Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-09
Enlogy by Charles 0,GOnor, Esq.
On de Late James r. Brady, at the Ae1.O-
rial Meeting of he Bench and Bar of
Nsp York, February 14ih. - -

! {. .
iyeeneration is already drawing to close,
and one older than has paid 10 the memory
of the deceased its becoming tribute. Youth
has laid on the tomb of our departed brother
its bright and beautiful offering. Middle age
has come forward with its eopioGs tribptes
and descanted in modest aud becoming Ian
euage on the merits OF james l. Brady. To
this absolutely perfect record of respect and
homage it may seem presumptuous to attempt
to add anything Indeed, / cannot make an
addition Mt all worthy of the great subject
IF / possessed his readiness and versatility,
or if he were to, staudr q my grave, We being
equal, you might hear something worthy of
the oceasiun was admitted to the bar long
| prior to Mr. Brady's own father, and coun-
seled with him as his adviser, near the table
where sat the retiring boy whose death we
| mourn, and who was then regarded by his
father as the hope of the family. His mod
esty aud silence ever seemed to demand the
stimulant of commendation, though even then
that grace of person and quiet self,reliance,
which subsequently became distius uishing
features, were noticeable In his subsequent
career as counsel, they had not been frequent.
ly Observation-Disclosures generally opposed, aud
! on some of these occasions he displayed some
of the proudest marks of his ability. Shall
speak of the things for which he was dis
tinguished? They have been fully and beau.
tiluily placed before you by his associates and
juniors. In the method in which they have
performed this duty, Se find much to dimln-
! ish the general grief. His example has won
a host of imitators, who, In general measure.
supply his place: In self reliance, none
within his experience has exhibited higher
order than he. Our city has grown vastly in
! L., fha
representative "f national class somewhat
obscure and unfashiopable. lie was an adhe-
rent of an ancient and questionable faith
while in politics he belonged to the extIem-
est wing of the must unpopular party. Be-
ginning without influence or friends. he re-
! lied on his own brain and hand, and never
sought other source. lie never forgot the
land of his fathers. sometimes speaking OF
her in seeming forgetfulness of the glorious
land of his birth. Bur,the f,rmer demanded
his aid, while the latter could flourish with
out it. Had he been n seeker after political
prefcrment, he might readily have found 1t ;
but he sought it not-he scorned II.
Mr. O'Conor then went ON to speak Of his
integrity, in which he said If he were Ev.
ing he would feel wounded by an attempted
compliment in respect of his integrity. In
the whole course of his life he never suffered
a momentary impeachment but once he then
scorned all explanation and deied censure
and after, when investigation of the cIrcum-
stances showed overwhelmingly not only that
he was not guilty, but emiuently praiseworthy
lac scornfuliy refused to permit his vindication
to find its way even into the newspapers
His infexible s;ernness of character aud ad-
herence to principle was eminently illustrated
at the time of those national occurrences
which for the time being divided this nation
lie then with all the earnest warmth of his
heart sprang to the banner of his own Sec
ton and the side of his Northern brethren,
not to discuss political or constitutional prob
lens. but to call forth the power of the land
to enforce the principles he had espoused.- =
When the Savannah privateers were on trial
his sense of duty an advocate led him into
Court as their leading champion to demand
their acquittal. When, subsequently,, armed
resistonce had ceased in the land, and the ne
cessity for violence was deemed at an end, he
stood forth, without lee, though literally ten
dered, the advocate of The Confederate chief
Thus ever was it with Mr. Brady. His de
Termination prompting, and his discrimins
ton enabling him to strike for the right anc
speak in defence of the fallen. Whether The
Creator, who presides over the destinies o
earth, shall honor him with a niche in thl
already crowded Pantheon, know not, bu
we, his intimates, shall ever cherish the mem
ory of him in whom penitence, which openetl
the portals Of eternal rest, has given assur
ance of purer life beyond the grave.