Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-06-06
Circuit Court.

began here on Monday, with Judge ].
call Of the dockets, Mr.. Morgan on the part
Of the County Commissioners asked the
Court TO discharge Emanuel Clements who
had been retained at the Aims House suf-
fering from mental trouble. After some
discussion. the Court passed an order that
he be discharged unless sufficient cause 10
the ,sontray be shown on Tuesday the
18th, on which day the Court will meet to
hear the case. The States Attorney, Mr..
H. Harris Csmalier. then arose and an
nounced 10 the Court the death of the
Honorable Benjamin Gwinn Harris as
follows:
May IL please the Court II rise &C. an
nounce an event which came upon this bar
with profound regret and the siDcerest sor-
row. Honorable Benjamin Gwinn Har-
ris, late our Oldest member, is no more
Upon the fourth Of April last, at his home
Ellenborougs. under the same roof where
he was born near unto eighty nine years
ago, lie passed away, cheered by the pres
encc Of an only idolizing daughter and
three grsnddaughters, the pride and solace
Of his declining years, and surrounded by
devoted relatives and personal friends.
II 10 sad To realize that his long life Of
faithful public service isended. Wegrieve
that earnest, fearless utterances in the sup
port DT whatever he deemed right, those
fierce and imprisoned denunciations Of
whatever he believed 10 be wrong, so often
heard In the Halls of Congress and within
these venerated walls, are hushed forever.
Although his extreme old age and declin-
ing health rendered the sad event which
we are called upon deplore not improba-
BILE, still every heart within this whole
community is deeply touched by its reali-
~. Full Of years and full of honors our
dear old friend has gone, and we have
nothing left 10 US but the memory of his
virtues and the remembrance OF his exalted
patriotism.
know, Your Honor, that the present is
not the time for any heightened sketch OF
his life and public services, and yet feel
that my sad trust would seem but half tis-
charged were TO omit all reference TO
some Of the nobler traits of his character
which have made bis name and his fame
forever secure, not only in the hearts ofihe
people of our own State where he was so
well known and universally beloved, hut
also in the public estimation of this coUln.
try, in whose councils he served with so
much distinction, candor and courage, and
in which during the stormy years Of the
war he acted so conspicuous part
Blessed with unusual intellect, possessed
Of indomitable courage and unyielding
viii, hOnest and sincere in his convictions,
decided and emphatic upon all public
questions, he was n mar, when his oPn-
ions were once formed, no opposition could
deter, no inducements of policy could
swerve him from the path OF his duty, aud
no argument could be so effective as TO
cause him 10 pause and inquire where his
bolts would fall or whom his arrows would
pierce.
In his private life he was kind and Sc
NAL companion. a true and steadfast friend
Although in the later years OF mis- life he
keenly felt the pangs OF misfortune super
induced by the late civil war, yet he never
so far forgot his manhood and his honor as
10
Crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
where thrift may follow fawning."
In. our profession, as far back as my
memory runs, he held high rank through
out our State, the history of which is 50
luminous with the names of able lawyers
and profound juEists. His mind was well
trained and the knowledge of the great
principles of the common law seemed to
increase and expand with his advancing
years. Such O man was the Hon. Benja.
min Gwinn Harris, our late venerable de.
ceased brother
II an apology be needed, Your Homer,
thai thus carly have yentured to ask this
Court to pause while In its public dutis
70 pay feeble tribute 10 his memory, lst
Il be enough to say tha, from the lips now
cold and fixed, and the voice now hushsd
in death, came first the encouraging couii.
sci and incentive that have placed me ID
day with you. Gratitude, therefore, for tie
kindness OF "a friend. as well IS reverence
for the greatness of q man, prompt me, -ils
this time TO raise my voice in mournfnl NJ
QUEEN for our departed friend and brother.
II IL true there are others a, this bar, Yoyr
Honor, wko have known him longer than
have, who have shared with him for long
years the duties and responsibilities Of pub
lie life; others who respected him in his
life, enjoyed his friendship, and now Ia