New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-13
Eulogy on Chancellor Kent.

and disciples Of the Bar. large number OF the le-
gal profession Of this and neighboring cities, and
many eslneni citizens Of other professions assembled 81
the T.bernscle last evening to hear euogy the life
Of the late ExChsnceior. attracted no less
by desire 10 NANTES, their profound regard for the se
ceased by the certainty Of hearing GRAFTON alike
honorable 70 The suhor ard 20 the subject air pro
portion Of the audience composed Of that softer sax
to the profession ans the practice OF the law afford
as little attraction protection bat who Justly judged
iha. this occasion would az I'd them Instruction and plea
sure, if It be called pleasure to dwell uPon the loss
Of 50 grea. and coed a man.
Alta quarter before eight the judges OF Cy Courts
took their the platform. when Chief Justice
JssEs called the Assembly order and introduced Jadge
DUR, the Orator ofthe evening. who said that
He appeared without feeling OF soliciiuie TO
spond the duty expected Of him. and that II bis DIS
course should fall far short justice TO the eminent char
acier II the subject II Il should fail 10 convey any ust
iea Of him whose deceAse bad called It FORTH II did not
arise either from indifference neglect He had felt
common interest the subject and trusted that bis Effort
would prove truth Of the assertions bat should sve
merely an imperfect estimate Of the surprising merits Of
the lusrious Chancellor be trusted his hearers would
supply from their FEELINGS the apparent deficiency
His object was to place before rs hearers simple nara
live Of the LIE and principal lssors Of JAMES KNIT. with
such comments a. the dei. night susges'. He should
depart from the usual course ofeulogy. far as to
fod the uarrstive relate the Incidents and leave his
hearers 20 form such estimate OF the character their
own judgment should dictate.
JAMES KENT was born July 3D. 1868. In town
IN Dutehess (now in Patnam) County in this S,sie.
He was the eldest Of parents comfortable e!rcum
stances. His fsiher and grandfather successfully
graduates ofYae College; his father member Of the
Bar and for some years Surrogate Of Columbia County.
dying AZ the ripe age 81 years II not his intention
10 enter Into minute detail Of the early Of the
chancellor the reason among others, that he did not
feel at liberty oinfnge upon the province Of the bogra
pher memoir being in progress which would proba
bly, soon be given TO the world by distinguished
for his talents than for his hlls devotion He SHOULD
therefore conhne himself to the prominent features
Of the subject
Upon the banks Of beautiful which have made
peculiarly our own-ihe nmpd Cro,on-the boy imoibed
mat love OF the works Of nature which became promi
nen feature IN his character and remained undimnished
b the day Of bis death. He remembered late occasion,
when sitting with Judge KENT In the window OF his
library watching the OF the fountain eaplng I'm
the sunbeams like beautiful spirit. he broke forth
In rhapsody Of delightful recouectons n his romantic
birthplace by the springs Of that sparkling water which
he viewed with such admiration 1t carried him back 10 his
infancy; boyhood youth manhood all present
his mind upon each period Of Which he could dwell
with deyout thsnkfnlnes5 and pride.
At the age Of five years young KENT was placed at
school at NOrwak, Conn. residing In the family Of his
maternal grandfather. AT MAE he sent 10 school In
Rawlings Duichess Co. and the following year placed
der the chargeOf Rev Mf. Baldwin. Latin tutor. In
III he entered the Freshman Glass Of Yale College where
he dspsyed mach Of that arior and perseverance which
he mbbed from daily practice aud teachings Of bis
parents In the COLLEGE and he quickly attained
high rank net combining his studies 20 the st
College rules but storing his mind with more ex
tended reading In July 779, the e1gences OF the war
broke up the College and dispersed the students.
aud soon sferward young KENT met with Rlackaone's
mmsniaries which revealed MS true course and deter
mined him NJ once 10 turn his mind 10 helaw. In isl
he graduated with the degree Of A. H. and went 10 Pough
keepsie rs a clerk In the ONCE Of Egtert Benson. Mr.
DuEx digresed 10 pay beautiful tribute 10 the memory
Of Ebert Bensnn whom he CHARACTERIZED &c the az COM
panion OF Washington and Jay Under these auspices
Young KENT introduced 70 the world and rapid
his progress that his former master was soon his associate
and friend IL is matter OF regret that the particular
course Of study which produced such surprising results Is
no, known We know, however, that his course not
limited 10 the dry details OF lAw he was early impressed
with the truth that thoroughly understand aw he mus
become acou -ned with thuse great principles Of nature
and morality which Gre the foundation OF ali law. Hence
he mastered the voumnous Grouus and his swecsh COM
nentstor reading this and other standard works pen in
band. netting and commenting upon whsever was most
worthy Of his attention.
His personal habits In exact conformance 10 that
higher nature which he sirove to obey All vices he he'd
I'm objection the nppanty conceal under
the term dissp aion were unknown to him 80 alb
temous ne in this particular that he was excluded
from much Of the oyia society Of the world bat this
exclusion was more than compensated by his study Of
nature, Of which he would never tire
At the January term, 7s5. hs was admitted TO the Bar
Of supreme Court Of this State and soon after re-
turned 10 MS native but the solitude OF the place
did not please him and he went back 70 Poughkeep-e,
where he the partner OF Gabert Livingston ESQ
In April l7s9, he WAS married-marred, as the world
would saw impu1ently for he had nothing but his learn
oa Ia
dorry than her personal eh.rms-very poor they WERE
indeed very rich In pure love and hopeful trust 10
Providence. (ApplAuse Let the world tax as II may,
II Is 10 such marriages that the blessing Of Heaven
given.
Ia 1887 he became counselor in the Supreme Court,
when ne found the duties be would be called upon 10
perform required better acquaintance sith classic Ian
guases than had attained. Greek and Latin mas
tered with Incredible facility by perseverance, and udiei
Gus division Of time. Two hours OF the early morning ne
devoted Latin. two hours 10 Greek AFTER breakfast his
duties hours OF the afternoon 10 French,
and the evening to the society OF his friends and the peru
sal OF standard prose and poetical writer's Of our own
tongue.
famous state Convention the question of adopting The
FEDERAL Constitution. and KENT became daily listener
to the exciting debates Of that body rendered the more
ia erestpg and important the fate Of the Union seemed
10 depend upon the issue large majority at nrsi
oooosed the Constitution snd became the chief object
OF Alex andsr Hamilton 10 chsngs this msj )ry and
he successful In OF the mishtsst objects tna ever
patriotism and uaDsccidcnt eifQleDce achieved
,ppanss) II Is not improper al this day, removed as
We are from all the PREJUDICE then existing, 10 aeknow
edge that by this act greatest orator oec.ms-nexi q
wsshngion-ihs greatest benefactor Of his country.
This effort q HsmiitOns regarded by young KENT
with veneratIon and sank deep In MS mind He sec4ne
Fedsrsst and 10 this he gloed 10 the very last
day Of his life. Hamilton became acquainted With young
KENT encouraged him In his studies specially in French
ana literature snd remained his fast friend until the
noarrfal event which closed bis career and plunged q
nation In grief
la Apri 1890 and again In l7yI, KENT vas elected TO
the Assembly from Datehess County, and became
soicuous by moving the impeachment Of the State Can
yassers " no had destroyed the entire vote OF county
uus placing minority candidate la the Executive chair
Not satisfied this he also wrote several pamphlets
and newspaper articles to expose and denonncs the acts
be condemned.
Ia April 1898. be vas nonllna.ei for Congress, cut
failed OF an election This made sharp inpressoa upon
nj, mind and want Of business In his profession and the
loss Of favore child supersdded bore down MS spirit
Almost % dependency.
In December 7s3 he appointed Professor OF Law IN
Columbia College and during the Winter delivered course
OF lectures on Common Law 10 these he maintained the
proprety Of independent judiciary who might revise
and declare upon Of the Legislature holding ihai oy
I'M. ssu. only cond the rights VI the minority be pro-
iected Upon this subject, said Judge Duer, have no
night 10 dwell bot II the Independence Of The judiciary re
necessary TO the protection Of the rights VI the people, u
becomes question whether have not nov an innoys-
ton nv which the safeguarfs once enjoyed wholly