d and
Terry tragedy that seems to me is worthy of more emphatic
comment than it has yet received. I mean the fact that Judge
Field had about his person no weapon of defense whatever,
though he knew that this miserable villain was dogging his
steps for the purpose of assaulting him, perhaps of taking his
life. His brother, Mr. Cyrus W. Field, says:

"It was common talk in the East here, among my brother's
friends, that Terry's threats to do him bodily harm were
made with the full intent to follow them up. Terry threatened
openly to shoot the Justice, and we, who knew him, were
convinced he would certainly do it if he ever got a chance.

"I endeavored to dissuade my brother from making the trip West
this year, but to no purpose, and he said, 'I have a duty to
perform there, and this sort of thing can't frighten me away.
I know Terry will do me harm if he gets a chance, and as I
shall be in California some time, he will have chances enough.
Let him take them.'

"When urged to arm himself he made the same reply. He said
that when it came to such a pass in this country that judges
find it necessary to go armed, it will be time to close the
courts themselves."

This was a manly and noble reply and must recall to many
minds that familiar sentiment: "He is thrice armed who has his
quarrel just." With the daily and hourly knowledge that this
assassin was ever upon his track, this brave judge goes about
his duty and scorns to take to himself the defenses of a bully
or a brigand; and in doing so, how immeasurably has he placed
himself above the vile creature that sought his life, and all
others who resort to deeds of violence. "They that take
the sword shall perish with the sword," is a saying of wide
application, and had it been so in this case; had this brave
and self-possessed man been moved from his high purpose by the
importunity of friends, and when slain by his enemy, had been
found armed in like manner with the murderer himself, what
a stain would it have been upon his name and honor? And how
would our whole country have been disgraced in the eyes of the
civilized world, that her highest ministers of justice must be
armed as highwaymen as they go about their daily duties!

Well said this undaunted servant of the state: "Then will it
be time to close the cour