Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-25
FULLER BANQUETTED.
Judge Gresham Delivers an Address.

CHICAGO, Sept. PA banquet was held
at the Palmer House in honor of Melville
W. Fuller, wbc will soon depart for Wash
iugton to assume the duties as chief justice
of the United States Supreme court. Judge
Gresham delivered the following address,
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen:-Society
cannot be maintained without tribunals
to hear and determine controversies in the
relation between individuals In their man.
fold and complicated relations. The i'm
portance, therefore, of a capable and up
right judiciary cannot be oyerestimated.
That judicial tribunals are deemed iadis-
pensible to the safety and well being Of the
people is attested by the extensive pow
ers which are trusted to them, and SO long
as judges are capable, Conscientious and
infleXibly independent they will COM
mand respect and their decisions will be
obeyed. Judges take a solemn oath to
administer equal and exact justice alike to
the rich and The poor, and however able
and rich in learning they may be they will
fail in the discharge of their high duty if
not endowed with courage and 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 preludlces or the frown
abused for the honest discharge OF their
duties, but if they deserve they will have
the confidence and support of the public,
including the bar upon which their in
fuence aud usefulness SO largely depends
1t has been said that owing to the inlex-
ibaity of the law courts they are some
times prevented from administering jus.
tice between litigants. Rarely, very rarely
is this the case. If with capable counsel to
aid the court injustice 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 countries a growing
disposition is manifested on the part of
courts against sacrificing justice 70 techni-
icalty, and it is not to be expected that with
advancing intelligence aud civilization
they VIII be less inclined TO see substan-
tial Justice administered in the great
OF causes. In ability 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 its
labors in the exercise of its ordinary COM
mon law, equity and admiralty jurisdic-
ton. il deals with aDei settles grave Ques-
ticnS of constitutional and international
law, as well as controversies arising be
tween states and the U:ly.ed States. 1t
determines for itself the extent Of its own
powers and jurisdiction and has con-
clusively defined the limits with
in which the other departments
of the government may lawfully act
Powers and respOnsi bilities 80 great
should only be entrusted 10 men of com
manding ability, great learning and
worth From the organization OF that
court TO the present time il has merited
and enjoyed the confidence. resDect and
veueration Of the American people Our
fellow townsnsn and honored guest to
night was recently appointed TO the exalt-
ell position of chief justice OF this august
tribunal Knowing him as we do, we en-
terrain 10 misgivings as 10 his ability 20
vindicate the wisdom of his appointment.
lApplausel.