Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-13


universities spring; and that other say
ing, The sparks OF all the sciences are
10 be found in the ashes OF the law"
For this university. the darling OF his
old age. he desired everything that could
conduce to broad enlightenment. lie would
nave no professor here. as he said, who
was not "of the first order OF science
IN ms line AS such In all branches were
not then obtainabe In our young re-
public, he would bring from oxford the
classical professor. from Cambridge that
or mathematics. and from Edinburgh that
OF anatomy But as to the lawvthe
science that was taking new root and
fresh graft In a new soil, he recon-
mended an American-Francis Walker
Gilmer. OF this State-whom he described
as the best-educated subject we have
raised since the Revolution" This accom-
pl!shed gentleman was the first appointee
as professor Of law In the university,
but, dying before the law-school was
opened. he was succeeded by John Tay-
Toe Lomay, who began his lectures here
In 1875. He resigning in "A few years to
take seat upon the bench. John A. G..
Davis took his place. and in 1910. upon
ms death, Henry 81. George Tucker took
ms, TO be succeeded in turn by John
y. Minor. in 1856. For some years alone.
but since 1850 with able associates and
assistants, he has been here as teacher
OF his profession: and. rising to the fun
height of the Jeffersonian standard he
has proved himself "of the first order
OF science In his line.r Who can measure
the vast influence for good that such
teacher as he has exercised? The charac-
ter and minds OF thousands of students
have felt his moulding and enightening
power; and forth they have gone from his
lecture-room into the striving masses of
humanity in well-drilled annual detach-
monts, as fresh recruits 10 the cause of
justice.
The leayer Of his instruction upon the
most important topics that concern So
clety. from the domestic relations 10 the
greatest questions OF constitutional law,
has permeated through his disciples and
his compositions into every Common
wealth of the Union to every department
OF municipal. State. and Federal affairs
and has been felt in every council cham
Der, courtroom. and legislative hail. Like
Blackstone and Kent and Story and
Cooley. he has been a teacher of teachers,
law-maker to legislators, and a SUI
preme court to judges.
MINORS SUCCESS.
That Professor Minor has been emf
ff.ntly successful as a T. acher OF his pro-
fession is the universal verdict and a
self-evident fact. "EXitus acta probat."
the maxim Of Washington, Is the test
or all human workmanship, and this sue
cess attests more than any euloglum the
eminent abilities and virtues with which
he has performed his ardLous and deli
cate tasks. To add my testimony to them
would only be to add pebble to monu-
mental pile yet | claim the privilege Of
stating what | have often said-that ] DO
not believe his superior as a law-teacher
ever existed
The great teacher must have an elevated
conception Of his mission and a character
that furnishes a constant sanction 10 his
purposes and his labors. The great law
yers whether at the bar. in the lecture
room. or on the bench, have been the men
who stood for great moral principles and
impressed them into the spirit Of the law.
The law, indeed, is the public conscience
uttered as the public will and sanctioned
by the public power. 1t deals with rights
in order TO defend and preserve them. 1t
deals with wrongs in order TO repair them
and prevent them. 1t ends In Justice; and
justice means peace and honor. What IS
that great system OF equity jurisprudence
which we see advancing its lines and en-
larging its jurisdiction from generation to
Notwithstanding on and on.
planning away the sharp angles and rough
edges Of the common law, experimenting
IFS htlltltilcleS. SNlltIllilp us faSbTS, iOif-
running its purpose, and garnering its
fruits? What is 1t but the expansion Of
the public conscience and the reaching
forth Of its hands to refine the standards
Of right and to perfect the remedies for
the prevention and rectifcation Of
wrongs?
Plato has compared the progressive life
OF society to the prolonged life of "A sin
gle man. The career Of equity may be in
like manner compared 10 the prolonged
life of Il single judge who fashions his
DEGREES according to the most honorable,
beneficent and enlightened view Of the
times.
WHAT MINOR HAS TAUGHT.
Blackstone gives us the ideal citizen
in one "who lives honestly, hurts nobody,
and renders to every man his due" Such
has our percpptOr been. \enocrates. the
sublime philosopher. was once asked what
his disciples learned, and he replied: TO
do that Of their own accord which they
might be compelled to do by law" So
has our preceptOr taught. His highest aim
has been to imbue his pupils with those
instincts of right doing and right thinking
without which they might become book
worms, phrase mOngers, plea-juggicrs.
and money! etters. but never lawyers
I'm any reputable sense Of the term. They
have learned this not only from his lips,
but from his example, for they have seen
him governing himself according 20 the
rigors Of the common law, and dealing
with others according TO the principles
Of equity. When he has wished his pupils,
after the manner Of Coke, 1.-THE gladstone
light of Jurisprudence. the loneliness OF
temperance. the stability OF fortitude. and
the solidty of Justice" he has invoked
for them only what he himself possessed.
The lawyers mission Is the laws mis-
sion-the making of peace with honor.
lie who pervcrts ii to the stirring OF
strife for profit is a disgrace 10 his pro-
fesslon. an Arnold TO his country. and
Judas 10 his kind. 1t is force OF char
acter and weight Of opinion that makes
the able lawyer They can only be built
up on the foundation Of strict integrity,
faithful courage. and sound judgment,
and these have been the'things that John
y. Minor has taught here.
HIS ARTS AND VIRTUES.
From his luminous and equitable char
acter. as from the head waters of a river,
have flowed into the various channels Of
Mr.. Minors professional life the various
arts and virtues which he has brought to
bear in stimulating and enobling the
heart and mind entrusted TO his care. Pa
thence, prudence and punctuality; concen-
tration and continuous attention to the
business in hand infinite tact ana PANS
taking; sweetness Of temper, mild and
winning manner unfailing courtesy and
consideration. modesty withal-with what
long and laborious fidelity has he exer-
cised these virtues here,
With what fatherly interest has he fol-
lowed his old pupils in their professional
tolls Who amongst them, struggling
with the responsibility of his first impor-
tant case. or "corked'' by some knotty
question, has not imposed upon his good
nature by writing to him TO aid In unrid-
ding the riddle? Had he been cold self
ish and Indifferent the waste basket
would have been the eager receptacle Of
such epistles, but he always took time
from his eXacting labors TO give polite
and learned response, showing the warm
sympathy he felt in his pupils success
and a nobility OF character beyond money
and beyond price.
HIS SYSTEM OF TEACHING
The method of imparting instruction
pursued by Mr.. Minor has placed his
wisdom on plane with his moral quail
iications Adopting the system OF ana
lysis which was delneated by Hale and
amplified by Blackstone. he built upon IL
those expositions OF common law princi-
pies and statutory alterations which re-
veal the law TO the minds eye as topo-
graphical map of "A country cast In bas
relief. His pupils see the law in looking
90, ,ss apatvsis On a blackboard or on "A