New-York daily tribune., 1843-12-20


on the Committees for me coming year, see that
you DO you, duty tongh, by taking part il tie
meetings in YOUR respective Wards,
DeA7u o. JcDos TaoNrsoN.--Ich.s d;stin-
puished Judge died last evening at bis residence
in puughkeeYsie His last hours were without
suffering and his loath remarkably tranquil. On
the snnouucempn. of the news in the city the
Courts immedctely adjourned. The following is
a brief sketch OF hs life.
Ia 1892 Judge Thompson, then young man.
vas appointed Judge Of the supreme Court Of
New.Yofk. during the administration Of Gov
George Clinton. He occnpied a seat there ! Z
years, ard during that time, ;9ith Kent, Lining
s,on, Spencer, Van Ness, and Pat, contributed
his share 10 make he Jadiciery OF New York IL
lustrious. In 1914, when Chief Justice Kent be.
came Chancellor Kent, Judge Thompson was
placed at the head OF the Court and when We say
that with Ken. for his immediate predecessor and
Spencer for his successor, his reputation did not
suffer by his elevation, we give HIM great praise.
In 1913 President Monroe appointed him Sccrc
tary Of the Navy to succeed Mr. Crownlnshield,
and III that station he was associated with Hcssrs
Adams, Crawford, Calhoun, and Wlrt as the con-
etitutional advisers Of the President.
In 1923 he resigned his place IN the Cabinet,
and was elevated to seat on the bench of the
Supreme Court OF the United States, as the sue
cessor of Judge Livingston, deceased. On that
bench for long period of years he was worthily
associated with Judges Marshal, and Washington,
and Story, and took an active and able part IN
the settling Of those great principles which have
been discussed by that Court for twenty years past
In 1925 he was an unsuccessful candidate for
Governor Of the State Of New. York in oppo.
sition to Mr.. Van Buren and Solomon Southwick,
when Mr.. Van Buren was elected by plurality
vote.
Judge Thompson was a Democrat In the sense
in which that term was understood till the Demo
cratic party, to which he had always belonged,
adopted the principles Of high prerogatlve and
etrong executive Government which alleneted SO
many eminent Democrats, and finally over.
whelmed the party in lS40 as similar principles
had ruined the Federal party in 1900.
During an unusually long public career 1t was
HE distinguished privilege always to ha7e been
one among men of remarkable ability in their
eminent stations, and to have enjoyed reputa-
ton free from suspicion
He was a man OF the simplest and least pre-.
tending manners, and hs unaesumlng dignity ol
department was in perfect keeping with the Done
chasteness and freedom from ornament-thc
quiet firmnesa and love of justice which charac
terizod him. His prompt s:rashttorwardnessw was
sometimes mistaken for rudene,s by those who
did not know him to be really and truly kind
hearted gentleman.
There are various surmises already about
the City Hall as to who will be appointed to Ill
the vacancy on the Bench OF the Supreme Court.
Among the most prominent Of The names we have
heard mentioned are those OF His Honor Judge
Brrrs, of the District Court, JonN c. SPENCER
and Judge TALLMAooe. The latter gentleman,
late highly distinguished Judge on the Bench
OF the Superior Court of thi. City, is said to DO
on terms of personal intimacy with the President,
and his appointment. would not be unexpected.
We have also heard DANIEL WEBSTER, GEO.
WOOD and Hon. GREEN c, BsoNsoN named
John Sargent OF Philadephia is also spoken OF, a
gentleman every way qualified for the station but
the man whom we Would suggest, is the Hon.
GuLlAN c. VEKrLANcE of this city, gentleman
not only OF eminent lega! and literary acquire
nents, but with character pure and unblem.
ished, a mind trained close and accurate
thought. careful and industrious in the pvestiga
ton OF al abstract and intricate ruths-hc wouio
at once bling to the dscharg Of his duties as ons