Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-29

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let against the bonding of Rutland in aid
of the Rutland and Woodstock Railroad,
and writing communications on the same
subject for the HERALD, and editorials
for the Rutland Independent in opposition
to the bonding scheme. Immediately
after the adjournment of the court he
went to Montpelier to attend the session
of the Council of Censors, where he also
labored necessarily in preparing reports
and speeches.. This severe mental strain
impaired his bodily health, wasted his
physical strength and affected his mind.
He spent the following winter in Wash
ington, where his health and the tone of
his mind was improved; but this restora-
ton did not prove permanent, and few
months after he sought relief, with hope
of recovery, in the insane retreat at Hart
ford, connecticut, but all has proved Of
no avail, and death has closed the scene.
His last argument in Court was in the
Shrewsbury murder trial.
He was we'll constituted for sound
lawyer and able advocate. His mind, dis.
ciplined by study, easily comprehended
and mastered the principles which were
the foundation of legal science. The COM
mon law, embodying the great truths OF
English liberty, as constituting the basis
of our system of Jurisprudence, had par
ticular attractions for him, and opened to
his mind a field of learning adorned
by the cultivation and genius of
Littleton, Coke, and a Blackstone.
He had no sympathy with that class of his
profession who pervert the just designs OF
the law and use the power it confers
as a means of oppression of the
unfortunate, nor was he calcula-
ted for sharp practitioner. He
could not stoop to detect and expose a
mere technical defect in a pleading, nor
defeat the ends of justice by the assertion
of an unsubstantial right. But risi ng
above the trammels of form, he argued a
cause upon its merits and by the test OF
those principles long recognized and set
tied by the books and the court, and took
a position from which he could view the
entire field before him. Though he was
successful advocate before the jury, he
particularly distinguished himself before
the judges for his research and skill. The
circle of his true fame therefore will bt
that of the bar, where only it can be
i expected that he should be fully knSwr
and understood in character and works al
a lawyer.
! As a lawyer, It was the peculiar and
commanding strength of his mind whiet
gave him superiority and prominence
His mind was remarkable for the quick.
ness of his perceptions for its penetration
and its prehensiveness for the ease
with which it would master the most com.
plicated details. His mind was not of ma.
ture to creep to q conclusion, he strobe tc
! it by the directest way. No lurking fallscy
J in the statement, argument or opinion Of
, another could we'll escape the detection O.
T. his observation. He was clear in his
statement expressed in vigorous yet un
: affected language, usually presenting ,
single point or view on which the Who'll,
3 case must turn, reasoning with acute
ness. precision and brevity excluding al
matters not essentially belonging to tn,
case or argument, quoting authoritie
with discrimination, and when his con
clusion was reached he stopped, leaving
the principle developed. In these re
spects lao held "A superior rank at the bar,
aud indicated his admirable qualifications
for judge, position in connection with
which his name had been often named
and which it seemed bis ambition to at
tain.
He had great command of language
and was thus skilled for extemroEa a?ppl
speaking and debate. His style was easy
and kept the close attention of his audi
tors
We have chiefly alluded to Mr.. Dewey
as a lawyer. He had many qualities aside
from his judicial ability. He was a mar
of extensive reading and culture. To {
good head he united the generous impulse
] OF noble heart. He had frankness OF
n1alner, and pursued his purposes with
a ssiduity, and openly. To his friends he
wa charitable in Judgment He was am
hit, Jus, but not heartless or selfish. He
euter ed ardently and confidently upon
the discharge of every design he formed.
Failure was never anticipated. What re-
mains of the analysis of his legal charac'
Ter and attainments must be left to some
other hand than ours-which we trust
NAV not be wanting-to supply the fu /
details and full particulars of his his
tory.
Mr.. Dewey was twice married. Hi
first wife was daughter of Rev. Ira Pear
son of Ludlow. His second wife was a
daughter of Hon. Silas FL. Hodges, who
survives. He leaves an interesting family
of four children, all girls.
Thus have we traced the life of oul
friend, whose counsels and advice IN en-
tering the editorial profession were freely
given and highly appreciated; and WE
shall cherish with gratitude his memory
for many acts of kindness and assistance
rendered US in various ways, and the deb
of gratitude due him has been but feebly
paid in this tribute to his life thus put OF
record.
l A HORRIBLE CASE OF SUICIDE.-Mrs
Elizabeth Garegan, of West avenue ant
: Third street, Long Island City, had dis
] pute with her husband on Monday night
The neighbors heard hard words, bu
, thought nothing of it. The husband say
that little before midnight she aros
from the bed where she had been lying
with her clothes on, and before he com
pretended what she was about, pouret
. the contents of the kerosene can over her