The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-07-08

many brilliant eosons we have all heard from Prentiss of
which there permanent record and which must pass
away with the memories of those who listened them.
Permit to aadeto occasion which many of you may
remember, and which illustrates this remark Some years
ago public meeting called al Dr. Clapp's Church. with
view to rase subscription procure statue Of Franklin,
70 be executed ny ne great Aueean artist Hiram Powers
Ihe secession called forth N The soqnence and stores
dilon OF Richard Henry Wilde then fresh from classic
scenes of Italian art Ii happened that Penss had Just ar
rived IN the city, without knowledge Of such meeting.
lie was dragged iuo the church by of his friends and
to avoid observation. took his side aisle As
Mr. Wilde had closed there cry for Preniss Prentiss
lie came forward, obviously surprised and embarrassed but
warming with the theme he advanced proceeded pour
forth TO aenchanted audience of the brilliant and
remarkable bursts Of eloquence, which, assert
ever fell from any individual suddenly and Unexpectedly
called on stranger would have supposed that he had
done nothing during his e but study the and the fin,
arts and was familiar with the best models. He exhibited
that occasion extraordinary familiarity with the poets
the arts and no would have supposed he had read
law book in his life And of that speech there remains
not the slightest vesge 1t could not indeed have been well
reported To have caught up its brilliant scnuatons would
have been difficult sketch the that shoot
through the sky Indeed may that it all the great and
brilliant thoughts that fell from Pens in popular and deli
berave assemblies in courts Of Justice, at cornwall parties
and in his social intercourse, could have been faithfully
ported by senographe it would form work truly Shakes
peTean There would be found beautifully blended the broad
humor and even nbay Of Faa the keen wit of Mercu-
no the subtety of Hamlet and the Overwhelming pathos
| Lear.
But, alas the wand of Prospero broken. We shall no
more hear the eloquent tones of his voice. admire the
speeous miracles produced by the inspiration of his genius
for he eed the only inspiration vouchsafed to man
these latter days We shall longer be permitted to laugh
over his mirh provoking wit be melted by his touches
true teensnor admire those rich which he threw
with such profuson from the exbauess of his magi
nation. Such IS the destiny OF all earthly things
" The handicapped towers, the gorgeous palaces
Yea, all which it inherit, shall Dissolve
| a nd, like this unsubstaniia faded
Leave not rack behind.
1t deeply to be amented, gentlemen that while through
prosuted press the penny literature of the day likely
engross the minds and OF the rising generation the
elevated and noble sentiments and the brilliant expressions of
such mind should be lost the world and have no per-
manent and tangible FORM
In conclusion, Mr.. Chairman move that committee be
appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of
the bar on this occasion.
The Chair then appointed the following gentle
men on said committee: Messrs. Billiard Ogden
and Larue, who retired and afterwards reported the
following resolutions:
The committee appointed at public meeting of the Bench
and bar OF New Orleans prepare resolutions expressive of
their feelings the melancholy the death of the
Hon. Sargeaut :. Prents respectfully report
That this sudden and amenabe event has covered the
whole community with gloom and is general calamity and
public bereavement That the ustr deceased although
fed with u.s. and was Of Us and we mourn him rs last and
loved and honored bother-and that feeling it due alike his
peetinnl tribute 70 his memory, We resolve
Ihat the Bench and the Bar Of New Orleans and the
whole legal profession have sustained great and an rrepar
Die loss IN the death Of their amenled brother Hon sar-
geant s. PrentIss.
That his urbany of department. his generosity of dspo
s0n. MS ehdlke simplicity of manners his genial blindness
endeared him to all who knew him. and made them FORGET ia
that intercourse The towering which often com.
IN led their admiration.
3 Thai as forensic orator he unryaed in the versa
unity OF hs powers IN the richness and vgor of his fancy
the range and readiness OF his usaons, in his wit and
humor and pathos and in combination with these bril-
liant CUTS oil remarkable OF logical anay and legal
acumen.
That although he came to this State in the maturity of
his tame advocate from which system of law
totally differing from prevailed, and subjected himself
70 an ordeal Always dangerous and often taal TO disng
ions, his brethren competitors take pleasure and
pride in bearing our testimony his and distng
success IN fechng at very early period station in
rank OF the profession here and in dong full Justice TO The ex
| pectatlons created by his former brilliant career
o. Ihat II would be unjust speak Of him only as lawyer
am that profession winch has at all furnished the fore
most champions OF free and liberal principles may justly be
fearless advocate OF what he deemed the right ana mat In
lines OF great poet TO whom he bore remarkable intellectual
with singular truth be applied:
His elouuence Frightening whatever it tried
Whether reason or fancy, the gay or the grave;
Was as rapid, and deen, and brilliant tide,
AS ever bore Trees ON alOl wAve.''
That the Attorney General be requested presenta copy
OF the proceedings OF tins meeting the Supreme Court
the opening oil the term and mOYe on beha of he 6ar
that they be spread upon inc minutes OF the court.
That committee of five be appointed hy The Chair to
transmit copy OF these proceedings the widow of the de-
ceased and express in suitable terms deep and respectful
sympathy and coincidence.
The following committee was then appointed to
communicate copy of said resolutions with a let
ter of coincidence to the wife of Mr.. Prentiss, viz
Messrs A. N. Ogden, J. P. Benjamin. w. w.
King, E. A. Bradford and w. L. Poindexter.
1t was then moved in respect to the memory OF
the deceased that the members of the bar wear the
usual badge OF mourning for thirty days
| The meeting then adjourned.