Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-07-01
Hon. Richard Fletcher.

Hon.
Hon. Richard Fletcher of Boston,
brother of Ex-Gov. Ryland Fletcher, died
at his residence in Avon Place, in that
city. about o'clock on the afternoon Of
the 21st inst.
The death Of 70 good and pure a man
in his days, so distinguished in his pro-
fession, being a Eermonter, deserves
more than usual obituary notice in the
columns Of the HERALD, and we present
the following hastily written sketch;
Judge Fletcher was a native Of Cavern
dish. in this State. The house-small IN
dimensions, but in quite good repair, -till
remains. in which be was born on the 9Th
Of January. 17ss. The old farm on which
he spent his boyhocd. and to which he
ha. always returned with 20 much enjoy
ment a. often az the calls # business
would permit, aud in which he -lway- re-
tanned an interest, remains intact III the
Fletcher family. At II years Of ~" be
left the farm, and lifted for college. In
tered AT Dartmouth when ] J, and grad
mated in 1906. At graduation the vale
dictory address was given him. Alter
teaching. ~ the principal Of the Acade-
my at Salisbury, y. II, Cor year, be IN
tered the Office Of Daniel Webster a
Portsmouth a. a law-studcnt. whore be-
remained four years Returning to Sails
bury he commenced there the practice OF
law. Soon rising to cminenee in hi- pro-
fes-iou. he made the entire circuit Of the
State, and the record Of every county tell-
OF his forensic ability.
Subsequently be opened an office ia Bo--
tom, where liz al us4r- took rank with the
leading attornie, in practice at the Suffolk
bar lie was the leading counsel for the
people in the celebrated Warren Bridge"
case, the decision Of which overthrow an
aristocratic monopoly. and gave, free rad
and accelerated business Ia tie Town
Of Boston" We are told by one who
heard that trial, that the effort oi Mr.
Fletcher on that occasion showed great
research, learning and ability, sni that liz
argument ia, seldom been cNecllel in
ieryor, eIo4uence and effect.
Dcyoting himself entirely TO hi profes-
sion, for ycars ne declined al political
prefcrment, but accepted the position Of
sabbath School Superintendent in the
Federal Street Church. HAich Office he
held for many years.
At length. yielding to the earnest r.'.ie-
itations of the freemrn 81 hi- district. he
was elected and took has seat 49, "a mem
Der of Congress from Massachusetts, III
1886 Placed by the Speaker Of tie
House, james X. Polk, upon the commit
tee Of ways and means, Mr.. Fletcher took
a prominent position in opposition to the
administration and majority in Congress.
both on measures of finance and on the
slavery question.
His speech TO his constituents delivered
in Fancuil Hall, Nov. 6, 1897, gaze un-
bragg to the dominant party, who, ou his
return to the halls of Congress. on the
principle that 1.-THE wounded bird futters.
attacked him as they subsequently did
John g. Adams, VIM. Slade and Joshua
L. Giddings. for exposing the political
wicked men Of the chivalry and their al
lies. The associations of Congress, and
the life of politician were not congenial
TO his tastes and high moral principles,
and he declined reelection, aud re-
turned to the business of his profession.
In 1913 Mr. Fletcher was elected one OF
the judges of the Supreme Court of las
sachusetts. lie remained on the bench
till 1853, discharging the duties Of his
Office ably and faithfully. But bis great
love for seclusion, and the society Of his
library (which was one of the largest and
to resign the judgship after five years
service. Since then, till the infirmities
of age admonished him TO retire altogeth-
er from business, he has retained his
old business client as an adviser, or what
may be called chamber counsellor, liy-
ing in quiet, and in religious devotion.
| Mr.. Fletcher never married, and instead
of thus devoting his wealth learned en-
tircly by his own industry in support of
family of his own, has been constantly
doing good with it in benevolent ways
and means for the public good, and for
the advancement of private and individ-
ual happiness. Such was the reputation
he sustained, that it is evident the highest
offices in the gift of the people would
have been cheerfully conferred. Though
conspicuous as a learned and able lawyer,
the browning excellence of his character
was his religions devotion. His was a
practical 'piety in humble imitation of
Him who went about doing good He
was the associate, the friend and conf
dent Of Daniel Webster, though the OPP
posite of that great statesman in his esti-
nation Of political preferment and in
financial abilities.
The sun of Webster went down while
the gathering gloom of Southern ftorms
threatened our country with portentious
violence. He trembled and bent before
the advancing tornado, and died with
] propheticlfo rebodings On his lips.