The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-21
The late s. s. Prentiss.

At the opening of the District Court Of New
Orleans on the 18th instant, it being the first
meeting of the court since its adjournment in
July last, resolutions of the customary form in
relation to the death of the late SARGENT S.
PRESrIss, Esq, wore presented by the United
States District Attorney LOGAN HUNroN, Esq,
on which occasion he addressed the court as
follows:
MAY !. please the Court Since your adjournment
in July disting uished member Of the bar has ter
minated his earthly career-has been summoned
from this to higher tribunal; and, at meeting Of
the members Of the bar Of New Orleans the oc-
cason of his death, resolutions were adopted ex-
pressing regret and sorrow for his loss and adni-
ration for him as a man and lawyer
al have been requested TO present these resolu-
tons, and TO ask that they be inscribed on the
cords Of the court, which ! now do.
cit is not my purpose to pronounce eulogy on
Sargent s. Prentiss; neither the time nor the place
nor the occasion ia, in my judgment, appropriate
for such proceedings and regret that eIpecta.
tons have been excited that such purpose
tertained
"Undcr other circumstances il would give me
mournful pleasure 10 trace tho brilliant Of
that extraordinary man from the time when he ar
rived in Mississippi the poor, friendless stranger
boy, till the period Of his death-to delineate his
characterize tell how, at single leap, he bounded
from obscurty to renown from the very foot to the
topmost round Of the ladder Of fsme and To show
how, by biz indomitable spirit and mighty mind,
he was enabled to maintain, against all competi
tors, that proud position suddenly yet honors
bly, won.
ellis life Of constant struggles and Of
ton. lie was always engaged in the heat and dust
Of professional political efforts In these efforts
he perhaps sometimes INDUCED in unwsrrantable
invective and bit erness; yet believe all who knew
him will bear testimony with me, that, after the
element Of debate over, he had no memory for
any thing he had uttered against his adversary; he
bore malice; indeed his breast filed with
the milk Of human kindness. he was generous to
his foes, faithful to bis fiends and devoted to his
clients; he made their cause his own.
"Fie had an ardent and fiery temperament, yet
there was a singular blsndness and amenity Of de-
pertinent about this remarkable man that won for
him the confidence md affection Of all who knew
him intimately.
"He came amongst us hore with reputation a
popular orator, almost uncquallcd in the south invest
his fame a advocate had extended all over the
Republic !; hi, claims, however, to high rank ss a
lawyer we're questioned and contested. yet he very
soon gave unerrng proofs that he was not only the
brilliant advocate, but was sound, acute, and dis
eliminating lawyer. His reputation as such was
advancing with steady progress; he was widening
and deepening the POUNDS tons Of bis legal learn
ing Rich imaginative faculties, with high intolec-
tual endowments ola cold order, were united in the
mind Of Mr.. Prentss in a higher degree than
have ever known in any other
"Of his social qualities. HE sparkling wit, his
humor, his unohanging oheerfulno.s, forbesr to
speak. His eloquent voice will no more be heard
hi. bright face will no more be in these halls.
When such man dies, IL is meet and proper that
we pause for instant and take note Of the event.
therefore move that these resolutions be placed on
the enduring records Of the court"
Judge McCALEB ordered the resolutions TO
be so entered, aud he then delivered an elabo-
rate and beautiful eulogy on the deceased, for
which we regret our inability to find room at
present.