The New York herald., 1873-12-06
THE LATE JUDGE PECKHAM.

Respect to His MemOry-EulOSistic
Speeches by Members OF the Bar.
Nearly all the State Courts adjourned yesterday
as a testimonial OF respect to the memory OF the
late Judge Rufus w. Peckham, OF the Court Of
Appeals whose sad and untimely death on the
Inflated Vile du Havre is one OF the most painful
records OF that terrible disaster. Leading members
OF the Bar, in moving the adjournment, spoke with
warmth OF feeling and emotion, showing
their appreciation OF the marked abilities and
probity OF the deceased, and the judges in order
ing the adJournments, re-echoed the sentiments IN
language OF like fervency and painful emotion.
In the Court OF Oyer and Terminer District Attor-
ney Phelps, as soon as two important habeas cor
pus cases mad been disposed Of moved an adjourn
ment OF the Court In the following touching and
appropriate address -
think, Your Honor, that this Court should not
adjourn without something to give expression,
In some degree, at least, to the feelings must all
have experienced consequent on the sad intelli-
gence which reached us on Monday night. The
terrible calamity OF which We were then first adj
vised, although the victims had been sleeping for
the last ten days in their watery graves, was one
which reached far and wide In its effect OF sorrow
and gloom, bringing desoiation to many heart
in this country and in other lands, uniting in one
common misfortune men OF various nationalities,
OF various pursuits and creeds, and it noby Illus
trated the power OF q common faith, which, by
the ministers OF various sects and denominations
manifested itself III the same spirit OF resignation
upon that awful day. But while all felt the shock
OF that misfortune, think that to the members
of our profession, and to those who are accustomed
to practice in this Court, 1t comes with unusual
force and has impressed US with unusual solem-
nifty, for by that calamity one was taken from
taken from position OF emlnence and reputation
which he had reached by o long life OF honorable
and useful industry In which he had adorned our
profession IN various situations in all Of which he
had comported himself as became high minded
honorable and Christian gentleman. Ineed not say
that refer to that illustrious member of the Court
OF last resort in this State, Judge Peckham, who
wa was taken from ms place OF usefulness and honor
this Before aae peopa pes @ay aa
IN conspicuous positions. He was for many years
public prosecutor, representing the people OF the
in the Supreme Court and in the Court OF Appeals
and in all Of those, where his good fortune or the
81 DIS eGw paoed m m ne bore
iiestatons Of ability and integrity No familiar
with his course on the Bench or the opinions
OF the Court of Appeals OF this State
ae AUD I n na Sou and most
him as do-for think that / saw him on the very
day on which he lett this port to seek recreation
knew him personally love now to linger rather on
his qualities as q man than on his eminence, how
Judge. and | take, great pleasure in
recalling the last recollection or great
to us, as the last thing seen Of Judge Peckham,
when he stood on the deck or that iil-fated ship,
and said to those around him, like the gallant
Christian gentleman that he was, III we are to go
down, let US go down bravely." Imove that in
honor to his memory ana as manifestation OF
esteem Tor his high qualities and regret ior his loss
that this Court now adjourn.
Colonel Fellows, in seconding the motion, said II
may be permitted to express the sentiment OF each
heart, the concurrent sentiment OF profession,
that by that sad event we have sustained the loss
OF Jurist who illustrated and graced every posi-
ton 10 which he was called, and reflected honor
on noble profession and the Bench to which the
voice OF his fellow citizens called him. Unbending
as judge, stern in integrity, yet characterizing
all his actions by judicial impartiality and fair.
ness, he long ago and each day he lived, to higher
degree, Won the confidence OF all who came be-
fore him interested in cases. and OF the
TO him. Broken down by long abors. he went
abroad to seek health and the relief that might
death, bu. not until he had gathered the full
measure honest fame and ren0wn to himself and
In every court over which his jurisdiction ex.
tended, such tributes as that which was heard
here from the eloquent District Attorney this
morning, will be PAID and every member OF our
profession will remember him with respect ad-
miration, veneration and esteem, such as becomes
his high position, his elevated qualities and ster-
ling worth. and will look on him as a great
exemplar and standard in our calling.
Judge Ingraham spoke as follows:- concur with
the counsel in everything said In regard to Judge
long personal Acquaintance He sAs was s'ie earned
upright fearless Judge, and, In all the relations OF
iiie whether public or private he entitled himself
esteem OF the profession 1t is due to his memory
that this motion should be granted and be entered
on the minutes OF the Court the cause OF the
adjournment. His death is deplored not only on
account OF the loss sustained, but on account of
the sudden ana awful manner OF that death.
SUPREME COURT, CHAMBERS.
Ex-Judge White made the motion to adjourn In
Supreme Court, Chambers, before Mr. Justice
posed or ana exjudge Van Cott seconded dit It, both
uttering most feeling eulo9iums upon the deceased.
Judge brady, In granting the motion, delivered a
warm eulogy OF the deceased, alluding especially
10 the herolsm OF his last reported words.
SUFERIoR COURT
In Superior Court, Part ]. presided over by
Judge Mcneil, motion to adjourn was made b7
ex-Judge Fullerton and seconded by Mr. Anthony
K Dyett. The speeches OF both these gentlemen
as, likewise, were the remarks OF Jrupe Mcneil in
granting the mof..@@n.
In Part q neld by Judge sedgwics. the motion
Tas likewise maze by Mr.. Dyett and seconded by
Mr.. Brown The remarks OF Judge Sedgwick were
OF peculiarly interesting and feeling character.
In the Special Term, before Judge Freedman, the
motion fer adjournment was made by ex-Judgc
White and seconded by +. cambridge Smith.
IN THE COMMON PLEAS.
In the Common Pleas Part J. In which Chief JUS
ticc DAILY presided. the motion was made by A. +.
Smith and seconded by Mr.. @. q. 7, Buckley.
In Part 2, before, Judge Larremore, the motion
was made by ex-Judge Birdseye and seconded by
Aaron J. vanderpoei and samuel ]. Crooks.
In the Special Term, Judge Loew presiding, Mr..
d. $. Riddle made the motion and Colonel Lock
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS
Assistant District Attorney Russell moved the
OI LHlS COllTl Hc Sdlu iHdL lew uhNS
ago the sad intelligence came to us that, among
others who we're lost by the unfortunate accident
at sea, was q most eminent, upright and distin-
Quished Judge OF this state, the Hon. Rufus w.
Peckham. lie had always borne the highest char
acter for ability. integrity and vgor oil character.
Out OF respect to HIS memory he moved that the
Court adiour
Mr. John o. Mott seconded the motion in brief
and neat address, alludng to his personal acquaint
ancc with the distinguished lawyer.
Recorder Hackett, In granting the adjournment,
spoke as follows:--"The untlmey death OF Judge
Rufus w. Peckham, OF the Court OF Appeals is not
only deeply lamented by all those who had the
honor OF his personal acquain tance, but their sor
row is shared by the great body OF the people OF
this state to whom the high standing and char
acter OF the lamcnted deceased were familiar. Few
persons who have held elevated judicial positions
have attained TO higher eminence In the char.
character than had Judge Peckham who, before
assuming judicial position, stood among his fellow
members OF the Bar their peer In all the qualinca
tions which mark the distinguished counsellor and
advocate. 1t Is eminently proper that this Court