The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-24
DEATHS CALL.


one OF the best men / ever knew-a most
excellent lawyer and very just man. lie
possessed an eminently judicial mind ana
was peculiarly fitted for the position.
knew him well, and deeply deplore his
death"
Senator Evarts said 81 was greatly sur
prised, as well as grieved, this morning, to
learn Of the fatal result OF an illness which
all OF his friends believed would not prove
serious. There Is universal agreement in
personal affection for the chief justice and
grief at his loss. His death will be re-
garded by the judiciary and the profession
Of the country as great calamity"
Senator Hawley said: "Fully sharing
in the general sorrow, the people OF Con-
necticut have their own reasons for an
added grief. The families OF the late chief
justice and his wife are among the oldest
IN our State He was born and educated
there. His father was twenty-five years
our chief Justice, and both father and son
were jurists OF sound learning and spotless
character and had strength and SYM
metry and balance Of intellectual and
moral qualities which gave them a success
that so-called genius often fails 10 reach.
The chief justice usually spent his summer
vacations in the old town OF Lyme. He
always manifested the friendly feeling Of
| kinship for the men and affairs OF the
State. His acquaintance with our citizens
was remarkably extensive. Our high re-
spect for his ability and eminence was
supplemented by warm affection based
upon his attractive and social personal
character"
Senator George said: 81 think il is a
very great loss to the country. regarded
him ms very able judge, holding the
scales Of justice very equally, not only be-
tween suitors before his court, but be-
tween sections OF the Union. His place
will be difficult TO supply"
Senator Blackburn said ~ entertained
for him the kindliest personal sentiments.
met him going mp the steps Of Senator
Hcarst's dwelling last Saturday night as
was coming down, and was very sincere
in telling him how glad was to note that
he was looking better than for long
while. He told me he was better.
should very much regret 10 think any man
in the country could give utterance TO any
other feelings or sentiments than those OF
profound regret and sorrow at his death,
for think every man liked him just in
proportion TO the intimacy OF his ac-
quaintance with him."
Senator Edmunds, chairman OF the ju.
dietary committee, and a warm personal
friend OF the late chief justice, said: "My
tirst acquaintance with Mr.. Waite was
when he was named as one OF the Geneva
arbitrator, about the year 1871 or 1872.
He came on 10 Washington practic ng
lawyer Of no national reputation, but OF a
fair State reputation MS a man OF solid
strength-solid, though not ornamental,
law learning and Of the highest personal
honor and rectitude OF character that every
body acknowledged. In the course OF the
proceedings in the Geneva tribunal he had
his first opportunity TO show his great ca.
pacity for ailsirs and his understanding Of
the principles OF international questions.
From President Grants acquaintance with
him on that occasion he came TO have for
him the highest respect and regard, and SO
II was natural, otter his unfortunate efforts
to find a suitable chief justice, for the Presi-
dent 10 think Of Mr.. Waite. The President
sug, csted his name TO several senators and
all, 80 far as | know, OF whom inquiry
was made, Immediately and gladly fell in
with the suggestion, though II might have
seemed TO many OF the lawyers and public
men OF the United States n somewhat
hazardous experiment 20 select man fol
that great Office who had been 30 little &c
quaintcd with public affairs and who wa
80 little known 10 the bar OF tho country
lie was nominated and confirmed by the
Senate. What took place in respect 10 his
confirmation by the Senate, / have ne
right 20 say. soon after his appointment
he took his seat M chief justice Of IN,
supreme court. / have practiccd In thai
court from year 10 year ever since and II
/ I.ts lao l.UN II ha
almost every day been In the court, ever
when not called there professionally, ant
10 have had perhaps as good an opportu
nifty NJ any lawyer or senator could hay,
20 seo his public bearing and conduct an,
20 know a good deal Of his relations will
his associates M well rs with the bar. III
represented the public decorum that shout,
exist In such tribunals and NJ the sam,
time exercised every kindly courtesy an,
every generous discretion that could h
exercised toward the bar and his associates
10 FAR m his sense OF justice would permi
him 10 go. Ills opinions, ! think, OF
broad questions Of fundamental law and o
the application Of principles TO the affair
Of men, will stand well with those Of tn
most eminent Of judges. lie looked nj tn
snbstance Of things and ha'
very little taste for technical con
alterations that did not alice
the ultimate merit OF cause. | think hi
oandor was extraordinary. Whateye
M st be his previous impression, he di'
not allow combltiveness Of intellect 3
lead him 10 maintain the opposition
against sufficient reasons Ia the opposit
Injection. In his personal and private III
be was one OF the most gentle, cordia
| and appfoachablc men ! ever met, and hi
Kindness of heart Vas - great that, In III
midst Of affairs and society here, whcr
J he must have known ~ many instances q
evil and improperly, l do not rcmembc
ever 10 have heard him make ccnsoriou
J or nnkind remark 10 any person In III
world or 10 mention n circumstance O
employ a witiicsm against or nj the ca
pensc Of another. l feel the more read
10 say this 10 broadly, for my personal an
private intercourse with him has been II
| the whole period Of his life here OF th
J most intimate, friendly and confdcnti'
character. There "a no word OF criticism
that can be said against him, and there
everything 10 say Tor him In all the .,
spccis that make up the just and uprigl
Judge, tho honorable. kindly and Chri'
tinn citizen"
Secretary Bayard said II had the higl
ost respect and warm personal regard T.
the late chief Justice. who filed his grea
; Office with honor 10 himself aud great IN,
fulncss 10 the country. Tie had the wis
instincts OF pure heart.
Secretary fairchlld said; II was yer