Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-04
Instica OF onr daY consists in the de-

i Justice OF our day consists IN the 10
cisions OF motions aud the administra-
| ton of the business Of the court, oppor-
tunities for the discussion OF doctrines
as such cannot probably be availed oil by
him rs frequently az might be imagined.
The struggle with what an English
Judge called "that gigantic monster
'Arrear, always obstructing justice and
tearing out the bowels OF unhappy plain
tiffs and defendants by accumulated ex-
pense and long solicitude, was CALAMITY
waged by Chief-Justice Waite, and while
the number OF cases upon the docket
has OF late years assumed such proper
tions as to inevitably delay sultors anu
imperatively require relief, the court
under his leadership has never fallen be-
hind in the disposition OF many nun
dreds ut term-all. in short, that the
most watchful assiduity and unwearled
industry could accomplish.
But the world hardly appreciates as 1t
ought the value of the toll OF dry fou-
tine, though quick to blame any failure
from the lack OF it.
Doubtless the opinions in the elevator
and railroad-regulation cases may be pro-
perly referred to as illustrations OF the
simple aud direct manner in which the
Chief Justice treated great questions.
The STYLE carries conviction OF the can
dor and sincerity Of the writer. 1t Is "a
If he were not merely arguing IN sup
port OF, but giving testimony to the ac-
curacyof his conclusions. "SignVcaGat
cniBt non prudsHtiam s0ittD', seq, qnod
marine rem confincbdf, fdem. "
He presided with dignity, but at tho
same time, with winning courtesy. and
though he pushed the business in hand
with rspidity, he did this with grace
that eluaed all offence. And. if in the
course of argument counsel was betrayed
into error to which his attention was
called, this was done as in an effort to
assist in correction and never as II TO
expose or 80 as to wound.
10 all his conduct, think the Ian
guage of Dir. Webster in the instance OF
Judge Story is Justly applicable, that he
kept the picture Of "the Judge, the
nudge. the useful and distinguished
Judge" constantly before his eyes, and
devoted all bis efforts to resemble it. He
necessarily succeeded, for he was rs much
entitled as Lord Denman to boldly lay
claim" TO the merit OF "the determine
ton to do what is right whenever that
can be discovered"
1t was the recognition Of this which
made him seem superior to anything he
said. II was the recognition OF this
which, as we'll as his kindly disposition
and genial temperament, so endeared
him, as we may well believe, to his asso-
ciates.
It is the recognition Of this which ex-
plans the sorrow so genuine and 50 uni
verssl, which his unexpected death has
occasoned.
For character tells, and a man con
quers through it, whether he stands
or walks, or sits, or whatever thing be
does" He died in harness. Not rs the
great commander upon the field of bat
tie. " his ears deaf to the sounds of life
vet feebiy catching the roll OF the drum
that announced his victory; his eyes
dimmed with the mists of death yet fixed
upon the marshal s baton purchased
with his blood ; but IN possession OF
that peace ne had 80 well earned, that
pence above all earthly dignities-"a
still and quiet conscience he passed
TO his reward in The midst Of those labors
in the jspensation of justice to sixty
millions of freemon, in the exposition OF
their laws and in the protection OF their
institutions, which represent the highest
forces Of mankind.
We all are, indeed, shadows, for thus
we come and SO depart, but lives like this
teach us We need not pursue shadows,
for by the faithful and complete per
Torrance of exalted duty our lamentcd
chief has plucke1 from the eternal 81
lence something that shall last although
his lips are dumb.
"Only sweet aud yirtuous soul,
Like seasoned timber, never gives;
AMI though TIE whole world turn 70 coal,
Then chiefly liTeAn