Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-18

But public officer, legislator, Judge, patriot,
all become absorbed in brighter and more ex-
alted character as he approaches that narrow
stream which flows round the world and divides
things temporal from ihings eternal No proper
estimate car be placed on the life of man until
the manner of his death is known. Judge Hunt
ington had for years been slowly yielding to the
advancing foe whose approaches none can resist
His mind was naturally inclined 10 the investiga-
ton of religious questions. In the close intimacy
with which he honOred me, often heard him
dwell for hours on the great mysteries which
gather around the grave. The future world
and his relation to il was practical question to
his practical mind He met il as he net every
other requirement of his situation. He looked
il plainly and fearlessly in the face, and
spoke of 1t calmly. He earnestly sought in
every way to discover his duty, with the full de-
termination TO do IT, Some doubts there were.
that occasionally obscured his belief in future
state of existence but they were floating clouds
before the face of the sun. passing rapidly away,
and succeeded by brilliant light He dwelt upon
the inspired pages of revelation with all the
pleasure of great mind and an elevated heart
He examined, studied long, and anxiously for
the pathway of duty in regard to open profess
sion Of religion. He at last reposeed his
head with the humility of a child on the bosom of
that Church which comes down to us from Apos
tolc days, and has survived the shocks and TEN
pests of more than eighteen hundred years. He
died with the blessed embems of Calvary on his
lips, and by Christians %eath gave evidence to
the world of well finished life.
''Nor e'er was to the bowers Of bliss conveyed
fairer spirit, more welcome shade.''
MAY IT PLEASE THE CouRT: There is much in
the life, the character and death of Judge Hunt
iDgton to give US useful reflection. His example
will not be lost. 1t is part of the history of
the State, and will be cherished by all who be
lieve that well spent life is a portion of the
public honor. His death. in the prime of his
manhood. is full, too. of matter for solemn and
profitable thought. Death has been busy, very
busy, with this Court within a few short wears
For three years, the happiest of my life, / stood
in official connection with this Court--the At
torney for the Government. The learned, the
kind, the paternal Judge Mclean was here His
memory dwelt among the tall spirits of otherdays.
and l revered him as if he had brought an
Odor of sanctity with him from former genera
tions. And who will not pardon me for a mo-
ment's thought on this occasion given to my
friend. who was also an officer for many years of
this Court, the brave, kind hearted, warm and
generous Robinson. They are all gone This
Courtroom is craped in mourning to my eyes.
GU and L, Mr., Clerk, alone remain of that once
genial and happy circle. Others have taken
their places and the succession Is clothed with
dignity, ability and honor; but who can fail in the
presence of these visitations of death to pause
and pay the tribute of tear to the memory and
virtues of those who were here but yesterday. We
should be admOnlshed, too, OF. the aeeting evan
escent nature of life. Our stay is but for an
hour, and then comes the great change How
poor and painful the strife the bitterness and the
passions of the day seem when we bring them
close to the tomb And we walk by its open
mouth every step of our existence.
Leaves have their time to fall
And flowers to wither at the north winds breath
And stars TO Set-but all,
Thou hast al seasons for thine own, Death!''
Ny duty is accomplished have announced
to this Court the death of its late presiding Off
Ger. and dwelt feebly and imperfecty on the lead
ing elements of his character and some of the
prominent incidents of his life. Much more
might say. The social circle. the domestic fire.
side. the altar of private friendship, all render to
his memory the dearest, the tenderest tributes of
love that were ever laid evergreen garands on
the grave of the beloved dead But will not
draw aside the veil which makes that portion of
life so sacred 1t belongs to the cherished few
to whom his heart was opened with all its wealth
of affection.
just and learned Judge, enlightened Patriot
devoted Christian, kind friend courteous gentle
man, FAREWELL Sacred b. thy memory, aad
peaceful and sweet be thy slumbers
/ am directed by the bar of this Court to move
the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, The Bar of this Court have with
profound sorrow, learned that Hon E. NJ Hunt
ington, late Judge of the United States Court
for the District Of Indiana, on The 26th day of
October, 1862, departed this life; therefore, to in
dicate the esteem in which we held him while
living and the respect and veneration in which
we hold his memory,
ReSOtUed, That the many virtues which adorn-
ed the character of the Hon. Elisha NJ Hunting
ton, and which, during period of over twenty
years. shUne conspicuously in his course as Judge
OF the United States District Court for Indiana,
have endeared his memory to US and made for
him an enduring monument as an able and upright
Judge, a courteous and accomplished gentleman,
and sincere and disinterested friend
ResOtred. That his death is a public calamity
in which the Bench loses one of its brightest or
naments and most honorable examples of impair
tiality, irmness. patience. learning sagacity, and
susvity of department; the Bar one of its most
warmly cherished professional brethren, and the
whole country an exalted patriot and useful
citizen.
ResOlUed, That in testimony of our grief for
the public and private bereavement in his death,
we will wear Grape upon the left arm for period
of thirty days. that these resolutions be presented
to the Court now in session by hon d. W Voor-
hees, with request that they be made of record; !;
and that copy be transmitted to his family un-
der the seal of said Court
ROBERT G. GREGORY, Chairman
JNo. II. REA, Secretary.
To the above resolutions Judge Smith replied:
The Court fully sympathizes with the Bar in
their regrets for the death of Judge Huntingdon
and most cordially unite in the tribute of respect
to his memory. which has been so eloquently ex-
pressed. Ny acquaintance with Judge Hunting.
ton commenced about thirty years ago, when we
met as members of the House of Representatives
from different parts of the State. That acquaint-
ance ripened into personal friendship, which
continued until his death. At the time of our
first acquaintance, he occupied a high stand
ing among the rising young men of the
State. He filed several important offices under
the State Government, in all of which he so ac-
quilted himself as to command the respect and
esteem of the country.
He occupied the position of Commissioner of
the General Land Office under the Federal Gov
ernment long enough to establish bis character
with all connected with that Office as clear
headed and energetic business man, and an accom-
plished gentleman. From that Office he was
transferred to seat upon the Bench of this
Court, which he continued to occupy until the
termination of his life.
During period OF more than twenty years he
discharged the duties of District Judge in such a
manner as to command the confidence Of the
community and the respect end esteem of the bar.
The judicial course of Judge Huntington consti-
tutes the principal feature of his public life. In
that career he was eminently successful. The
scales of Justice were held by him with a firm
and even hand, and the principles Of justice as
well as of law were applied by him with discrim-
ination and a matured judgment. His mind was
eminently practical and he possessed a very
large share of that mental quality which is de-
nominated sound practical common sense. Rea-
soning from general principles, and possessing an