Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-04-02
MYROy III. ORION.

MYRoN H. ORION died at Madison
March 10th. The following day tho
Dane County Bar held meeting, where
many an eloquent tribute was paid to
the genius and noble qualities of the de-
parted. We select one speech, that of j..
G. FORD, esd
Mr.. CuArRMAx: I rise to announce the
death of Myron II. Orion. esq. winch took
place at his residence, in this city, yesterday
morning He died easily, and apparently
without pain. in full possession OF all ms lac
ulties up to the last moment. The change
was so gentle that it seemed but sleeping
and forgetting.
The deceased was born in Madison county,
N Y, in the wear 1910. At the early age OF
II. he emigrated to the then young st'le 81
Ohio. where. by his own unaided energies he
obtained a collegiate education, and, after a
thorough reading of the common law, was al
mitted to practice at the bar. at Summit, ONO
He spent few wears in the practice OF ms
profession at that place. and then removed TO
La Porte, IndiaF a, where he spent the pflncl-
pal portion Of his professional lie. In 1910
re moved to Milwaukee, in this state. and IN
1853 came to this place. His political life ex-
tends for nearly period OF 70 years. y
member of the Legislature OF the state OF IN
diana, vice presidential eleetor, once III me
Harrison campaign in 1910. and once IN the
POLITICAL contest of 1852, and lastly district
attorney of Dane county. He Was. sir. an
old whig, when to be one of the popular Lead
ers of that party was an honor worthy the
ambition of a CLAY. Prentiss. and " eb-
ster. He was personally acquainted with the
most of those men, and himself was one OF the
most popular speakers of the state.
But, sir, popular as he was before the mas
ses his real life was not in politics, but IN TINS
profession of the law AS an advocate before
a petit jury. he was pre-emlnent. Here was
his home Here his life came out. He swept
the heart-strngs as did King David those OF
his lvre. At one time as tender and pathetic
as Dickens and before you know it, almost,
down comes the house, court, jury, and BY
SANDERS with some inimitable Ortonlsm.
But, sir we as members of this bar, know
Mr. Orion in a better sense to us. W know
him as the honest lawyer-the courteous and
obliging brother in the profession-scornlng
the lit enesses and petty dishonestles winch IL
is so easy to work under the forms OF law
and with show of fairness. We know hlm
as the broad and liberal minded mana gen.
uine Western product, with all its peculiari-
ties and all its excelcncies. He was an lnd'-
ana lawyer, when that term meant something
of strength and individuality.
We know him, sir, also. as an Unborn poet.
His familiarity wit., and exquisite apprecla-
ton of. William Shakespeare evidence 1t:
And. sir, think that if, in the country beyond
this river of death. he has IL. privilege OF
choosing his location and companions. he VIII
not rost till he sought tha' Great Master. and
placed himself at his feet. And, sir, if he
has the privilege, | am sure he will rccite to
him passages from Richard the Third. i'll such
a manner as will open to the great Dramatlst
surprising evidences OF his own great genius.
But, sir our brother has gone. Tomorrow.
or hearts 90 With him into his cold grave !;
and there they will remain. Yesterday. sir,
understood that he was dying, and called to
see him. His physicians had just announced
TO him the fact. He received the momentous
news with entire composure. and apparent
contentment. The grim messenger was then
in his chamber, reckoning him with his ske-
eton finger. He looked him fully and fairly
in the face. and as he turned to follow him,
couragcously and chcerfullv, he said to me,
d" Orion never yet was a coward" No, sir,
he was no coward. He has gone before that
Bar of that august Copit, before which we
must all soon appear. l trust that Mercy
stood there by his side, pleading for him in
extenuation of his delinquencies. And l
hope, sir that when are are called to obey the
ufeau summons, we may DC dDie W obtf st7
couragoously and cheelfully as he did.
In the resolutions passed by the meet
ing, We find the following pathetic inyo
cation -
"Ob. mother Earth, upon thy lap
Thy weary ones receiving,
And DER them, silent as dream,
Thy grassy mantle weaving;
Fold gently in thy long embrace
That heart so worn and broken.
And cool its pulse of fire beneath
Thy shad ows old and oaken."