The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-10-31
In MEMORIAM.
Resolutions of the Anderson Bar Associa-
,ion on the Death of hon. E. Is. Murray

Resolutions of the Anderson I'ar Associh-
,ion on the Death of hon. E. Is. Murray.
In the Court of Common Ploas last
Saturday some very interesting proceed
ings commemo morative of the late Major y.
B. Murray were held just before the ad-
iournment for dinner. Geo. %. Prince,
Esq, arose, and, addressing the Court,
stated that since the last term OF the Court
this bar had lost one of its most proml-
nent mem bers, Major i. B. Murray,
and that as President of tho Anderson
Association he had appointed a COM
mittce to draft resolutions expressive of
our sense Of the loss we had sustained by
the death of Major Murray, and moved
the Court to then hear and take action on
said resolutions. The following pream-
bic and resolutions were then read ny
Major B. +. Whitner chairman OF the
committee:
Edwards B. Murray Gied on the Ith
day of July last in his forty-first year,
and perhaps no death has ever occurred
in this community that produced so pro-
found an impreSsion-cut off in the very
prime of life, indeed in the threshold OF
his usefulness, his prominence in the
community and in the State, his rare ln-
tellectual gifts, his wonderful activity
and industry, the wide range Of his pro-
fessional and business engagements, to
saw nothing of his domestic ties as the
head Of a young and interesting family
would have made his death one of pecu-
liar sadness under any circumstances; !;
but when coupled with the strange and
mysterious manner of his death, pro-
duced startling effect not only in his
own community but throughout the
borders of the State.
He was, indeed, very remarkable
man. Choosing the law tor his profess
sion and com bining it with journalism,
he commenced his career as editor and
lawyer before he had attained the age Of
his majority. This Of itself was an evil
dence Of that high am bition, strong will
and restless activity which distinguished
him through life. Coming into active
life in the memorable days OF 1876, the
struggle of our native people to regain
control of the State government, offered
to his mbitious hopes and active nature
an inviting field for the display of his
power, of which he did not fail to avail
himself with pen and tongue. AS early
es 1878 he was elected Chairman Of the
County Executive Committee of the
Democratic party, position Of honor
and responsibility, which he continued
to hold until the year 1890.
And during bis incumbency he was
thrice elected member of the popular
branch of the State Legislature and once
to the Senate, and perhaps no member OF
either body did more to establish broad
and widening reputation and to leave his
impress upon the legislation of the coun-
try. Within this time some of its most
important laws were enacted, affecting
the political and industrial interests of
the State, notably the railroad and elec-
ton laws, in all Of which he took lead
ing part. and whether as originator,
promoter or debater, supporter or oppo-
nent Of the different laws proposed or
enacted, he proved himself one Of the
most active, able and untiring members
of the General Assembly.
He was untiring as worker, and Won
derfuIly resourceful as debator. Quick
in perception, clear in representation of
his subject, of great tenacity, insensible
to defeat as long as there was an inch OF
ground to stand upon, he was invaluable
as friend Of any measure he espoused,
and equally to be dreaded as foe of
those he opposed.
During his short but brilliant career he
was so fully occupied with his legisla-
tive, political and editorial duties that he
never did full justice to himself as law
yer. His editorial pen was never idle,
but was as ceaselessly active, and if needs
be, as aggressive in maintaining his
views on all questions Of public interest
as was his tongue upon the hustings or In
legislative halls.
This life of ceaseless activity in other
fields gave him but little time for closer
80 {Ia 1,r xx,1,i nt, hQQr
said, is a jealous mistress, and of truth
Il is. as all of its votaries must learn
sooner or later. Its mass of precederts,
ever increasing, and constituting SO large
q part of our system ofjurisprudence, the
wonderful development OF the material
interests of the country, requiring the
application of principles to new ques-
lions, the mere balancing of the weight
Of authorities sometimes required IN
doubtful questions and that nice dlscrim-
ination so necessary in their just applica-
lion, which can only result from the
closest study and thought, all entail an
amount of work and labor that leaves
little time for anything else to the active
practitioner ambitious of SUCCESS. In
Iced, we may justly apply to the disci-
pies of the profession that maxim, that
the law so often applies in the admins
ration of legal rights and remedies:
s sDiLigcntibus ct non dormientibuS IegeS
It must not be supposed, however, that
because our deceased friend found but
little time from his varied pursuits and
interests to devote to the closest work of
his profession, ho did not achieve dis
,inctiop at the bar, It was not in his ma
lure to be content with mediocrity any
where or in anything; and what be failed
10 gather from the books as special prece-
lents in support of his case he more than
supplied in the quickness Of his appre-
hension Of the points involved and his
readiness in applying general principles
10 the facts, which he grasped and pre-
sented with great lucidity and power.
1t was in this grasp OF his case, his
,horongh mastery Of it in all it's details
md his clear and forceful presentation of
the salient points that he showed to the
greatest advantage. He was always SEN
sible and never commonplace. A friend
Of his, who was no mean Judge, said OF
him, that he had more point to his mind
han any man he ever knew and it was
no overdrawn praise. His readiness, his
fertility of resource, his quiet but un-
shaken confidence in his own powers,
backed by his intellectual grasp, gave
him a strength before a jury that few
squalled and none surpassed.
Within the last few years of his life he
had Withdrawn himself from active po-
itcal life and had given up his editorial
duties to devote himself the more closely
20 the law, and the result was already
apparent in the marked increase Of his
practice. Had he lived and given more
of his time to the more Jealous demands
If his profession, there is no reason why
be should not have achieved the highest
distinction at the bar, both as counsellor
and advocate.
He certainly possessed the elements OF
success in the highest degree, and had he
lived to mature years there is little doubt
be would have reaped it to the fullest
extent
1t is not surprising that the sudden and
untimely death OF so young
and so promising man should have
produced so profound an impression
throughout the whole range Of his ac-
1uaintance. His friends and co-workers
10 almost every relation OF life have ex-
pressed sense of his worth and of their
loss in the strongest and most feeling
terms, and it now becomes US, his survl-
wing associates Of the Anderson Bar, OF
which he was respected momber, to
pay fitting tribute to his memory
BE it therefore resolved:
l. That in the death of Edwards b.
Murray the Anderson Bar has lost one of
its most brilliant members, the State an
eminent son, and this community one of
it's most active and enterprising citizens.
.. That as a mark of respect to his
memory these memorial resolutions be
spread upon the minutes of the Court
and blank page be incribed to his
moS10rV