The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-15

By the blessings of Almighty God, my health
and life have been preserved, and 1 have
been enabled to take part in the consideration
of all these cases.
We appreciate the magnitude Of our Iabors.
The burden resting upon for the last fif
teen or twenty years has been enormous.
Inc volumes of our reports show that 1
alone have written 620 opinions. If to these
are added ffty-seven in the circuit court and
365 prepared while 1 was on the supreme
court of California, it will be seen that 1
nave voiced the decision in 1,O42 cases. If 1t
may be said that all of our decisions have not
met with the universal approval of the Amer
lean people, yet it is to the glory of that
people that always and everywhere has been
yielded a willing obedience to them. That
fact is eloquent Of the stability of popular
institutions, and demonstrates that the peo-
pie of the United States are capable of self
government.
AS 1 look back over the more than a third
of century that l have sat this bench l
am more and more impressed with the i'm
measurable Importance of this court. Now
and then we hear 1t spoken of as an aristo-
cratic feature of a republican government
But it is the most Democratic of all. Sena-
tors represent their states and representa-
tives their constituents, but this court stands
for the whole country, and as such it is truly
'of the people, by the people and for the
people" 1t has, indeed, no power to legisate,
1t cannot appropriate dollar of money. II
carries neither the purse nor the sword. But
it possesses the power of declaring the law
and in that is found the safeguard which
keeps the whole mighty fabric of government
from rushing to destruction. This negative
power, the power of resistance, is the only
safety of a popular government, and 1t Is an
additional assurance, when the power Is in
such hands as yours.
With this l give place to my successor, but
l can never cease to linger on the memories
of the past. Among the compensatiOns for
all the hard work that seat on this bench
imposes have been the intimacies and friend
ships that have been formed between its
members. Though we have often differed In
our opinions, it has always been honest
difference, which did not affect our mutual
regard and respect. These many years have
indeed been years of labor and of toll, but
they have brought their own rewards, and
can all join in Thanksgiving to the Author
of our being that we have been permitted to
spend so much of our lives in the service Of
our country.
With profound respect and regard, am.
my dear brethren, very sincerely and always
yours, Stephen j. Field.
Following is the courts reply:
Supreme Court of the United States, Wash
ington, D. c., Oct. 10, 1S97-Dear Brother
Field: We profoundly moved by the let
ter in which you announce to us your retire
ment from the bench. The termination of
judicial career of such length and distinction
cannot fail to inspire among all your country
men, and indeed wherever the realm of juris-
| prudence extends, keen sense of loss, which
! to your colleagues assumes the aspect or
personal bereavement For the intimacy nee
| eSsarily incident to the conduct OF work so
| constant eXacting, and of such vital i'm
portance as ours Inevitably draws US to-
| gether by ties of the closest character, which
cannot be dissolved without emotions of deep
sadness and regret. We feel that our part
ing involves not simply the deprivation of the
| assistance afforded by your learning. your
vast experience and your earnestness in ad-
vocacy of your convictions, but the severance
of those relations which have contributed so
much to tighten the hardest labors of the
road
This is not the time place tc dwell upon
the reputation you have achieved as jurist.
The record is made up and may safely be
committed to the Judgment of posterity.
But we cannot part with you as an active
member of the court without the fervent ex-
preston of the hopes that you may be spared
for many years to enjoy the repose you have
so thoroughly earned, and the commendation
bestowed on good and faithful service. We
are dear Brother Field, your affectionate
brethren Melville w. Fuller,
John NJ. Harlan,
Horace Gray,
David ]. Brewer,
Henry B. Brown,
George Shiras Jr.,
e. D. White.
R w. Peckham.