
ted our friend Judge Rice, as the
good humored railery. and spark
ling pleasantly for which he was 80
famous.
1t has been well SAID, that "as
little things make up the sum of
life, so they reveal the inward ma
ture of men, and furnish the "keys
to history" That, sit is in the
Office, the street, the field, the work
shop, and by the fireside, that men
show what stuff they are made of,
not less than in those eventfuI &C
tions that write themselves in light
nings across the sky, and mark the
rise and fall of nations"
So these resolutions bear amplest
testimony to the quiet and UMPIRE.
tending walk and conversation Of
our friend among us, as a citizen,
lawyer and Judge. AS a man, i'ate-
ger Uitde SceieriSQlte 21l7'iS as citi-
zen, unostentatiously striving for
the common good; as soldier,
"leaving in battle no blot on his
name"; lawyer of conscious rec
titude of purpose, and as Judge en-
forcing law, but with justice ever
tempered with mercy. If it be
true, as has been said, that sat the
bottom of all true herOism, unself-
ishness," then our friend was not
| far from the standard of true hero
| ism. For it is rare in these days to
meet with one who had less of self
seeking and self-asSertiOn in his ma
ture. The upright Judge, the con-
scientiOus lawyer, the fond father,
the affectionate husband, the kind
ne:ghbor and the true friend, were
beautifully blended in his character.
An almost womanly gentleness was
there united with an almost Spar
| tan firmness, and he was ever ITO
! true occasion true"
The wonderful powers of mimicry
and impersOnatiOn and the spark
| ling humOr that so enliVened festal
scenes, were tempered in him by
the tenderest consideration for the
sensibilities of each and every one
of his hearers. Chiefest, however,
among the graces that adorned his
character, was his simple ohild-like
faith and loving trust In the truths
of the Christian religion. Though
not numbered among the rich and
great of this world, he had ample
Treasures laid up" beyond the
reach of moth and rust. This con-
fident trust strengthened as his in
firmities increased, and grew brigh-
ter as he neared the sunset of life.
And here we may well leave him
in the cOnfidepce Of certain faith,
i'm the comfort of q reasonable Felig-
ious and holy hope in favor with
God and perfect charity withsall
men, in the fullest assurance
"That he wears a truer crown
Than any wreath that man can weave him.