Evening journal., 1918-06-19
TRIBUTE TO LIFE OF
COLONEL N|ELDS
R. Fl. Richards and Chief
Justice Pennewill Honor
Delawxrean
RESOLUTIONS PLACED
ON COURT RECORDS
special 10 THE EVENING JOIIRNAI

4 Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, June i9-Robert II. Richards,
In presenting resolutions from the New
Castle County Bar Association TO the
Supreme Court yesterday on the death
of Colonel Benjamin Nlelds, paid trlb-
ute to the life and character Of the
deceased, as follows:
MAY IL please the court canont re-
I fraln from exercising the privilege,
which the duty Of presenting these
resolutions affords me. Of making some
remarks.
The passing Of Colonel Nelds was an
event OF much. more than casual I'M
pOrtance His illness was known not
merely from newspaper report but be-
cause his presence was missed. This
Is something that can rarely be said
! OF a man, in this day Of speed, out
side his immediate circle and kindred.
I He was missed from his accustomed
place. Life In Wilmington had to re-
adjust Itself An appreclable part Of
sunshine was gone.
Colonel Nields came rather late TO
his chosen profession. Twenty eight
years IS several years beyond the age
at which the average lawyer Is admit
ted TO the bar in Delaware. Many or
the other distinguished lawyers OF the
state have attained high position at
The bar af thirty years. But almost
sixty years OF practice IS a record at
tained by but few. I'm this long period
.of devotion TO his profession, It may
almost be said that the variety OF Col
onel Nlelds' professional activities was
limited only by the possibilities OF the
"a nH n
rled professional experience made him
siorehcuse of wisdom in the practice
OF the law, TO which for many years
his professional juniors were won't to
resort for assistance, and no one could
have been more prodigal IN placing
that experience and wisdom at the DIS
posal OF his younger brothers at the
bar.
"Colonel Nields' high attainments,
success and ability as lawyer are
well known to this court. Indeed his
posiilon as one Of the leading lawyers
OF the Stale was well established be-
fore the generation TO which ] belong
had attained mature consciousness.
Among my frst STRINGS OF interest
land they came early in the legal pro-
I fession as a vocation for myself Is
coupled in my memory the name OF
] Colonel Nields as one OF Its ornaments.
/ No words Of mine can add lustre to ms
professional reputation. While sucn
regulations do not long survive in the
memory Of mankind generally, they do
survive and become traditions In the
courts and among the members OF the
bar. and I doubt not that among the
/ lawyers OF this State the tradition OF
Colonel Nields VIII live and grow and
flourish with other traditions well
known TO us all.
But Colonel Nields was not merely
/ lawyer. He was no professional recluse.
| Life beckoned to him from more tnan
one direction lie was courageous
man. of wisdom and judgment. Colonel
Nields was among the first TO
hear the cali TO duty at the outbreak
OF the Civil War. His service in theI
Civil war was both distinguished and
conspicuous He did not consider ms
duty done until the war was over and
its objects attained !
When high position at the bar had
been won and ample professional !
emoluments. Colonel Nields, while stu 4
conducting his extensive law practice,
realizing the needs Of the business
in which he lived, estab-
lished. and until his death was the I
directing head Of, the first trust COM
pany in the State, which came to be /
one OF the most successful and pros
porous OF our banking institutions.
in politics he was staunch Re
publican. lie neither sought nor held
political Office. lie did not aspire to