Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-28

ernor Seay, by Hon. Thomas R. Roulhac, Was read before the supreme court of the state at its memorial session last week: The death of few men in Alabama would have oecasioned greater or more universal regret, alike to it's people and the members of his profession, than that of Ex-Gov. Thomas Seay. So much of his life has been spent in the service of the state, and in the full flood of light upon all his actions, that each one was familiar with his name and character, and multitudes esteemed it a privilege to possess his acquaintance, while his personality was sueh-so gentle and con- siderate in manner, so bright and enter tafn1ng in conversation, manifesting at all times such kindly interest in hts fel- low men, accompanied by courtly dig nity and grace which bespoke his own rectitude in thought and speech-that acquaintance, though casual produced a lasting impression of pleasure, and, when it was extended by time and a closer knowledge of him, secured person. al friendship for the man and admiration for his character. The public recognized in him an intelligent leader and an earnest lover of his country, devoted to its best interests alive to its necessities, eager to remedy evil and capable of pro- noting it's advantages, pure and ele- NdltQ CillZci1, u puDllC S0TYdIlL. In no position which he occupied was there duty left unperformed, an ap- propriate work neglected or forgotten. It was not in the nature of the man to be halting or undecided on any question in which investigation, sound judg- ment and conscience could guide his footsteps. No man could impute to him selfish or sordid motives in any position he took on public matters, and detriment to his own interests, if considered, was ever secondary to his convictions of jus tice and duty. If clamor beset his deter imitation, if animadversionS were hurl- ed at his conduct, if persuasion sought to swerve him from what he believed to. be right, his manhood never forsook him; there was neither hesitation nor fear of consequences. If his conscience ap- proved his course the man was infex- ible. He trusted to time and results to prove that the right was the best. Should they do so, he was justified; should they not, his own heart would condemn him. Few when the rabble's wrath was aimed at him, better exem- plided the apothegm of Horace: "Fal- sus honor juvat, ct mendax infamia ter ret quem, nisi mendosum ct mendacem :"
 It had no terrors for him, however much. he might esteem the approval of those with whom he differed or however potent might seem the power of his ene- mics.
 As legislator from his native county he displayed ability of no common order in matters of gravest import to the state and it's people. He was diligent and constant in the discharge of every task pertaining to the troubled period of his service.
 As the president of the senate of Ala bama>he was the model of a presiding officer-alert, ready, thoroughly versed in the law of its procedure, capable and firm. Above all things he was just and ifNnfa tfaI Axx6 that is in this day of chicanery, partisan ship and obsequiousness to power How 1t restores the faith of honest men in the existence of a personal independence the supremacy of law, the sanctity of right and the value of free government to a free people.
 As the chief executive of his state for four years his administration was credit able in the highest degree to himself, his countrymen and his party. No well founded criticism could be brought against it. In most respects it was fault less No stain could be found on any act of his. Inviolable he kept the obligations of his trust Fearlessly he met each ex- igency as it arose. Every pledge was ob- served in its spirit; no single work was left unperformed and in it's proper man ner. He executed the law and he kept the peace of the commonwealth and pre- served and left the public faith and cred 1t untarnished.
 As a lawyer MT. Seay has long occupied g prominent place in Inc bar of Alabama, and his professional brethren have al- ways known him as the learned and loyal attorney, and courteous, honorable gen. Cleman. Very early after his admission to the bar he attained high place among his contemporaries, and his advance to "a front rank has been continuous. In most of the important litigation in the courts of his section of the state and En the supreme court, within the past quarter of century, he has borne part, which was rewarded with an unusual taegree of success. He prepared his eases well, and always presented his side of the Issue forcibly. His style of speaking was animated and agreeable, and he had the Gaculty of presenting a new light upon she subject discussed, by particular iphrase or a novel conception, that was always effective, and at times startling and overwhelming. In a cause which aroused his sympathies and where he en- tertained sense of oppression or dnJus- l;tiee to a client, his eloquence was genu- fine and stirring, and often he was in Mensely dramatic in action and speech. An incident in his early career as a law yer will best illustrate the power and eff feet of his forensic efforts. A foreigner, but short time in this country, without fortune or friends had been assaulted, 1t was alleged, by several persons of con- siderable means and influence, and had been wounded almost to death with both pistols and knives. When the trial of the accused was had their position in the community attracted large attendance of their friends and other listeners. The counsel for the defendants were strong in numbers and ability. Among the spec tators were the wives ofseveral of the de- fsndants' attorneys. When MT. Seay, sngIe-handed, was closing his magnifi- cent and intrepid prosecution. and was picturing the ghastly wounds and savage butchery of the poor stranger in a strange land, overwhelmed by numbers. shot and cut down, as he manfully resisted their attempts to murder him, the wife of one of the defendants lawyers could not re- strain her tears. When her emotion was discovered her husband escorted her from the court room, and outside inquired what she was crying about. She replied that she could not help crying when Mr. Seay told how that poor, friendless Irish man had been treated so cruelty. Yes" said her husband, ''but you are crying on the wrong side" His defense of Boggs for the killing of Pettigrew, when mob violence threatened the life of the accused and of all who came to his succor, was a splendid exhibition of his courage, ability