Year: 1878

Virginia has never lacked able and con-
scientious Judges; but it may be question
ed whether any OF the many who have
worthilv discharged judicial duties on her
bench have come nearer the ideal Of what
he should be than the late Judge Guigon, of
the Richmond corporation court. He was
not great jurist, in the sense that Judge
Marshall or Judge Leigh was. Great con-
stitutional questions were not brought De-
fore him for adjudication. In the exercise
of powers required Of the tenants OF the
highest tribunals he would not probably
have achieved distinction. 1t was his high
persona character more than his profession
al attainmepts that gave him his Just fame.
Judge Gulgon was essentially an admins
traitor of justice in position which de-
manded q clear head, firm nerves, wise
balance of discretion and boldness, and the
instinct to rescue society from the hands OF
the lawess classes. In great city the de-
vices OF men who are professional criminals
are ingenious and bold in almost exact pro-
norton TO the population, for the reason
that they are backed by all the influences
which their fellows in crime are able to set
in motion, and these are more numerous, of
course, as city grows more populous and
affords opportunities for plumber and for
concealment In such places men who are
nut on trial, although their hands and
their habits are well known to the OFF,
GERS of law, never lack substantial friends;
there are always witnesses to serve them,
bondsmen and bailSmen to enlarge them,
and facile lawyers to forward their cause
by expedients from which the seli-respect-
ing advocate would recoi. The Judge who
penetrates these ambuScades OF fraud and
violence, lays bare the concealments resort
ed 10 for their escape, and administers sub
stantial and sometimes severe justice, must
be more than student Of law and books.
He must be every inch man, not afraid OF
meeting any responsibility, and careless OF
the displeasure which criminals or their
sympathizers may seek to visit on him. lie
should be even aggressive, within the strict
limits of law and Justice, to save society, TO
enforce order, to make life and property Sc
cure, and to strengthen the cause OF the
law-abiding against the law-defying. Such
a man and Judge was Alexander GulSon.
1t is no wonder Richmond laments his loss
and honors his memory. II be made mis-
takes it was in the right direction. II he
had feelings from which the bench is ab-
stractly supposed to be free they were such
as each honest man ought to have, When
dealing with the inveterately dishonest and
in assisting from his place to make the
balances of justice poise equally between
them and the laws broken by them. No
higher praise can be bestowed upon any
Judge than to say Of him that he was the
terror of eyil-Goers. It is tribute in most
honorable contrast with the fame supposed
to be acquired by skill and adroitness in IA
cilitating the escape OF criminals from pun
ishment. 1t is rare that such character
appears. When be does, and assumes all
the responsibilities incident TO trying duties,
let all honor be paid his name. We join In
the tribute which the Richmond press pays
the late corporation judge, as one who hon.
ored his high Office, and who will be not
more mourned than misunderstanding
appeal.