The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-10-23

lcalth ana vigor Of !oCy common to
man had been vOuchsafed to Eim, we
cannot say. His abi,it,e3 Were equal
% any position or station. His nature
was perhaps too reflective and phili-
osophical in its bent to have found an
active political life congenial, though
no one could be more truly patriotic,
more ardently alive to the best inter-
ests OF his country
eff he had gone into political life,
he would have been a true, unselfish,
patriotic statesman. but cut off by
bodily infrmities from other pur-
suits. he found in his profession SOL
ace for his suferings and an Occupa-
ton worthy Of his high aims When.
in his young manhood, he was stretch
ed upon his bed, weary prisoner OF
pain, for many months his firm will
fought off suffering with severe study,
and all his after life showed that his
mind was superior to sufferings, even
as great as his, and when others would
have rested, he labored on and studied
on.
"He was not content with anything
short of thorouEhness, his first aim
was to master the great principles Of
Law, and then to follow them in all
their ramiflcations and developments.
He, perhaps, had not his equal in the
department of real estate law, but he
was a genuine lover Of his Profession,
and no department of 1t was neglect
ed; and he went beyond our systems
temE the great principles of our own,
and find in them, If not authority, yet
the materials of copiOus illustration.
Sometimes In his legal arguments, but
oftener in his conversational discuss
sions with his brethren, his frequent
quotations from the Civil Law, and
his clear expositions Of its analogous
principles would show his admiration
Of that great System and his estimate
of its value in the elufidation Of i'm
portant legal questions.
His memory was remarkably ready
and accurate. and little, II anything,
seemed ever to be lost or to be un-
available to him which he had COM
mitted to it's keeping. A result at
which he had arrived, an opinion
which he thad formed. was laid away
until 1t was needed. The dicta of
learned authors and the decisions Of
the various Courts he could generally
refer to by name and volume. and all
his knowledge was at his command.
"If he failed Of success or erred in
any OF his conclusions 1t would gener-
ally be found to be the result Of his
nice perceptions discovering distinc.
tiona which others could not see. But
such Instances were infrequcnt. and
as an expounder of the Law, either
would have made important contribu-
tons to legal learning.
ITO the Bar Of his whole State, he
has been directly a valuable instruc-
tor in his labors as State Reporter for
80 many years. The world may be
for more just, accurate
and complete abstracts OF the princi-
pies Of decisions than are to be found
In his Reports.
'He was a native Of this County
and lived all his life amongst us. He
was born on the 18th day of April.
1915. and died on the 18th day Of AIT
gust, 1879, In the 65th year Of his
age. That one suffering from such in
firmities and complications Of diseases
should live so, long was often the SUBJ
tect Of wondering remark. That so
maLy years were so we'll spent. and
were filled with such valuable labors
and worthy deeds. is deserving Of still
greater admiration.
Resolved therefore. That we cher
ish the memory of our departed
friend; that we hold up his life as an
example Of high aims and we'll direct
ed efforts. and present to ourselves
and our successors. his industry. his
patience. his gentleness. his firmness
his generosity, his high sense OF hon.
or, his integrity OF life as a model for
the formation Of character, both in.
dividual and professional"
Time fails me to recount the emil
nent services OF the distinguished
members Of the Bar Of Sumter above
the Millers-the May
rants--the Haynsworths-the Rich
ardsons-of A. c. Spain, brilliant law
yer and advocate-of James d. Bland
ing. the gallant survivor Of three
Wars. who as n lawyer at the Bar Of