The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-08
JUDGE ADAMS EuLoGIzzD.
Judge MacDonen Pays a Feeling Trib-
ute to the Lead Jurist.

Judge MacDonell Pays Feeling Trib-
ute to the dead Jurist.
The regular session of the city court was
convened yesterday morning. Before the
court proceeded to business Hon. w. G.
Charlton moved that in view Of the death
Of Judge A. Pratt Adams the court, out Of
respect to the memory of tine late distin-
guished member OF the bar, adjourn. So
licitor General Fraser earnestly seconded
the motion, whereupon Judge MacDouell,
in granting the motion. paid the folio wing
feeling and eloquent tribute TO the worth
and memory Of the deceased:
The formal announcement OF the death of
Judge A. Pratt Adams is one which brings to
this court, as it has already done to this bar and
community, feeling of deep regret, of pro
found sorrow and irrepara Die loss.
It seems but yesterday since he was here in
this court room in the active discharge of his du-
ties as advocate and counsel, in the full streng h
Of bis vigorous intellect, glowing with the pleas
ure that snone from the conscious exercise OF
faculties that were at once 80 acute. so compre-
hensive, so sound, so discriminating ana so
highly cultivated.
To-day MS eloquent voice is hushed, his place
is vacant, his cases in their various stages in
complete, and by the decree Of providence,
from which no appeal can be taken, his name
VIII never more appear upon the docket OF this
court
Others with no less talent, ability, and fideli-
ty may take up his unfinished briefs in the
struggle for right, but no one can ever again fill
the same peculiar place in this any other
court which he did in the honorable and digai-
lied administration of Justice The life as well
as the death Of such a man is rare in our annals.
1t is therefore, eminently fit and proper that it
should excite IN re than mere passing com
ment At a suitable time, when we hope to be
present, his brethren OF the bar will put upon
record their full appreciation of his life and
character. We are reminded, however, of the
uncertainty of all things human, and for the
present we heartily concur in the suggestion as
to the propriety of this court taxing action
upon the matter now at the commencement of
this November term,
In a notable address made by Judge Adams
during the present year, 1 remember to have
heard him say that the great lawyer loves the
truth and grasps after 1t with all the powers of
his nature. Who better than he eXemplified the
truth of the saying, with all the powers of his
nature2 How emlnently characteristic of the
man. He was ever willing to spend aud be
spent in this quest In the new field of useful
ness which was just widening before him he
sacrificed himself in the effort to solve a prob
lem where success would have made him bene-
factor to so many Of our people
cannot recall any effort Of his, whether on
the bench or at the bar, or in the political or
social assemblage of his fellow citizens, that
was not supreme effort in the presentation of
the truth OF his subject. in which all OF. the uu-
rivaled gifts and powers OF his nature strongly
concentrated and harmouiZed to make it a per
feet whole, a SURPRISING event memory from
thencetorth in the minds of his hearers. In him
we witnessed the unrelaXing servitude OF great
mental powers to a strong will, the complete
subordinRtlon of great will to q heart domi-
mated by love Of justice, rectitude and truth.
Here was the cause and the effect, the logic Of
his useful and valuable life
1t would be impossible to otherwise account
for the deep seated respect and confidence with
which the people regarded him, the profound
reverence in which he was held BY the bar The
mere possession OF great intellectual abilities
and high official position could not alone ex-
plain 1t. Other men could be like richly en-
dowed and pass away unregretted. Others
could hold like high office and fail to elevate it.
In him, however. great natural abilities, seek
ing after and gathering constant dignity and
strength from the greatness of Justice and
truth, impaired their majesty and vitality to
the judicial office and to It's oracles and inspira-
ton weight, an authority that have impressed
it upon this generation.
In the hearts OF many Judge Adams will long
be recalled as their ideal of the perfect Judge
by none more 80 than the members of the bar
who were familiar with the peculiar require
ments of our own judicial system and who
marked his loyalty TO the spirit as well as the
letter Of the law. The faultless dress the
dignifed reserve, the calm exterior the IN
RULED courtesy, the deep comprehension, the
perfect mental pose, the balanced meditation,
the exact emphasis, the richly ringing voice,
the precise and lucid thought the severely
chaste yet pregnant language, the even
balanced scales Of justice, the elevated stream
of lofty principle, the noble ambition
which could scarcely restrain itself as it grasped
after the truth and right with all the powers of
an ardent nature. these Iineaments in the pict-
ure or our departed friend we would seize and
hold while they are yet so fresh in the recollec-
ton of the community which he loved and
served
How clear they still glow though death has
shut out the original, His work remains to bless
him. His impress for good upon the courts,
the bar, and the people is permanent Long
will his memory be cherished, his influence felt,
his example followed
These remarks of Judge MacDonell were,
on motion of Mr.. J. r. Saussy, inscribed in
the minutes of the court. After continuing
some cases at the request of Mr. B. A. Dem
mark, the court adjourned until to-mor.
row.