The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-05
MIR. MUNFORD'S REMARKS.
Air Nm, fnr ,-ni.l

We assembled at the call of the Nir-
Slnia State Bar Association and Bar As
sociation of the city OF Richmond to do
honor to the august memory of John
Marshall. and TO celebrate the one nun
dredth anniversary of his elevation to
the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States. The exalted
character Of the man and the great i'm
port of the event furnish the inspiration
of the call. while the unity of the peoples
response demonstrates the popular SYM
pathy in the commemoration.
To-day throughout the length sind
breadth OF this land a grateful people
take reckoning of what the life and labors
of John Marshall have meant to the re-
public, The ration stands radiant, yet
awe-struck, at the splendid apparition of
its present powers and regal RESPONSE
bilities. Behind we mark the pathway of
our coun'ry's progress. i1lunined by the
terrorS Of its trials and the SDlendorS of
its triumphs. Beyond stretches the great
future, for whose problems we know no
chart or compass except the principles
and practices which have brought the re-
public in safety and honor to this auspi-
cious hour Fortunate. indeed. that in
this opening year of the dawning century
our people have been summoned TO study
anew the work of the great Iaw-giver
John Marshall. and the contributions
and the cause of constitutional liberty.
In the early days of the century Just
closed a great son of Massachusetts called
this Nirgi:lian to the high office of Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of the then
new-7nade republic. Despite the differ
ences OF the more recent past, at Vir-
ginias call another great man from the
land of the Pilgrims has come to the
Commonwealth OF the Cavaliers to re-
count the labors and triumrhs of her IL
luStrlouS son. The call for his coming
and his presence here to-day are assur-
anceS of a return of the fraternal spirit
which animated the people of those two
great States during the heroic DAYS from
Concord 10 Yorktown To pres eat his
orator we have most appropriately Sc
lected the highest judicial officer of the
Commonwealth. The county of FauQuier
prc-eminent in the annals of Virginia for
men of strong minds and valiant hearts.
gave TO eXaltet; citizenship and iurispru-
dence The illustriouS Chief Justice whose
memory we honor to-day. In these latter
years she has sent forth another-James
Keith, President of Nirsinia's Supreme
Court-who illustrates in his character
and attainments the best traditions of his
Commonwealth, and who l now have the
privilege of presenting to this audience
JUDGE KEITH'S ADDRESS,
Judge Keith was Very literally ap-
pauded as he advanced to the front of
the stage. His address was q model of
chaSte expression. He said:
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Bar
Association, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The great Alexander exclaimed as he
stood al the tomb of Achilles: "Oh, fortu-
nate mani who found a Homer as the her
aid of your heroic deeds!" And truly; for
had not the Iliad survived, the tomb which
held his body would have buried his very
name.
He whose life work we are here to COM
memorate has been scarcely less happy.
To have borne a great part in one of the
most stupendous achievements in the
worlds history: to have shared in the
formation. influenced the development
and impressed his mind and character
upon the institutions and laws of these
United States. was the supreme good
fortune and the transcendant merit of
John Marshall. No Homer, indeed, has
sung his story in immortal verse. The
labor of the jurist offers no conSenial
theme to the poet, but the muse OF history
will find in the opinions OF the Supreme
Court the record of Marshall's work
which has earned for him undyins fame
as the great Chief Justice" and which
constitutes a monument to his memory
more enduring than brass.
In life he was cheered by the affection
and aided and strengthened by the genius
and learning OF a great son of Massac chu-
sets, and their names are indiSsoubly
linked together in the memory of men,
Who can think of Marshall whose next
thought is not of Story? They labored to-
sether in faithful and appreciatiye friend
ship and their luminous judgments shine
upon US with the blended light of
double star.
A hundred years have passed. Time and
'ate have established and vindicated the
principles for which they together
and to-day another great son
# the same fruitful mother. an illus
rious member of that high tribunal, in