Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-12
Meeting Of the Bar, Citizens
and Trustees OF the Uniyer-
silly OF Nashville.
The Resolutions Adopted.
Speeches of Ex-GOV. Neill 8.
Brown, President Johnson.
Ex.GOy. FOOte and
Others.
Reception Of the Remains.
Preparations for the Funeral
Obsequies.

| AAVpNi AtfVMS AVA she uuOh0 "a
Obsequies.
| A meeting Of the Nashville Bar was
held in the Circuit Court room yesterday
morning TO take action in regard TO the
death of Hon. John Bell.
| Francis B. Fogg, Esq, was called to the
chair, and John c. Thompson, Esq, was
appointed Secretary.
On motion of ex-Goy. Neill S. Brown,
committee was appointed by the chair TO
draft resolutions suitable to the occasion.
The following persons were appointed:
Gov. Neill 8. Brown, Judge Gaut, Judge
Cooper, Mr.. Stubbleield, Judge Baxter,
Judge Hawkins and Judge Eugene Cary.
They retired and soon afterwards re-
turned, and Gov. Brown, Chairman of the
meeting, read the following resolution:
The members of the Nashville Bar have
| heard with deep regret Of the death Of
Hon. John Bell, which took place on the
morning of the 10th instant at his resi-
dence on Cumberland river. As MEM
| Der of this bar, Col. Bell had distinguished
himself in the early portion of his career,
| and given ample assurance of the highest
attainment in his profession. But it was
| his high character and reputation as a
statesman running through a period of
more Than q quarter of century, that
Ill .1ras nj 81
With his eminent abilities he united high
moral nature, and those strong qualities
of heart, which commanded in a remark
able degree the confidence Of his fellow
citizens. The various high positions filed
by him-and the part he bore in the poll
tical conflicts of the country, have became
historical and need no be here recapitu
lated.
He was an eminent lawyer, and faith
ful, eloquent and distinguished statesman.
Resolved therefore, That we deeply re-
gret the death of Hon John Bel, and feel
that not only The State of Tennessee, but
the whole country, has sustained great
loss.
Resolved, That the members of this
Bar will attend his funeral in body, as
a token of their sincere regard for his
| memory.
Resolved, That these proceedings be pub.
lished in the city papers, and copy OF
the same be presented 10 each of the
courts when in session in this city, to be
spread on the minutes.
Resolved, That we sympathiZe sincerely
with the family Of the deceased in their
bereavement, and that the chairman Of
this meeting address them letter of con-
dolence, accompanied with copy Of these
proceedings.
The Chairman of the meeting, Francis
B. Fogg, then addressed the meeting in a
| few brief remarks. lie became acquainted
| with Mr.. Bell about fifty years ago; he
| was at that time in Williamson county
practicing law. lie was a very good law
| yer, always attentive to his business. he
! was universally known, and in 1917 was
member of the State Legislature. Instead
| of being born in February, 1877, as the
| paper stated this morning, he was born IN
| February, 1896, and at the time the Legis
lsture met was twenty.one years OF age.
| He was quite distinguished as a member
| OF the Legislature. He practieed in the
Circuit, Supreme and Federal Courts
here for many years. In 1871
he moved TO Franklin where he entered
into partnership with Henry Crabb. He
was distinguished for his earnestness and
for The force and energy of expression,
and if he had continued in the profession
he had no doubt but that he would have
been the most eminent lawyer in the whole
country. He had heard him make
speeches before jury when he would have
an effect which very few men can pracN
tice. For many years he devoted his
time to the study of political works, and
he was we'll versed with the constitution
Of the United States, and was a good pO-
litical economist He thought that the de-
ceased was an honor TO the profession, and
was very pleasant in. his intercourse with
his fellow-men and had high reputation
at Washington city.
| Gov. Neill S. Brown was called upon and
addressed the meeting substantially as fol-
lows:
The career OF the deceased az a public
man ia ass ociate with my first knowledge
| of public men, running lack as far as the
| year 1927. | knew something also OF his
reputation as a lawyer which he made in
different counties and in Nashville. |
have known him with more or less inter-
macy for twenty five years, and think l
have a Just estimate of lis character and
abilities and it is 10 disparagement to
other men who have passed before us to
say that he had few equals, and perhaps
no superior in the Stale. He was eloquent
when he choose to be. | have heard him
ghen thought he was the most eloquent
man | ever heard. When he chose to let
himself out, to spread his wings 10 take a
wide range, he had the language to make
: very often the most eloquent speeches.
His character is too we'll known for me to
enter into any details in regard TO it. lie
/ was proficient scholar to begin with his
mind was thoroughly cultivated. lie was
| not horn with silver spoon in his mouth,
, | hut was the son Of an humble and
honest farmer. who lived in the
neiphborhood Of this city. For four
, | teen wears he filled a seat in the
, | Congress of the Unite States and was then
hon0red with the position of Secretary OF
, War and subsequently to that was elected
Senator twice by the action OF the Tennes-
: sna Ieo;slsture. That he should have
horne himself through this long period
} without the first impeachment OF his NOR
al character, and without even having
. been CHARGED with completely in intrigue
Q Q, corruption, is a triumph of hig h for
s time that will cover his memory with "a
= disnce which ia as bright az that which bls
n zes around the grave OF hero. wave
: aGer wave may roll by, bearing nPor
# ;ls crest our feeling for the deceased dowr
D n the ocean from whence 10 traveller
o ever returnq. / have often heard 1t sale
!, tbst he WAS a very cold man, by person
> not intimately acquainted with him, AM
- ,hs, be was an intriguer. Of all the publ
f men. | ever knew he had less genius ant
q taste for public management lie alWay
= seemed to poise upon his consideration
rscti,nde and all his ability to strengthen
q the noints he maintained. He was maj
y of very high moral nature and sIron
q ralioions sentiment. In his last year
l. he Returned % that strong religious sentl
= ment which followed him through llf'
3. Johp Bell has died meritlng the high an,
lie ew;nent title of an honest man. What
r. fame compared to those high persons
10 onalities which we believe our brothe
1t Was the possessor and practicer Of
M ReJI formed one of q number of me
who now have almost passed away. The
ID were Jackson, White, Polk, Grundy, FO
he Ter and Brown, and others VT
n preceded him, who have passed ava