The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-06
MEMORIAL SPEECHES.
WORDS WHICH DO HONOR TO THE DEAD
AND REFLECT CREDEIT TO THE
LIVING.

AND REFLECT cREDEIT TO THE
LIVING.
Tribute to the Memory of l.. Ward
law Smith.
Al meeting Of the Abbeville Bar, held OF
the lst June, for the purpose OF pay
ing suitable tribute to the memory o
the late l.. Wardlaw Smith, w. A. Lee wa
called to the Chair, and Thos 2. Cothran re
quested to act as Secretary.
On motion OF J. G. Klugh, a committee q
three. with the Chairman OF the meeting ~
Chairman OF the Committee, was appointed
sentcd to the Court at its ensuing Term. The
following gentlemen composed the Commit
tee: w. A. Lee. J. c. Klugh and s. c. Cason
In pursuance Of the action Of the meeting
were presented. at the close of the first days
session of the Court w. A. Lee said:
May IL Please Your Honor:
It has been made my duty, MS the oldest
member OF the Abbevile Bar, and ms the
Chairman Of recent meeting. to present tC
the Court the following resolutions express
ing the deep sense of the loss which this Bal
has sustained In the death OF Le,pis Wdrdht'.
Smith, one Of the youngest. the brightest, and
best beloved OF Its members.
And before reading the resolutions. would
beg leave to add my own personal tribute tc
the worth of the deceased; tribute from the
Oldest 10 Inc youngest OIL llS InenlOeTsy lIOui
one who witnessed with delight the develop.
ment OF his growing powers, and the opening
Of q career which promised brilliant future
but which alas has been brought to an un-
timely close.
his life here on the 22nd April last, In the 2Sth
year of his age. His early educatton was re-
ceived in the schools OF his native town, ex
struction of Rev. o. 7. Porcher at Wellington,
and Mr.. w. G. Benet, at Cokesbury. Thence
he went TO the Univerclty OF the South at Sc
vance, where he completed his collegiate
law in the office Of the Hon. Armistead Burt
anil forming partnership with Mr.. Benet
under the firm name OF Benet q smith en-
tered upon a successful practice. Seeking q
seemed about to realize his brightest hopes
when his health failed him, and he sadly re-
turned to spend his last moments In the
home Of his birth. and among the friends Of
his youth.
Nature seemed to have endowed our young
friend with all OF the qualifications which en-
sure success in life. He brought to his chosen
profession, u clear, active and vigorous mind
disciplined by study, and sustained by habits
of close and continuous thought. His love Of
labor early led him to mastery OF Its prln.
ciples, whilst generous ambition to excel In.
duced him to take part In all 'ts exciting con.
maturity of thought, whilst q winning de-
pertinent, and devotion to the Interests o.
his clients won for him the full measure OIL
success. His bright and cheerful temper, his
frank anfi cordial manner, made him hosts
of friends everywhere, and gave him strong
hold on the popular heart I know OF no
young man In my recollection, whose bril-
liant future seemed better assured in the pop
called forth more general expressions OF sor.
row and regret from every section OF our
county.
RESOLUTIONS.
Herewith submit the resolutions prepared
IN benalf Of the Committee by my young
friend. Mr.. klugh:
On the night Of Sunday, April %, 1888, at 1:
o'clock. LEWIS WARDLAw SMITH. passed
from death and entered the Court of the
Judge Most High. For six years member ol
the Bar Of the State Of South Carolina In in.
mate association with us In the practice oi
the law in this his native town Of Abbeyille
he. By his blameless life, his high and chival
rous bearing. and his conspicuous deyotIon to
the profession, established for himself an ex'
allied place in our esteem, and we, his asso-
ciates OF the Abbevlle Bar, desire to place on
record tribute to his memory. Be 1t there
fore,
Resolved, That in the death of Lewis Ward
law Smith the State has lost q patriotic and
devoted citizen, the Bar a.. efficient, able and
upright lawyer, and society and honored and
useful member.
Resolved, That we lament his death as per
Sonal loss to US, of q true and valued friend
and We will hold in sacred remembrance
his name as an example of industry and
to the LAWYERS case, and OF integrity. high
worth and true manliness In all the walks o
life. He was ever polite and courteous to all
gentle In manner, kindly in thought, sincere
In speech and conduct, In rare degree the
embodiment or the qualities which make uI
natures ideal creation-an honest man.
Resotucd, That these resolutions be present
ed at the ensuing Term of the Circuit Court
for A hbayllle Comfy with a motion of His
Honor, the Presiding Judge, to order the
same to be entered upon the minutes OF the
Court.
Resolved further, That an engrossed crop o.
those resolutions signed by the Chairman ant
Secretary Of the Bar meeting be sent to the
mother Of the deceased, and that a copy
thereof be also furnished 10 the Abbevillt
newspapers for publication.
Remarks of >. c. Cason, ESQ.
May 1t please your Honor: arise to secont
the resolutions and desire to offer few re
marks upon them.
How often are we called upon to pay o las
tribute 10 one OF our small number? W.
look for the departure OF the old OF our mum
ber, and feel that they must go,-but we art
hardly prepared to think this when one o
our young brethren Is called 10 pass the darE
waters,-und we are made sad. So, to-day
and ever since his, to us, "uptlmely taking
off," we bow our heads with sincere sorrow
when we con tenn plate this saddest OF all ou
losses, Inc ucutQ Ol our ITlcnQ anu OTOCNeT, II
Wardlaw Smith. / hardly think any profes
sion or avocation furnishes SO fine an oppor
tuuIty for the cultivation of that rare virtue
true friendship, as does our profession OF tht
law. There Is something in the human con
stitutiop. which, having withstood opposi
tion, becomes stronger and stronger. SO WI
contest with each other only to be drawn tn,
closer; we fight, yet admire; we contest TIT
field Tor victory, but having failed TO achieve
1t the good lawyer Is made the more liberia
and telerant-two essential qualities in tn,
friendship of individuals.
Who OF us does not know the generosity Q
our young friend and brother, whose deati
we mourn over, second only tn personal be
reavement? He possessed this great charac
teristic In its highest sense, he had generou
nature. 1t can scarcely he defined better thar
TO say, 1t "rejoices with them that do rejoice
and weeps with them that weep" How ex
alted does IL make human nature when on,
can say to another, ~ do not envy you, you
success is my success. in that 1t gives nj,
my failure, because it brings me prlef ant
weeping" The sting of jealousy finds ant
can find no home In heart like this. Ate
all q good heart is the best possession one cal
ing contained in that wise saying, keep th'
heart with all diligence, for out of 1t are tn
issues of life" Our friend possessed this ant
possessing 1t, he had Leading characteristic
color to high toned social life which thougt
simple. had The charm Of strength stamped
upon it.
Though young, lie had shown that he pos
sessed the qualities which are requisite To-
success at the bar-namely, good sense, higl
character and courageous nature. Grea
and conspicuous ability is not so much need
ed in the lawyer, as u certain strength o
mind and character, in which they who seel
counsel can rest with quiet rePose and I
feeling OF security. Our friend had these ant
was fully capacitated to fill the high and hon
orable place Of good lawyer.
With these traits marking him so distinc
ly, who could not like. yea love, our dear, de
| toI fria r,ll Va r,lo