University of Michigan Law School - Quad Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

Page 61 text:

l cannot say that ludge Campbell did not desire one or both of these positions, but I can say with great conhdence that he did not seek either in the ways now too common in respect to places of similar importance and dignity, and that if in any way he allowed it to be known in advance that he was willing to accept it, he did so becausehe knew there was a public duty to be performed which the State had a right to call upon any competentcitizen to erform, and of which in the particular case, the popular will P desired his acceptance. He took it therefore without hesitation, though in doing so he was consenting to accept remuneration which for the two positions must have been very considerably smaller than that which his practice-was already bringing him. But he was not an avaricious man, he was modest in his habits of life and expenditure, he was content where others might have made vigorous complaint, and to the last day of his public service he accepted as of course the reward which those whose duty it was under the law to name it had prescribed. It is a pleasure to speak of the characteristics of one so beloved in public and in private life, because in whatever relation it was considered, it was seen to be always beautiful and always useful. But it will be emphasized in what 'follows as that of a teacher, not merely because onf the University campus we were brought in that special capacity into relations withhim, but because his life and character were of themselves lessons of great and abiding value to every one who came to him to be taught. Every stran er who took him by the handknew instinctively that it was . 3 the hand of a man of great heart and noble impulses, and whoever listened to his addresses from the professoris chair, felt that he sat before one who was not merely dealing with technical rules of government, but was making plain the rules of justice and right, which so far as is possible in the every-day life of the people should be made to dominate everywhere. Laborious as were the tasks which were imposed upon Profes- sor Campbell he found time to prepare and publish a book of some 6oo pages which he entitled ff Outlines of the Political History of Michigan , and which was particularly valuable as concerned the early days of territorial life. Professor Campbell was fortunate in the possession of a sunny disposition which made it pleasant for others, whether strangers oi 7

Page 60 text:

language, but he understood very well that this gift Was a quality young advocates were in danger of relying upon 'CO an CX'EC11'E that might prove misleading, and he was therefore accustomed to pre- pare when he was to appear in public as carefully and as thoroughly as if he had no such reliance. Such was the man as he appeared at the bar or in the professor's chair. . . . When the judicial system of the state was so changed in 1858 as to make the justices of the Supreme Court elective on general ticket, Mr. Campbell was one of the four selected by the almost spontaneous action of the people to compose the first independent Supreme Court. The other members were older, but he had rapidly attained a standing at the bar that made the choice of him- self seem altogether suitable and worthy. He possessed the quali- ties of mind and heart that pointed him out as eminently adapted to the judicial life, and the satisfaction at the choice was par- ticularly strong among the members of the bar, who had speedily come to know and appreciate his quickness of mind, his unusual logical powers, and a dominating sense of justice that was certain to bring to the discharge .of his duties his best ability, and his most patient and faithful application. . . A year after the new court was organized, when the Regents of the University decided to open a Law Department, they also turned with a like unanimity to Mr. Campbell, and invited him to become a member of the first Faculty. The Faculty, on his acceptance, made him its first Dean, and as it was understood he would perform the duties of bothjudge and teacher, it was thought proper that he be given the choice of topics in the school. But it was found that he had but one choice and that of a negative char- acter, so that this became unimportant. When his list was made out Equity jurisprudence stood at the head as his most prominent topic. He was probably more familiar with it than with any other, and could most readily make complete preparation for its discus- sion. He had superintended the publication of an excellent volume of chancery reports, and the office in which he had prac- ticed had given special attention to that line of jurisprudence, and was noted for its familiarity with its rules of procedure and plead- ings. But he also chose Criminal Law, which shows us how far he was from being narrow in his legal tastes, or in his preparation for dealing with the law in the new school.

Page 62 text:

i f 5 a 1 4 S F acquaintances to meet him and to exchange an agreeable Word as Opportunity Offered, He was ready in conversation, he had anec- dgteg cf the primitive days in Michigan which he made instructive, and he seldom parted from even the casual caller ,without his visi- tor taking with him some reminiscence which it would be a pleasure for him to call to mind afterwards. He spoke from the Professor's chair with the same ease as he would read from a book, he had his subject thoroughly at command, and he neither 'hesitated for a word nor made use of one that did not seem exactly adapted to the place. Explanations when they seemed called for were ready and clear, and no one felt any embarrassment in calling for them when anything he had spoken of seemed to be left in any degree of uncertainty. i 'f i From what has already been stated, it will be seen that Pro- fessor Campbell was called very early to the service of the State in conspicuous positions, and as he continued to fill them while health permitted, he was for much the larger part of his mature life, a Justice of the Supreme Court, and an instructor in the law, I s n in the University. In both ' t posi ions the service was eminently satisfactory to those he served. A model of judicial dignity and propriety, and won universal respect. He was always accessible and col his way to win public applause or to attract in any manner the commendation that did not come natur regular and customary discharge of the duties of his official place. He was modest and unassuming everywhere, and more inclined to avoid than to seek the public notice when duty did not make it imperative. But nowhere was the greatness of the man more con- spicuous than- in his family relations Th s a fudge his deportment was a irteous, but he never went out of ally and properly from the . ere was one place in which those who were to look to him for guidance and example were to 'witness no unbecoming conduct, no outbursts of passion, hear no profane and no foul words. He never made parade even of the facts of lifeamost worthy of respect and remembrance, but the decencies of life, in which I would include as among the first an avoidance of whatever is ' f - pro ane, weie so natural to him that contemplate the possibility of his des- cending to the use of profanit ture hall listened to his words an no one could for a moment y. Of the thousands who in the lec- d were instructed by him not-one 7 went away carrying with him the recollection of an unbecoming word.