Year: 1878

ney G.. ID. Wise ON Death Of Judge


Guie0n Made Before MustiRgs Court


on Monday.


Prevented by absence from attending the
meeting OF the members Of the bar. OF this
city to pay the last tribute Of respect to the
memory Of the distinguished Judge who pre-
sided over this courtwith so much Of digni-
-ty and ability, avail myself Of the earliest
occasion to give expression to the sincere
and heartfelt sorrow which the announce
ment OF his death caused me. For eight
years he was my daily companion, and du-
ring that whole period we lived in mutual
trust and esteem. For my noble friend
entertained unbouDded admiration, and in
common with this whole community mourn
that he was called so quickly and so sud-
denly from the field of bis labors and his
usefulness.


When he ascepded to that bench-which
5he adorned-he was comparatively un-
known, or, rather, was known only as a
quiet, unobtrusive, and unpretending law
yer. He did not gain his promotion as the
reward Of a brilliant career at the bar.
There were few, even OF his most Intimate
friends, who, prior to his elevation, imag-
ined that this quiet man, who had moved so
noiselessly in our midst, possessed so much
Of character and OF strength.


There were few who thought when he
assumed the robes OF his high office that he
was formed Of so fine q mould. and many
there were who feared that he would not
be able to give entire satisfaction as the
successor of the lamented Lyons. The
event proved how false had been the esti-
mate OF the man. When the golden oppor-
tunity came for the display Of his high
qualities; when the occasion arrived which
called forth his great powers, hitherto hid
den, then it was that men began to wonder
how it had happened that he had lived
$50 long unknown. He went upon the
bench without name, he died honored
and respected as one Of the best and purest
OF Virginia's judges. The secret OF his
wonderful success was in the fact that with
loyal and heroic heart he trod cold duty's
path. He could neither be seduced by flat
terry nor moved by threats. In the dis
charge OF the duties OF his office he was
deaf alike to the voice Of censure and Of
praise. There were combined and happily
blended in him all the elements to consti-
tute great and good Judge.


He was firm without severity brave with
out impetuosity. In the Interpretation Of
the laws he diligently sought 10 know their
true meaning, and in their enforcement was
governed only BY stern and infieXible
sense Of duty. He was a terror to evil.
doers, because he loved iustice-that virtue
which chiefly adorned him as judge.


For the quiet and good order of this we'll
governed city we were indebted more to him
than to any other man. BY an infexible, il
not stern, administration of the criminal
code he gave security to persons and pro-
perry. He held the scales Of justice equal
balanced, and in the enforcement OF the
laws regarded neither the rank nor the
condition OF the accused. He never suf-
fered his personal feelings to influence his
conduct as magistrate, and peyer feared
to encounter the sternest opposition. With
equal scale he weighed all offences.


g He was no. soothcd with adulation.


Nor moved with tears, to wress the cause of JUS


Into IN unjust current, t. oppress the innocent;


Nor did he make the laws


Punish the man, but IN the man the cause''


His justice did not wink at crimes, and he
was never seduced from his purpose. He
was indeed Judge so noble, sin the man.
age OF his office so incorrupt," possessing so
much OF that ancient Roman honor and cour-
age, that / do not wonder be is mourned by
the whole community. All felt secure in
their persons and their homes, because they
knew that an upright, brave, and vigilant
sentinel was on guard, who would not
slumber on the post of duty, whom gold
could not buy and whom threats could not
intimidate. feel this stroke more keenly
than others, not alone because he was my
friend whom loved, my companion whom
honored, but because as an officer of this
court shall miss the strong arm on which
I leaned for support. Withal he was of a
kind and gentle disposition, modest and
simple in his manners. The access to him
was easy, and he heard all with patience
and respect. He had heart which
was touched by the sorrows OF
others, and it afforded him pleasure
to soothe the wounds and bruises OF
another with the gentle dews OF his sympa-
thy. In his intercourse with men he was
careful to avoid the giving of offence, and
was as free from envy and detraction as any
man with whom / ever came into contact.
None Of mortal kind are perfect, and in the
composition Of every human being there is
more or less of human frailty, but cen his
faults leaned to virtues side. In fine, he
was an cNemplar worthy of imitation, an
upright and discriminating iudge-incor-
ruptible and fearless.