Year: 1865

Judge Mercur then, being called upon, said
NJ, Chairman and members Of the Bar It would
be aHectaton for me to deny that highly apprec-
ate this manifestation OF your kindness. When L


came upon the Bench four years ago felt distrust-
full of my ability to properly discharge my duties
L recollected that Chief Justice Gibson had first
presided i'll this district, and from that time down.
Judges of great learning legal acumen, and anal
ytical powers of mind had occupied the Bench
L feared the comparison that would be made be-


tween me and my immediate predecessor. Making
as do, due allowance for the remarks of partial
friends / am gratiied to know that have so ad-
mlnistered justice as to satisfy the Bar and the
people.


1t affords me pleasure to say that during the
whole time have occupied the Bench, | have re-


ceived the most kind and respectful treatment from
every member of the Bar. Nothing has ever oc-
cured to those kind relations which should al
ways exist between the Bench and Bar.
While presiding in this district, | have had oc-


cason to hold special Courts in several other dis


trlcts, and truth requires me to say, that in none
of them, did find kind and fraternal feel
ing existing between the members of the Bar, than
III this district This feeling existed at the Bar
when left it. 1t has continued while | was on
the Bench, and have doubt that l shall so find
1t upon my return among you.


My term upon the Bench has been to me very
pleasant. Many reasons exist why should have
wished to remain there but it has been determin-
ed otherwise. From an early age | had fOndnesS
for the trial of causes Often, while upon the Bench
during the trial of important cause before me-
| wished that | was at the Bar engaged in its trial


The position of a member of the Bar is Il worthy
and responsible one. The Judicial branch of our
government is that which gives security and pro-
lection to persons and property The Judges
alone, constitute small part of that great iudic-
ial system which snterwoven with our daily trans
actions. 1t lies III great measure III the whole
body of the legal profession. Each member of the
Bar should therefore feel that he can do much to
elevate its character or bring it into disrepute So
Intimately in the public estimation, are the repu-
tations of the members of the Bar blended ant one
dishon0rable member can bring dscredit upon the
whole Bar to which he belongs.


| am entirely satisfied to return, and to take my
place among you, to engage once more i'll the intel
lectual yet friendly conflicts incident to the profess
sion. In whatever public prvatepostion may
be placed, trust and believe that the same frater-
nal feelings, which have existed between us in the
past, will continue in the future.


The toasts and speeches were all received with
marked applause.


In compliance with the general request Of the
company, Gen. Patton sang his favorite song,
'John Anderson my joe" which elected general
applause After indulging in some colloquial wit
tcisms and jocularties natural to the profession,
the company then adjourned with mutual good
feeling and without anything having occurred to
mar the pleasure and harmony of the occasion.