The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-03
+. 7. ANDERSON.
7RiBUTE TO HIS MEMORY BY THE
BENCH AND BAR
Meeting in the Room Of the Court of Ap-
peals-EIoquent EuIogies on the Dis
tiDguished Deceased Sketch of His Life.
Resolutions Adopted in Memoriam.

ginia held a meeting in the room of the
Supreme Court of Appeals to pay respect
to the memory of the late Judge Francis
T. Anderson. The meeting was called
to order by Judge Joseph Christian, who
called Judge Lewis 10 the chair After
organization, eloquent speeches highly
eulOgisiic OF the merits and virtues of the
! distinguished deceased were made by
Judge Crump, Mr.. James Lyons, Jr., and
Captain J. II. II Figgalt Of Bolelourt
n committee was appointed consisting
Of Mr. George Christian, Captain Fig
gait, Major John Rely, Attorney Gen
erai Ayers, and Judges Fitzhugh, Crump,
Burks, Staples, and Wexford, TO draft "a
suitable testimonial to the character of
the deceased. After consultation they
presented the following
~ NEMoRfAM.
The Honorable Francis r. Anderson.
late one of the Judges of the Supreme
Court Of Appeals of Virginia died at his
home in Lexington on the Both day OF
November, 1851
The death OF such a citizen, and Of a
lawer who had filled the high position in
the profession, held by Judge Anderson,
renders it meet that we, his brethren of
the Bench and Bar should attest, in this
way, our appreciation OF his worth and
virtues as man and public officer
Judge Anderson was born in BOletOurt
county, Va, was educated at Washington
| College, and came to the BotctOurt Bar
in 1890 From that time till 1854 hc
practiced his profession assiduOusly and
successfully in all The courts, and won
high reputation a. a lawyer lie then
removed 10 Rockbridge county, and re-
tired from the Bar 10 give his whole at
tenlion 10 his private affairs. The people
of ROckbridgc soon showed their appre-
citation of his worth by calling him TO
represent them for several sessions in
the General Assembly Of Virginia, a trust
which he discharged with an eye single
to the interests of his constituents, and
with rare fidelity and ability. He was
also q Whig electOf in the presidential
election Of 1860 Was president of The
electoral college which east the vote OF
Virginia for Bell and Everett, and his
speech Oh that occasion. advocating the
popularity of tine I Mon, as well as those
made by him in that memorable contest,
made an impression which has not yet
faded from the minds OF those who heard
them.
AT the reorganization of the Supreme
Court Of Appeals in 1870 Judge Ander
son was chosen one Of the five Judges Ot
that court. In this high and important
position he put forth every energy Of
bis nature, aud discharged his duties in
such a manner as 10 command the conf
dcncc, respect, and esteem of the Bar
and the whole people of Virginia. Al
though, as we have said Judge Ander-
son had retired from the Bar some years
before he was called TO the Bench OF the
Supreme Court Of Appeals, yet his fine
natural powers, his excellent early train
ing in the principles of the law, his
knowledge Of the political, social, aud DO
nestle relations Of men, united with bis
conscientious and absolute fearlessness
and independence in the discharge of his
duties, rendered him a most valuable
member Of that high court Most of bis
judicial work will be found in his pub.
lished opinions in the reports from 20
Grattan to-1G Virginia inclusive. These
have become a part of the jurisprudence
OF the State, and speak for themselves
If we may venture to speak of them we
would say that they will not be found 10
be marked by special technical learning,
great research from books, or quotations
from the opinions of other judges, nor
by that rhetorical construction and finish
which characterize those Of some OF bis
associates and predecessors. But they
1.
that clear perception of the truth and
very light of the cause. and deter
mination to do justice between the
parties. which will always commend
them TO the members Of profession, the
foundation stones of which are Truth.
right, and justice
Judge Anderson was the highest type
of our profession tie was Christian
iuTst. singularly fair and upright as
man. He had studied The human heart,
and that law whose seat is the bosom of
God, and whose voice is The harmony Of
the world His high character gave
him an instructive sense of right and
Justice, and he thus wrought out from his |
own mind what the law OF any particu- |
lar case ought to be. and then his earnest
desire to do right generally enabled him /
to reach q proper conclusion; and when |
ever ne came 10 conclusion, that be |
believed to be night no precedent, persua- |
sion, or power could swerve him one iOta |
from it. He would checrfully have gone /
to the stake for principle. or before he
would have done aughl that he believed /
TO be wrong.
one of The most striking characteristics !
of Judge Anderson wa his love for his /
native State, Virginia. He loved her
history, traditions, institutions. and |
customs. He was an Old Line Whig |
before the war, and like most of that
political party, was strongly attached 10
the Federal Union, a. il then existed
But when Virginia took her position in
the Southern Confederacy he never hesi-
tated to follow her fortunes, and npeace
as in war, she never had more devoted
or loyal son. He believed the South was
right in the principles for which she con.
tended that they were those on which
this Government was founded by our
fathers, and the only ones on which con-
s,itu,ional liberty can ever safely rest in
this country.
But whilst his devotion to the South was
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