The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-07-21
Death of Rufus Choate.

Death OF ku1US CnOate.
Our readers will share with Us the melancholy
surprise occasioned by the telegram from Boston,
announcing the death of Rufus Choate at Hall
fax on Wednesday morning, 18th inst. 1t is
generally known that Mr.. Choate lately sailed
for Europe, in the hope of reganing his health,
which for some time past has been seriously i'm
paired as was supposed by too close application
to professional labors Owing however to the
unfavorabe indications in the first part of the
voyage, he landed at Halifax, with the purpose
of returning home at an early day but the adj
vices received from him, while they were of ma
ture to cause anxiety, did not lead to the expec-
tation of fatal result at SO early period. At
the time ofwriting we have no particulars be-
yond the mere announcement Of his death.
Mr.. Choate was one of the foremost men in
this country, and in his proper sphere had no
equal in New England, and but few in the
Union. His life, with the powerful abilities
which he possessed, has been devoted to the
legal profession; and although he has occasion
ally turned aside to engage in public affairs it
has been for brief periods only. Educated for
the Bar, he has, unlike many able lawyers, con-
fined himself with slight exceptions to the pro-
feSsion which he had chosen, and has exempli6ed
by brilliant career, what an American lawyer
can achieve by close and steady application to
legal pursuits.
The date of Mr.. Choate's birth was October
lst, 1893; and he was therefore in the Goth year
of his age at the time of his DEATH He gradua-
ted at Dartmouth, with the highest honors, in
1919; continued in the College as tutor one
year, then entered the law school at Cambridge,
afterwards studied year at Washington with
VIM. Wist, and completed his studies at Salem,
Mass, in his native county of Essex. He COM
menced the practice of his profession at Danvers,
afterwards removed to Salem, and speedily OBJ
tanned prominent position at the bar. From
this period his career has been one of undertaking
success, and for many years, especially since his
removal to Boston in 1924, he has been regarded
as one of the first Of American lawyers.
The public life Of Mr.. Choate has been such
as would be quite satisfactory to even the warm
est aspirants for public honors. although with
him quite subordinate to the more congenial labors
of his profession. He served in the earlier part
of his career, in both Houses of the Massachu-
sets Legislature in 1882 was elected from his
native county to Congress, in which body he
served single term and declined a reelection
in 1841 was chosen U. S. Senator in place of
Daniel Webster, who at that time entered the
Cabinet of President Harrison, and served as SEN
ator to the close of the term in 1845, when he
retired from public life. Since the last mention
ed period, the energies of his mature and cult
waited mind have been devoted to his profession,
his legal practice being limited only by the ply
steal powers which he could bring to his la
borS
Jealous and earnest in the preparation and
management of causes, and possessing powers of
eloquence and of oratory which although pecu-
liar and perhaps eccentric, have been equaled by
very few advocates or statesmen in the country,
his career was one of surprising brilliancy, and
worthy of the emulation of young members of the
legal profession.
HI poAClCS, huluS CnOaCe was through lie a
Whig," unless his declaration for Mr.. Buchan-
an for the Presidency in 1856, renders it proper
from that time to class him with the Democratic
party. We do not however understand that he
was fully committed to the doctrines of the Demo-
cratic platform, but thoroughly national and
patriotic in his opinions, he was compelled, as a
prominent public man. to choose between the
leading parties in 1856, and unhesitatingly gave
his support to the Democratic ticket, and made
powerful speech in favor of Mr.. Buchanan's
election. Since that period, like Everett, Win
throp, Billiard and other old Wings of Massachu-
sets, ne has steadily refused to countenance any
sectional party, and generally kept aloof from
political affairs.
Such, in brief, is the biography of one of the
most accomplished men of our times: one who
has well fulfilled his mission altbongh removed
from among US at aperiod when his friends had
hoped for many more years of usefulness. But
the ways of Providence are inscrutable and for
reasons which are beyond human comprehension
The country will deplore his loss, and cherish
with grateful recollection his memory