Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-04-19
THE MEMORY OF ASSOCIATE JUS
TTCE CAMPBELL.

THE MEMORY OF ASSOCIATE JUS
TICE CAMPBELL.
We recently noticed the death in Balti-
more of ex-Justice j. A. Campbell of the
U. S. Supreme Court. When this supreme
legal tribunal, to which he was appointed
many years before the civil Wal and
which position he resigned to become Assist
ant Secretary of War of the Confederate
States, met in Washington last Friday, At
torney Genera Miller moved toplace upon
it's record the resolutions recently adopted
by the bar of the court at his death. The
resolutions speak of Judge Campbell as a
iurist whose extensive and varied learning
admirably fitted him for the position he
occupied in the supreme court, and attest
the admiration and appreciation OF the
bar for the great career of Judge Campbell
as leading lawyer and judge of the first
rank In seconding the motion OF the At
torney General, George Ticknor Curtis,
of New Y ork, made a most interesting
speech. He is the last survivor OF the
counsel engaged in the celebrated bred
tOCOlG uCC1hCtl Coulp, GNU illttNtS
this fact an Introduction to a vindication
of the judges who had rendered that decis-
ion from being actuated by any other than
the purest motives in the construction OF
the law. He also, though be had been coun-
sci on the side which was decided against
by the court, and though he is Republi-
can in politics, vindicated Justice Camp
bell, both in his opinion on the bench, and
his later withdrawal and casting his for
tunes with the Confederate States, from
any intimation that he was actuated by any
but the highest legal convictions, and deep
est sense of duty to his State. In conclusion
he said:
At the close of the civil war Judge Camp
bell resumed the practice of his profession,
and he has been very conspicuous figure at
this bar for many years. He ranks with the
greatest advocates of our time, not for elo=
quence, not for rilliancy, not for the arts OF
the rhetorician, but for those solid accomplish
mentS, for that lucid and weighty argumenta-
ton, by which a court is instructed and aided
to right conclusion. The day of mere elo-
quence has passed away from the forum
What is effectual here, now, is clearneSS OF
statement, closeneSS and accuracy OF reason
ing, and the power to make learning useful in
the attainment of judicial truth. These &C
complishments were possessed by Judge
Campbellin very common degree. lie has
lived to great age, and in the whole OF his
long life there has never been an act or an ut
terance that is to be regretted.
At the conclusion of the address, Chief
Justice Fuller replied for the bench;
The court recognizes in the decease Of MI,
Justice Campbell the departure of an eminent
citizen who through power of intellect, pro-
coupled with integrity of mind and sincere
love of justice deservedly achieved high repu-
taton as jurist and reelected corresponding
credit upon this bench during the years he
adorned it. 1t is fitting that marks of respect
should be shown to his memory now that in
the fullness of years he has peacefully fallen
asleep. Men must endure their going hence
even as their coming hither. Ripeness is all.
The resolutions were directed to be
spread upon the records Of the court.