The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-11-08

all over the country were looking for
him To be called to Washington as
member of the Cabinet in the new adj
miniStration. With his Knowledge and
ability and above all with his Kind. un-
selfish heart, he would undoubtedly
have accomplished much good for his
country.
las lawyer Judge Settle was fair,
able, just and honorable. His mind
was quick and he readily caught the
point. In statement he was clear and
incisiVc in argument logical, in man
ner and expression. fOrcible and effec-
tive. AS a prosecuting officer he com
pretended the depth and meaning of
his oath of office and strove to admin
lister the criminal law fairly and inn
partially~-not harshly nor with OPP
prcssioa. He observed the golden rule
of the law; he lived hOnorably in
iured nobody and gave to every one
his due On the bench here or i'm
Florida. he was beloved bv his assO-
ciatc judges as we'll as by the bar, and
was popular amongst all classes of
people. One Of the judges who sat
with him in this court thus spoke of
him: 'On the bench his relations with
his associates were always cordial and
intimate We regarded him as a
Younger brother and We're greatly aid
ed and benefited by his wise SuggeS-
tons and we'll considered cOunSelS in
those troublous times that required
cautious action. courage of opinion
and judicious adjudication in settling
new and difficult questions arising out
of the disturbed condition of public
affairs resulting from the reconstruc-
ton of the State government and from
the new modes Of pleading and pro-
cedure in the courts. AS Il judge he
was affable and courteous, patient a1d
attentive in hearing argument, firm
and impartial in his rulings. He pre-
sided in court with impressive dignity
and his integrity was stainless. He
possessed in high degree the genius.
of common sense and seemed to have
an intuitive knowledge of the eternal
principles of reason, justice and truth.
He relied more upon the principles
and reasons of the law than upon the
speculative and conflicting decisions Of
the courts. In any case argued before
him. his quick and clear apprehension
of the merits and the questions of law
involved generally enabled him to rem
der a just and correct decision
PERSONALLY Judge Settle was unusu
ally magnetic and lovable He com
handed admiration, if not affection,
instantly and without effort He was
Il perfect Speciman of Il man, cast in
n mould as perfect as Nature ever
uses. He was naturally superb, eX-
quisitc gentleman. His features were
always illumiaed with the light of in
telligence and the glow of a warm,
generous heart. He was tall and erect,
and his movements We're firm, grace
full and elastic. His genial presence
in the social circle always inspired
pleasant thoughts and feelings. The
kindness of his nature was as diffu
sive as the sunshine. His manners
were easy cordial. sincere, and pro-
voked a feeling Of cheerfulness and
happiness in those around him. He
had no feeling of eavy or jealousy and
was free from malice and guile. His
humOr was sunny and playful and he
had a large fund of amusing anecdote
which he appropriately applied to il
| uStrate a story or an argument. His
wit was sparkling and racy and, in the
excitement of controversy, keen and
caustic, but had no venom in its sting.
AS a conversationaliSt and companion
he had an individuality that was in
| n1itable.
'In public life his generosity. cour
age, and intellectual force made him
easily a leader among men. Though
| not at the bar many years, he deVel-
| oped forensic powers of the highest
order and showed the qualities of
great advocate.
'As IL politician he was valiant in
| advocating the principles and policies
in which he believed. He was stright-
forward and truthful i'm his dealings
with his party friends and associates.
There was no hypocrisy, deception or
double dealing about him. He despised
petty politics and refused to submit
! to the dictatiOn or rule of the petty
politician in the guise of a party boss.
| He believed in government by parties
| but not solely for parties, and much
! less for the special benefit of a few i'm
| those parties. He was not unduly
! biased by partiZan prejudiceS or ami
mosities. While firm in his convictions
| and fearless i'm the expression of his
| opinions of others and generous in his
| Judgment of their conduct and pur-
| poses.
'As a political debater he was pow
| erful and commanding and specially
adroit in the conduct of discussions.
"As a legislator he posses I'D a
| large fund of useful informal on and
| pra ctical knowledge. He was familiar
| with the subjects of legislation and
| the rules and proceedings of DELHI
erative assemblies, over which he pre-
sided with charming dignity and inn
| Partially.
His reputation was not confined to
| this State. He was as we'll known
and as well loved in other States as
| in North Carolina. His views upon
| State and national questions were en-
! lightened, comprehensive and emil
nently patriotic. He was sanguine in
| his anticipations of the future and
| INDUCED in no gloomy forebodings of
| coming disaster. Experiences of the
! past had not caused him to distrust
| the patriotism, the wise conservatism
| of the American people. He recogniz-
| ed the fact that time-social and bus
! mess intercourse and the pride and
| love of a common country-had sub
| dued the passions and prejudices of
| other days; and he believed that such
| just and liberal policies would be pur-
sued as would shortly overcome all
| animosities lingering with the people
1 of the two sections of our country
and cement them together in the
| bonds of perpetual friendship and UNI
ion. His faith in the advancement
and glory of the Republic was unfal-
tering and sublime.
1.-THE greatness of men is usually
| estimated from their public career and
| services. This is not always a true
test. 1t was in the family and among
| his intimate friends that the shining