A faithful and fearless discharge of whatever he found to do in the path of duty was another prominent trait in the character of the Judge. He never asked what interest or policy might dictate, but what truth and justice required; and the latter he resolutely performed, "uncaring consequences." I might mention many instances of his braving popular prejudices, and incurring for a time popular odium, in doing what an enlightened conscience told him he ought to do. A memorable instance is presented in his appearing as counsel for Lord Granville in the famous suits which he instituted in this State after the Revolutionary war. A course, which all would now acknowledge to be right, then very sensibly affected his popularity for many years. He was at that time a young man, and it required no little of the force of conscious rectitude to enable him to stem the torrent of prejudice which ran so strong against him.
Another eminent quality which illustrated the whole life of Judge Gaston was the constant love of order and a devoted and almost sacred regard for the Constitution and laws of his country. In all his precepts, wheresoever and to whomsoever uttered, in all his conduct, whether in public or in private, he inculcated and enforced obedience to the law, observance of order, and the support and maintenance of our fundamental institutions in all their integrity. His views and opinions upon this subject are expressed in an address which he delivered at Princeton in September, 1835, before the "American Whig" and "Cliosophic" Societies of the College of New Jersey. It is difficult to find anywhere, within the same compass, the duties of an American citizen, in relation to the laws and institutions of his country, so clearly expressed and so powerfully enforced. The address was much admired at the time, and received on two occasions a compliment of which any man might be justly proud. In a charge to the grand jury of his Court, Chief Justice Cranch, of the District of Columbia, read several pages from the address, accompanied by remarks of the highest commendation. And shortly afterwards, Governor Vance, of Ohio, on an occasion so solemn as his inauguration, quoted largely from it, after speaking in the most flattering terms of the author, as one of the most eminent statesmen and profound jurists of our country.
If the qualities which we have considered excite our admiration and command our respect, that to which I would now call your attention is well calculated to inspire love and win affection. I mean his kind regard for the young. To them he was ever accessible, kind and communicative; always ready to give advice, or to impart instruction. Among them it was his delight to unbend, after the severity of his official labors, and to engage in their innocent amusements. Often have I seen him in such moments of relaxation; and as I saw, I could but admire and love a wisdom which, while it could instruct senates, disdained not the sports of the young, nor even the frolics of infancy; which, while it could one moment expound the gravest of laws, could the moment after explain an apothegm for the instruction of youth, or solve a riddle for the amusement of childhood. His regard for the young extended from the earliest to the latest period of that time of life. For those just approaching the verge of manhood he has often given signal proofs of his solicitude. In 1832 he was invited to deliver an address before the two Literary Societies of this institution, and in 1835 he received an invitation to perform a similar duty before the Societies of Princeton College in New Jersey. In both instances, though at much personal inconvenience, he complied with the request, and delivered the addresses to which I have had occasion to allude. On the merit of these productions the public has already decided. It remains only for me to say that no young man can read them, as they ought to be read, with care and attention, without profit and advantage; and the best return I can make for your kindness to me on this occasion is to advise each of you to procure copies of them, and to "attend to their admonitions, treasure up their counsels and obey their injunctions."
From what I have already said, you have doubtless anticipated my account of the character of Judge Gaston in private and domestic life. A kind master, a fond father, a true friend, a most amusing and instructive companion, he made the social intercourse of life a source at once of pleasure and profit. None could make the grave remark, none could tell the laughable anecdote, better than he. An evening spent among his friends always left them in doubt whether to admire most the extent of his information, the depth of his erudition, the variety of his powers, or the easy, cheerful, instructive flow of his conversation.
It can hardly be necessary for me to say that Judge Gaston was always a zealous and enlightened friend to the cause of education. His great services to the University as a guardian and benefactor for more than forty years have been very justly and appropriately acknowledged in the resolutions recently adopted. He was appointed a trustee of the University in the year 1802, and was at the time of his death, with the exception of Judge Potter, the oldest member of the board.
The crowning glory of Judge Gaston's character remains yet to be spoken of. He was a firm believer in the superintending Providence of an All-wise and an Almighty Being, and in the truths of Revelation. The principles of the Christian religion were deeply impressed upon his infant mind by the devoted piety of his excellent mother; and they were never forgotten and never departed from. An abiding faith in them was a staff to his hand and a lamp to his feet. It sustained, guided, and animated him through life, and in the hour of death it did not desert him. The last sentence he uttered recognized its truth and its consolations. Yes, this elegant scholar, this accomplished orator, this eminent statesman, this profound jurist, was an humble follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. He thought it no scorn to bow at the footstool—he felt it no degradation to take upon him the yoke of a Saviour. And when his last hour came, we cannot doubt that the parting soul counted all—fame, reputation, worldly pleasures, worldly honors—as but dross, in comparison with that faith, upon whose wings it was upborne to the bright realms of glory.
Such, my young friends, was the great and good man whose life and character I have attempted to portray. I cannot take upon myself to say that he was faultless: since the memorable declaration of the incarnate Son of God, that "there is none good save one, that is God," it would be impious for me to do so; but whatever might have been his frailties, he had such great virtues, such noble qualities, there was such a harmony in his character, such a beauty in his life, that I can conscientiously propose him for your study, and recommend him for your imitation. Go then, and like him, perform fully, faithfully, fearlessly, your duty to yourselves, your families, your country and your God; and then, like him, you will be honored in your lives, and when you come to die, a nation's tears will hallow your graves.