The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-10-17
TRIBUTE TO THE
HON. {. S. BRYAN.
GREENVILLES 6 BAR DECLARES
IT'S REGARD AND ADMIRATION
For the Judge Who for "Fourteer
Horrible Years Stood the Principal
Barrier Between Us and the
Euc1 oachments Of Power"

held in honor OF the late Hon. Geo.
$. Bryan, the following memorial and
resolutions were unanim ously adopted:
In looking back upon the history Of
our State the most casual reader mtlst
recognize that to the members Of the
legal profession belongs the credit OF
some of our greatest and best reforms;
and that to them We owe debt OF
gratitude for the extrication OF the
colony as well as the State from some
Of her greatest perils. In the early
history of the colony, for instance at
period when it seemed that the little
community, surrounded by savages
and remote from the mother country,
was about TO be corrupted end lost
under the influence of the gold OF
pirates. it 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 indepen-
dence, when the victorious party was
bent upon revenge and the State was
fast drifting to civil war, it was the
voice of Judge Burke, from the Cir
cult Bench, that called halt, and by
the fcarlessness of his conduct and
impartiality of his rulings brought all
right thinking men to 4 realization Of
the danger, and restored peace and
prosperity to the country. These are
but two instances Of the influence OF
the BencL. Many more might be
cited, but mono 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
caree-, for while other Judges in this
Stat! have been called upon to meet
particular emergencies. Judge Bryan
for fourteen horrible years stood the
principal, and at times the only bar
rier between us and the encroachments
Of power. Having been a consistent
opponent Of secession, lie could with
truth take the oath that he felt no
sympathy with war for secession, but
his heart was ever and at all times in
deepest sympathy with the suferings
Of bis people, and absolutely loyal to
the cause Of constitutional liberty and
the rights Of the citizens.
When he took his seat upon the
Bench there sat at his side i Circuit
Judge in full sympathy with the do
minant party. At the door, we might
say, were the bayonats Of the United
States army. Near by was military
tribunal claiming Jurisdiction in all
criminal matters. IN Washington a
Congress determined to reyolutionize
the State Government. The question
was immediately presented whether
the civil power had priority over the
military, and Judge Bryan met it in
q manne~ worthy of all praise.
Although prevented by brute force
from enforcing the process Of tie
Court, yet his course was such as to
arrest the attention of the North, and
to set in motion those influences which
finally broughtus relief. In opposing
the efforts made to drive the Bar out
OF the Courts, the infamous Enforce
ment Act, the attempts to deprive the
cit;-cns Of the State of the right Of
trial by jury O: the vicinage-in all
these struggles leach of them Of vital
importance to the country Judge
BRYAN was a tower Of strength in be-
half Of the right. Not until the elec-
ton OF a Democrat to the office Of
President of the United States did
these prosecutions come to an end, and
only taen did Judge Bryan think OF
retiring. This he determined upon II
1856. 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
attestrd that he bore upon him the
weight of years. He enjoyed the love
and reneration of his family and
frienGs. 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-
turnel once more to the quiet, modest
life OF which he was almost fond.
Surrounded by a devoted family the
downward path of life, though accom-,
panied by physical Labor and PAIN
the common Inheritance OF MI manslnd
who cttaincd to four score years: WAS
strewa with many flowers.
On the oSth day 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 commemo'
rate. In doing so we do honor, no
OILY to him, but to ourselves, our pro
fession Of our State, Of which he was &
distinguished native. and worthy ex-
ample to i'll men.
therefore, be it resolved by the Bar
of Greenvillc County:
First. That in the death of the Hon
orable 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 SerNlce w Iue ooI11
trv cannot be over estimated.
Second. That We consider 1t due TO
him and to ourselves that we put upon
record our admiration Of his virtues
and talents, our pride IN him ss a te1-
low Carolinian whose name must pass
into history as one of the greatest men
of our State, and our sorrow at parting
forver with one whose presence among
us was always a pleasure.
Third That we offer to his widow
and children our sincere sympathy IN
this their bereavement.
Fourth. That the Greenville news
papers, the Charleston News and
Courier and the Columbia State be re-