Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-09-25

row for expression, have kept steadily
abreast OF the progress of mankind. No
problem in any branch of the law but
has received adequate treatment and ac-
curate solution at their hands, while as
| of yore the spirit of fraternity
infused through every member OF
the mass, has pervaded, sustained and
actuated the whole. And it has come to
pass that as the star of empire, moving
westward, hangs fixed resplendent above
the glorious valley of the Mississippi,
member of that bar, a citizen of Chicago,
has been designated to the judgeship of
the mightiest tribunal upon earth. OF
that tribunal, or the grave and weighty
responsibility of that office, it does not
become me now to speak, nor could |,
were it otherwise appropriate; for l am
oppressed with the sadness inevitable to
one who, after long years OF battle, puts
his armor off and retires from the ranks
of his comrades.
Whatever the vicissitudes of these
tbirty-two years, they have never been
marred by personal estrangement from
my brethren and they have been happy
years. Personally unambitious [ have
not thought myself selfish in induleing
my preference for the sweet habits OF
life, rather than the struggle involved in
a prominent position. l have always
been deeply impressed with the truth of
the words OF one of the wisest of man
kind, that "Men in great places are
thrice servants: servants OF the Sover-
| eign of State; servants of fame and
servants of business; so they have
no freedom, neither in their
persons nor in their actions nor in their
time" But also know of course, that
the performance of duty is the true end
of life, and l find consolation in the
thought that though in the effort to prove
worthy of the confidence of great and
common country, l must tread the wine
press alone, l shall be sustained by the
sympathy, the friendship and the good
will of those with whom l have dwelt so
long, and my affection for whom no Of
fee, however exalted, no eminence, how
ever great, can impede or diminish. And
now, gentlemen, wishing you, and in
voking for myself, that blessing without
which nothing can prosper, l trust as
you accompany me to the ship we need
not sorrow as those who shall see each
others faces no more, but that we part
in reasonable expectation that there will
be many returns tothe home port, from
the haven for which the bidding of pub
lie duty compels me to embark.
SPEECH BY JUDGE GRESHAM.
Judge Walter @. Gresham was greeted
with rousing cheers when he arose to
make his address. The display war one
OF unusual enthusiasm. Judge Gresham
said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN-Soci-
Of ho ,,.k~
bunal authorized to hear and determine
the controversies arising between indi-
viduals in their manifold and complex
relations; the importance, therefore, of a
capable and upright judiciary cannot be
overstated. That judicial tribunals are
deemed indispensable for the safety and
well-being of the people is attested by
the extensive powers which are entrusted
to them, and 80 long as judges are capa-
BILE, conscientious and infexibly inde-
pendent, they will command respect and
their decisions will be obeyed. Judges
take a solemn obligation to administer
equal and exact justice alike to the
rich and to the poor, and however
able and rich in learning they may be-
they fail in the discharge of this high
duty, if not endowed with courage and a
robust sense of right. 1t avails nothing
if they are calm, patient, courteous,
laborious and able to see the right, if they
are moved by popular clamor or preju-
dice, or the frown of power. They may
be censured and abused for the honest
discharge of their duties, but if they de-
serve it they will have the confidence
and support of the public. including the
bar, upon which their influence and USE
fulness is largely dependent. 1t has
been said, owing to the infexibility of
the law. that courts are sometimes
prevented from administering Justice
between litigants. Rarely, very rarely,
is this the case. II capable counsel to
aid the court in justice, triumphs over
right, the judge and not the law should
bear the reproach. While the binding
force of the rules of law which have stood
the test of reason and experience, is still
recognized both in this and other coun-
tries, growing disposition is manifested
on the part Of the courts against sacrifc-
ing justice to technicality, and it is not to |
be expected that with average intelli- |
gence and civilization they will be less
inclined to see substantial justice ad-
ministered in the trial of causes.
In ability, learning and dignity the Su-
preme Court of the United States, our
highest judicial tribunal, is inferior to |
none in the world. To say nothing of |
it's labors in the exercise of it's ordinary |
common law, equity and admiralty juris |
diction, it deals with and settles grave |
questions of constitutional and interna-
tional law. as we'll as controversies aris-
ing between the States and the United |
States. 1t determines for itself the extent
Of its own powers and jurisdiction
and has conclusively defined the limits
within which the other departments
Of the Government may lawfully act.
Power and responsibilities SO great should
be entrusted only to men of commanding
ability, great learning and worth. From
The organization of that court to the
present time it has merited and enjoyed
The confidence, respect and veneration
Of the American people. Our fellow
townsman and honored guest tonight
was recently exalted to the position of |
Chief Justice of the august tribunal.
Knowing him as we do, we have no mis-
yivings as to his ability to vindicate the
wisdom OF his appointment.
His speech was very warmly received.
Young neecher's Legacy Attached.
New York, September 24.-Part of the
egacy left by the late Henry Ward
Beecher to his son Herbert F. Beecher,
If Port Townsend, Washington Territory,
to 81, ,286 92, was deposited in
he Mechanics Bank payment of which |