The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-22
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Among those who have paid tribute to
the memory Of the late John Van Buren, Is
Judge Edmonds, who presided at the anti
rent trials In New York some years ago
when Mr.. Van Buren, was Commonwealth
attorney las wo call IT, Judge Edmonds,
to illustrate the magninimity Of Mr.. Van
Buren,, tells the following anecdote:
While the trial was in progress the op.
posing counsel called Mr.. Van Buren, a
liar. When he was thus grossly insulted,
with the greatest GOODNESS 10 the world he
looked around at the counsel who sat be-
hind him, and then raising his elbow, with
ont turning, struck his adversary in the
face. They then rose and placed them
selves in an attitude Of hostility to each
other in the court. The Judge (who had
been invited to dine with Mr.. Van Burens
father, 1t must here be mentioned) ordered
both to Jail for twenty -four hours. Mr..
Van Buren, begged to be fined $500 and
not imprisoned. But the Judge was in
exorable.
The next morning, the twenty-four hours
having expired, they came out and walked
into court. Each took a seat at the table.
The trial continued until IL o'clock, when,
as those of them knew who had practised
in the county, the usual hour had come to
adjourn for Q short recess. Upto that time
no word had passed between either Of the
counsel and the presiding judge, except
what transpired in the course of the trial
before the audience. Then Mr.. Van Blu
rem, stepping up to the bench with that same
nonchalance, leaned on his arm, and in .
low tone of voice made the remark that he
chopped the court had slept well last
night" The Judge said, eyes, it was not
aware that anything had disturbed its
slumbers." 81 didn't know that its con-
science would, under the circumstances,
permit it." said he; and then he said,
"I suppose our agreement to visit the
old man is good 7" The visit was not made ;
it would not have done under the circum-
stances. The father subsequently told
the Judge that he appreciated the motives
that induced him not to make the visit, but
that he approved Of the action of the
Judge on that occasion. Not twenty-four
hours after the Judge was informed that in
consequence of what had occurred Mr.. Van
Buren, had rendered to the Governor his
resignation. The Judge Immediately wrote
to the Governor not to accept it, IS the
gentleman had been grossly insulted and
was bound to resent it, although it was q
violation of order and decorum in the
court. The Governor wrote back that he
should not accept the resignation. After
wards Mr.. Van Buren, replied to resOiu-
tons of a political club, sympathising with
him and censuring the Judge for not having
Disseminated between the two, that the
Judge did right; that his business was with
the disturbance in which both were actors.
To show the magnanimity thus exemplified
was what he had in view, the speaker said,
in relating the circumstance. Judge Ed
mOnds related other incidents Illustrative
Of The greatness of soul of their deceased
friend. Others might speak of his position
as a lawyer, as a politician, as an orator
he mourned his loss as one whom he could
not but love and respect as a man.