The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-03
STANTON.
The Death Of the Great War AIinister-A
Meeting Of the PhiIadslphin Bar and Its


The Death Of the Great War ATinister--A
Meeting Of the PhiIadslDhia Bar and Its
In pursuance OF a notice published immediately
after the death Of the Hon. Edwin n Stanton,
meeting Of the members Of the Phlladelphia Bar
preme Court room, whicn was crowded with the
most prominent lawyers OF the city, all she judges
Justice Read, Of the sdpreme Court, opened the
by saying:--A great man, and q great
lawy with all the elements OF great Judge, has,
and his fellow-members Of the Bar OF Pennsylvania
are called together to-day to express their deep
Having read the call, which was to the Bar Of the
State, he proposed that Chief Justice Thompson be
called to preside, which met the approval OF all
pr sent and the Chief Justice accordingly took the
chair and Bad:-
ADDRESS BY CuIRF JUSTICE THOMPSON.
Gentlemen OF the Bar-It is scarcely necessary
that should refer te the purpose and object OF the
call on you TO assemble, snd your appearance here
In such large numbers on this occasion. You are
awsTe Ihst II s 70 pay ss m OF respSG1 70 @ ss
one who, with marked ability, often appeared to
prosecute.hi profession in the halls of the supreme
Court in this city, and much more often in that OF
the court in theWestern District Edwin NJ Stanton,
our departed brother, was distinguished lawyer
distinguished alike for soun tness ofhesd sagaclty
Judgment, legal learning, and untrlng Industry.
Without genins--n the sense In which we apply the
term to gifted orators, poets paintershe had the
genius OF common sense, and the genius OF perseve-
rance, which carried him In legal contests over 0r-
mldabe barriers to successful results, which could
not have been achieved by less powerful minds, or
by mere brilliaDcy Of effort His were solid talents.
knew him well, and had experience OF his ac-
vity in actual contact with him at the oar. He was
ever to me Courteous aud kind, always maintaining
proper ana due regard to the dignity and proprle
ties OF his profession There was much about him
alawyeT aud is OF him in this character speak,
that might be pro1taoy Initiated by every pract-
tloneT, Old aad young he studied every Sase ne
that have ever known eXcelled him I'm that partcu
lar he spread out his case before himself as gene
raj would his maps, and made himself perfectly
master Of the strong well as weak points OF his
position. The former he used with great power to
assail, and the latter he defended with consummate
skill. No wonder he very successful, and he
had large practice in important cases. The fire.
auency and the aggregate Of his successes may per
haps to some extent, have resulted from an avoid
ance OF what Jumus uncharitably attributes as
general to the profession, that 1t is supported by the
"indscriminate maintenance OF right and wrong"
doubt not at all that his thorough examination OF
every saved him from many defeats by conse-
quent refusal TO engage in cases which his own judg
ment did not clearly regard maintsnable. He was
intensely loyal to hs clients and when that relation
his own tone and indiYsibe" he never faltered or
tagged in maintaining it. That such qualities and
talents should in time raise him to the highest posi-
tions and honors Of his profession, is not to be
wondered at 1t was a natural result He rose TO
the distinguished position OF Attorney General OF the
ITSELF High honors these The last was but
point however, period at the end OF the last para
graph OF life But he ia done with life and its cares
forever, ana his sudden demise is at once lesson
and warning. Alesson that earthly powers and
positions avail nothing against the inevitable law of
pared for the change, for we know not the day nor
the hour 1t may come
The Officers of the Meeting.
Chief Justice Thompson then moved the selection
OF the following gentlemen as additional oficers Of
the meeting, who were unanimously chosen:-
es @f Msuas ae
oSs hSn Un W. Bs
White. Hon. john N Conynrhsm: '' A'-' "'.ei' w.
III Fs1 bsSs ss. wsn
william L. Hirnt ESQ. Theodore Cuyler Esa, james
ssSp So;Os Hq
Address by Hon. William NJ. Meredith.
Hon. William M. Meredith arose and spoke of the
lamented dead in feeling terms. He said he had
been honored with long personal intimacy with
observe his private character. His character as Q
public officer had been touched upon by the honor.
able president OF this meeting, in the most proper
| language But he would speak Of him as a private
man. among his friends and in the bosom OF hi:
happy, loving home. In this capacity was it he knew
him best. He had upon this point heard many asper
sons cast but he would defend him and call upon thC
! Chief OF This high Court to support him when HI
said that the heart OF Edwin N. stanton was firm
| genuine sorrow at the death OF 80 great mau; bu
he saw its near approach when Mr. Stanton was las
in this city-fOr ne never came here without honor
ing the speakers home with visit-and then, will
pang Of regret, he felt that his constitution wa
broken and shattered, and would soon be added Il
the long list OF our great dead.
Mr. Meredith then offered the following resolu
| tons, which were read by Hon. Ell K Price, am
adopted by the meetng:-
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, The Bar of Pennsy vania has assembled
in appropriate form, the feelings of its member
Secs,ioned sudden deise Of their brother Edw
Rso1seS That whilst the American people are doplorin
the lots Of this distinguished and oerin
ps. Of viii
lis
H,oised. That Mr. Ssnton's great ability was exhibited
in the post Of Attorney General Of the United
.on t1s qDG ate Ma tn
patriotism illustrated by his OF sefsacrcin
and jealous industry Minister O War daring the Re
When pow sr and place being laid aside. bis necessts
| compelled him to resume tho arduous labors Of hi
Resoigtd, That in the death of Edwin M Stanton W
especs depSre the loss Of his services upon the benz
laws of nation he had contributed so much to save.
e: Mo IN Ss %
lusre shed by the deceased the profession Whi
Rs:oised That sincerely eO4dole with the family
the deceased in the rreparable loss which has deprive
| them OF a fond father and husband.
Reosed That committee of five be appointed to trans
cPPs "a 5sese 81 s nSsd e aa %
Justice OF the United States.
Address of Attorney Generai r. Carroll Brew
| Hon. f. Carroll Brewster addressed the President
saying that IL WAS with feeling OF melancholy plea
sure that he undertook the solemn duty OF paying
last tribute to the memory Of Mr.. stanton His pre-
his frst appearance at the bar OF the wester
portion OF this State to his fnsl triumph 1
mounting the Supreme Bench
the nation, afforded lesson specially applicable &
the Young members OF the bar whom ne was glat
TO see present here to-day. As to his public life
an Oncer Of the Government though unfOrtunatel
among men there will always be political diffel
ences yet all would agree that though he dtsburse
one hundred millions OF the cOuntry's wealth, nC
stain had been lett upon the bright shield Of hi
| reputation And his great wisdom and integrlt
were shoSn In brightness In his administration
the once Of Attorney General, where with so muc
| clearness and justice he expOunded the laws OF th
| ma ion in whose support he had been so active.