National Republican., 1888-04-07
THE LATE CHEF JUSTICE.
Handsome Tribute to His Memory by
Judge Parker, of Arkansas.

At meeting of the members Of the bar of
Fort smith, Ark, called on the I'd instant to
consider resolutions of respect to the late
chief Justice waite, Judge Parker spoke as
follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE BAR In receiving the
memorial and resolutions adopted by you NJ
your bar meeting. and before ordering them
spread upon a memorial page of the records
of this court, deem II but proper that
should offer word of Endorsement of the
noble and high sentiments contained In your
memorial and resolutions.
In doing honor to the memory of one dead,
who in life filed Il position of trust and re-
SpOnsbility we offer our tribute Oi appreCin.
tiun and respect because Of the man and his
acts; the way he has performed the duties of
his station, and In this instance because of the
great importance to the people VI the position
hlled by him In doing honor TO the memory
of Chief Justice Waite we not only render u
deserved personal tribute, hut we show to the
world how we regard the great station filled
by him. From personal acquaintance with
and knowledge Of the man, I can tcstify that
no one, in any position ever filled under our
government, for duty faithfully performed,
was ever more deserving the high personal
tribute you have paid him than Chief Justice
Waite His was q character truly American
in every sense of the word. He was houcst.
lie was able. lie was modest. He was pure
in private and public life. lie knew his duties
rs Il private citizen and as II high Official, TO
his God, his country, and his iellow.men. In
whatever station called he made every effort
to perform them faithfully and well; Who
can do morey Is this not the whole duty of
mani What greater success can characterize
the efforts Of any man in this life than for him
TO be able 10 say that he has thus far filled his
mission
The great office filed by Chief Justice
| Waite Is one upon which every good citizen
| of the republic desires TO look with respect
and confidence under all circumstances.
| While he filled II, as well as when filled by his
| illustriOus predecessors, they have so looked
| upon IL.
That office may be regarded under our sys.
| TEN ~ the head Of the national judiciary:
| That national judiciary. the decisions OF
which, as II rule, are in the highest and best
| sense the expressions of the nations second
| sober thought. on that judiciary the CON
servative forces of the government raly-to
| meet and correct passion TO resist hasty and
| unconstitutional legislation and to guard life,
| liberty, and property from wrong and opprcS.
| sion. II Is as n rock of safety the nation :
| hulwark against irreparablc mischief. If the
| time ever does come In this land when the
| liberty of the citizen Is in danger of dcstruc.
tion that liberty will find last refuge in, that
great temple Of Justice where Is found the
ark containing the nations covcnant-our
| magma charta the constitution.
| We do well TO show honor TO the memory OF
| those who have in life ministcrci at lib
ertys altar in this great court Of the nation
because in doing SO are making more Sc
causing to sink deeper into and take n iirmel
| hold ON the hearts of the people that love OF
country and institutions. which is the anchor
of security and safety that holds In It's place
| our great government. Thus we secure fol
the future the rights of man sheltered and pro
tccted under our laws and beneath our insti
| tutiCns.
When we consider that in life. the light o
intelligence, purity of truth, love of right
iirmnesS of integrity, singlcneSs Of purpose
and candOr of judgment made up the higl
beauty of character which belonged to the II
! lustriouS dead, we can see that we but per
form a simple duty when We lay upon hi
grave the henedction well done, good anc
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