The Forrest City times., 1895-11-22

1Se L0te HotceH EdmHHdS Jackson.
ciate Justice Howell Edmunds Jack.
son, of Tennessee, reported long pre-
amble, in which Mr.. Jackson's career
Is set out in detail also the following
resolutions:
Resotred That the members of the bar OF the
supreme court OF the United States pro-
loundly impressed with the great loss sus-
tanned by the profession and the nation in the
untimely death OF Mr.. Justice Jackson, desire
10 record their esteem for the qualities
which distinguished his short career on
the supreme bench, and which gave such
perfect assurance that he was worthy sue
cessor OF those distinguished judges who have
administered with such fidelity and ability
the greatest trust ever confided by nation.
Resotoed, That we deeply sympathze with
the bereaved family OF Mr.. Justice Jackson,
and that copy of these resolutions be pre-
scented to them by the secretary of this meet
ing
ResofUed, That the Encouragement be re-
quested to present these resolutions to the SUI
preme court in session, and request that they
be recorded.
In supporting the resolutions, Secre-
tary Olney, after explaining his lack
OF familiar acquaintance with Judge
Jackson, said:
Though my view OF Judge Jackson and his
career is almost that of a stranger contem-
plating them from a somewhat remote stand
point, | may nevertheless have reached in
some respects truer estimate of the whole
enect and the whole result than il had walked
py MS side during every stage of his earthly
journey. Judge Jackson, though of Virginia
parentage, and o graduate of the university
OF virginia, was nevertheless a thor
ough TennesSeean There he was born
ana acquired the rudimentS of knowledge;
there he studied law and began its practice
ana became leader of the bar; it was Tennes-
see that sent him to Washington as her sena-
tor: II was as her citizen that he became Judge
OF the circuit court of the United States, and
then rose to the bench OF the supreme court; in
Tennessee he made his home the abode of
wife and children, and the center of his afec-
lions, and 1t was thither he returned to die,
after long and wearisome and pathetic
search for the strength that was
never to be regained. Tennessee
boasts long line of illustrious
puohc men, but can not point to
any one among them that does her greater
honor. II such a life as Jacksons be phenom-
email in its power to fix the public gaze and
fascinate the popular Imagination, that OF
Judge Jackson can not be too much extolled as
potent center of benefcent influence, none
the less valuable, and far reaching in its.effects
because neither glfttering nor noisy.
Judge JackSon's work as public man began
senatorial career impressed his colleagues
that his appointment as United States circuit
judge was due almost as much to their en-
thusiastic Endorsement as to the nomination of
| democratic president. He was the recipient
of a similar compliment when President Har-
rison distinguished the closing days OF his adj
ministratton by nominating him to the bench
OF the supreme court His characteristics
as Judge are so well known.
both to the bar and the people of the
country, through common fame and his reports
OF his judicial opinions. that only the brlefest
reference to them need now be made 1t will
not be claimed. suppose that Mr. Justice
Jackson was among the most erudite of the
lawyers or judges who have adorned the bench
or the bar in this country.
On the other hand, few lawyers or judges
have ever had trmer grasp OF the essential
principles which underlie the administration OF
justice in English-speaking countries. This is
especially manifest in such of his written opin-
ions as deal with questions of constitutional
law. Indeed his title to recognition as a great
judge might safely rest upon his judicial utter
ances upon that class of questions alone He
never dealt with them except in a manner most
convincing, and satisfied, except as one whose
knowledge OF the principles of our form of gov
eminent is instructive and ingrained and
whose command OF the subject is complete.
Time presses and 1 feel myself to be claim
ing undue share of your attention l must
not omit to observe however, that the judicial
career OF Justice Jackson was in reality Just
beginning, and that considerable as had been
the actual performance, it was small in COM
parison with what still rested solely In prom
Use. i have referred to his life as barren of
stirring or sensational features Yet there
was at least one notable exception, and who
ever witnessed Judge Jackson's last
judicial effort In this courtroom
participated in an event not mere
ly having great national significance
but in its display Of human faculties and
human emotions in state of extraordinary
excitement, possessing dramatic elements
rarely exhibited either within or without the
halls OF justice. 1t was much to take part in
the memorable scene then enacted, whether as
Judge, as counsel, as party, or even specta-
tor But it was reserved for Judge Jackson to
identify IL with the elimination of his honora-
BILE career, and to give to his dissent something
OF the solemnity of me sage from beyond the
tomb. Fortunate in his life he was; even
more fortunate than in his manneraof leav-
ing it.
MAN fear death" says Lord Bacon, las
children fear to go into the dark" But the
terrors OF the mortal passage" weaken under
the spur of lofty purpose and to him who
like Judge jackson, unfalteringly confronts
his fate at the call OF duty to be discharged,
Heaven sends exaltation of spirit which
casteth out fear and death is swallowed up in
victory.