The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-10-15
IN HONOR OF JUDGE BRYAN
Preamble and Resolutions Adopted
by the Greenville Bar, October 9TH,
1905.


Preamble and Resolutions Adoptet
by the Greenyille Bar, October 7th
1906.
In looking back upon the history O
our State the most casual reader mus
recognize that to the members of tn,
legal profession belongs the credit @
some of our greatest and best reforms
and that to them we owe debt o
gratitude for the extricatiou OF the col
ony as well as the State from some o
her greatest perils. In the carly his
tory of the colony, 'or instance, at 6
period when it seemed that the little
community, surrounded bys avages an6
remote from the mother country, was
about to be corrupted and lost under
was Chief Justice Trott who by his
course upon the bench aroused public
sentiment and finally succeeded with
the aid of the bar, in bringing the
leaders to Justice. Again, at the close
of the war for independence, when Che
victorious party was bent upon re-
veDge, and the State fast drifting to
civil war, it was the voice of Judge
Burke, from the Circuit Bench, that
called halt, and by the fearlessness
of his conduct and impartiality of his
rulings, brought all right thinking
men to a realization of the danger and
restored peace and prosperity to the
country. These are but two instances
OF the influence of the bench. Many
| more might be cited, but none more
striking than the judicial career of the
kind, good man in honor of whom we
are assembled here to day. We say
his judicial career, for while other
| judges in this State have been called
| upon TO meet particular emergencies,
Judge Bryan for fourteen horrible
years stood the principal, and at times
| the only barrier between us and the
encroachments of power. Having been
consistent opponent OF secession, he
could with truth take theath that he
felt no sympathy with a war for seces-
sion, but his hear was ever ard at all
times in deepest sympathy with the
sutferings of his people, and absolutely
loyal to the cause of constitutional lib
erty and the rights of the citizens.
When he took his seat upon the bench
there sat at his side a circuit Judge in
full sympathy with the dominant par
ty. AT the door, we might say, we're
the bayonets of the United States
army. Near by was IL military tribu-
nal claiming jurisdiction in all crimi-
nal matters. In Washington con-
gress determined to revolutioniZe the
State government. The question was
Immediately presented whether the
civil power had priority over the mill.
tary, and Judge Bryan met it in man
ner worthy of all praise. Although
prevented by brute force from enforce
ing the process of the court. yet his
course was such as to arrest the atten-
tiOn of the North and to set in motion
inf t.,b tab E,,,,l 4
us relic. In opposing the efforts made
to drive the bar out OF the courts, the
infamous enforcement act, the attempts
to deprive the citizens Of the State of
the right of trial by jury of the vicin-
age-in all these struggles leach of
them OF vita Importance to the coun-
try) Judge Bryan was tower Of
strength in behalf of the right. Not
until the election OF a Democrat to the
office of president of the United States
did these prosecutions come TO an end i,
and only then did Judge Bryan think
of retiring. This he determined upon
in 1886. He had reached the age when
| repOse is the ruling desire of man.
Though his mind was still sound. his
snowy locks and slightly bent figure
attested that he bore upon him the
weight of years. He enjoyed the love
friends. He had. the right by law to
retire upon full pay, and amid the
plaudits OF the entire State he stepped
down from the seat he had so long
adorned After his retirement he re-
turned once more to the quiet, modest
! life OF which he was always fond. Sur
rounded by devoted family the down
| ward path of life, though accompanied
| by physical labor and pain" the com
| mon inheritance of all mankind VINO
/ attain to four score years, was strewn
with many flowers. On the 18th OF
, September, at his summer home, he
| passed away in the midst of those he
loved. 1t is this event that we have
! met to commemorate. In doing 30 we
do honor not only to him but to our
selves, our profession and our State
of which he was q distinguished ma
tive, and worthy example to all men
Therefore be it resolved by the bar
of Greenville County:
lst. That in the death OF the Honor
able George S. Bryan, late United
States District Judge for the District
of South Carolina, the State has lost
one OF her most distinguished citizens
the value OF whose service to the coun
try can not be over estimated.
I'd. That we consider it due to hin
and to ourselves that we put upon re
cord our admiration of his virtues ant
talents, our pride in him as fellow
CarO'inian whose name must pass int
history as one of the greatest men o
our State and our sorrow at parting
forever with one whose presence amont
us was always q pleasure.
Sd. That we offer to his widow ant
children our sincere sympathy in thi
their bereavement.
4th. That the Greenville newspapers
The Charleston News and Courier an
the Columbia State be requested t.
publish this preamble and resolution
and that the Secretary of this meetn,
, be instructed to send q copy of the sam
, to the family of the deceased.
, 9th. That the chairman of this meet
, ing present these resolutions in ope
court at next term of the United State
District Court in Greenyille and re
quest that they be spread upon tn
, minutes Of the court
j. S, .COTHRAN,
, Chm of Committee.
, M. b. ANSEL,
| THOMPSON III. COOKE,
: A. BLYTHE,
[ JULIUS III. HEYwARD.
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