Year: 1872

Boon after the opening Of the District Court o
the United States yesterday merning, being tn,
first regular term day since the resignation o
Judge Hall, William @. Spruance, ESQ. addressed
the Court as follows


May II please yonr Honor, the Bar Association
OF this county, deeply sensible of the eminen
public services and private worth Of the Honora
BILE Willard Hall, have deemed it proper tha
there should be some suitable expression Of
| their sentiments upon the occasion of his retire
ment from the seat which you now occupy and
| have the honor to be one OF a Committee
charged with the duty Of presenting to you 4
series OF resolutions in reference to that interest
| ing event.


While little accustomed to the language of
| panegyric. the services Of Judge Hall have been
| OF such character and duration as to be known
10 all,and our task on this occasion is both easy
and pleasant.


His career at the Bar closed before the recol-
lection of most of us, but there have come down
to ustradtions Of his diligence, accuracy learning
and fidelity to his clients, which made him safe
counselor and a successful practitioner
His career as Judge although commencing
almost NIFTY years ago, has been better known to
US. We have had abundant opportunity of
observing and estimating his worth in that
position; and indeed it is upon the members of
the legal profession, for the most part that the
reputation of the judiciary defends.


fauence' learning Justice, clear perception Of
truth, ,unwavering tirmness and impartality have
characterized the administration Of Justice in no
tribunal IN any country, or in any time more
sgnaly than in this Court during the long period
he has presided here.


The suitor, whatever his condition in life. or
his political or religious sentiments was alyvav ~
sure OF fair and impartial hearing, and a wise
and conscientious Judgment and we who are so
often warped by the enthusiasm of adyocacy when
the fever OF the hour was over, and the momen-
tary disappointment Of defeat had passed sel-
dom failed to see that his judgment was right


1t is especially in his intercourse with us that
we have occasion to cherish his name. Always
courteous and considerate Of the feelings of the
bar, he gave the most diligent attention to the
arguments OF counsel. and seemed panied when
duty and truth forbade him to yield to their
opinions.


As no suitor in all the years Of his career as a
Judge can now instance single stained or un-
just Judgment, 30 no member of this Bar can
recall single circumstance of harsh or unkind
treatment. he was truly model of politeness
in his bearing toward the Bar, and we fully ap-
preciate it.


Besides his merely professional services as a
Lawyer, and his official services as a Judge, he
had in earlier life, largely participated in public
affairs. He had been prominent member of
the Congress Of the United States, and was one
of the most learned and efficient members of the
Convention which framed our present Oonstitu-
ton, OF which the lamented Clayton was the
acknowledged leader.


He was the compiler of the excellent Digest of
1929 the first attempt to condense the Statute
law of this State and this admirable volume,
the result OF great labor, accuracy and sound
discrimination, was the sole compendium of our
statute law for twenty-three years, and until
superseded by the present Revised Code, was
more constantly in the hands of the Delaware
lawyer than any other book.


Our present Free School System, however,
outgrown by later ones of some of our sister
States, WAS in its day fully up to the re-
quirements of the times and has been an ines
timable blessing to thousands Of the men and
women OF this State, who now gratefully recog-
nize him as its father.
Nor is it inappropriate that we on this occasion
pay to him our tribute Of respect to Christian
gentleman.
He was not content with mere personal good
ness, but his heart went out to all men, and he
was constantly and actively engaged in good
works, As an Elder in his church. as the Pres
ident Of the State Bible Society and as jealous
advocate and promoter Of reform, he spent a
large part of his valuable time.
The teaching of his life, Sir, not only to the |
young, but to us who are older-is, that consis-
tent piety and benevolent labors are not only
compatible with the duties Of successful law
yer and judge, but they crown his life with beau
ty and honor.
And now Sir, in presenting to you the formal
resolutions Of the Bar, and moving, as now do, |
that they be placed upon the records of this |
Court-while We bid you welcome to the high |
seat which you occupy-we cannot hope for you, |
when your Juulclhi career snail nave ended, more
of true honor and respect than follow our ven |
cradle brother into his retirement.
The Resolutions were then read and handedto |
the Court.


RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION.
The Bar Association of New Castle county, in |
view Of the retirement of the Honorable Willard |
Hall from the office of District Judge of the |
United States for the District Of Delaware, which
he has honorably occupied for almost half a |
century, in giving expression to their sense of /
his public services and private worth, and their
regret at the termination of his official career do
hereby resolve.


1st That his thorough academic and legal |
training, his extensive and varied practice at the /
bar, and his naturally vigorous and logical intel
lect, emipently qualified him for the discharge /
Of the functions of his high Office while his un-
varied patience, candor and impartiality in the
of Justice merited and received |
confidence and respect.


3D. That the uniform courtesy, urbanty and |
polite treatment which have always characterized
his intercourse with the bar, have rendered the /
performance of our professional duties easy and
pleasant, and inspired for him in our hearts
sincere and affectionate regard.


3rd. That the admirable digest of which he |
was the sole compiler, and the present constitu-
ton of which he was one of the most learned
and able framers and the free School System
Of which he was the author,are among the many /
eminent services rendered by him to the people L
of this State for which they will ever continue /
to hold his name in grateful remembrance.


4th That his consistent and unassuming Chris
tian character, and his constant and jealous de- |
votIon to the welfare and prosperity Of all classes
Of the community in which he has 30 long lived, |
have endeared him to the people, and made his |
an example worthy of all imitation.
9TH. That we unfeignedly regret the necessity |
felt by him Of retirement to private lifet which |
he goes with the respect and honornot only of the
members OF his own profession, but of all good |
citizens and we do tender to him our most |
sincere wishes that his future may be as tran
quill and as happy, as his past has been useful
and honorable.
9Th. That copy Of these resolutions be pres
ented to our venerable brother, and to the sew
e-al courts of this District and State, with re-
quest that they be entered of record.


w. @. SPRUANCE,


w. T. MCAuILEY,


CHAs. B. LORE,


BENZ, NIELDs,


SAM. M. HARRINGToN.


Committee of the Bar Association Of New
Castle County.


Nty.fts q n Il,