The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-11-07


an army the encmy's strength and resources
would soon be ~ familiar TO him rs his own
So far as the very high ordcr of his talents and
legal requirements are concerned, | think can
safely say, in looking around us to-day and
back over the history Of the past that our late
brother was one Of the brightest lights that ever
shone at this bar. Since Judge Dickey has re-
moved to another field OF labor, your Honor is
the only one that remains with lis that can, from
personal recollection, mark the time and place
when and where the history of this bar com
mcnced You have known all its members both
dead and living. The names Of some Of them
them have become familiar to the people OF this
country. Some have been called from this bar to
win honor and distinction on other and different
fields but think your Honor will bear me out
i'll the assertion, that during the nearly lorly
years you have been ut the bar AM upon the
bench Of this court there has never Deeh one Oh
its members who in so short space Of time,
reached a higher position and gave greater
promise of future success than our brother. He
was but n mere boy in years at the time Of his
death, only Hyty, yet sc all regarded him as the
most successful, and one Of the ablest members
Of this bar He had an honest ambition for fame
and distinction without which no one can or
ever will succeed as lawyer. He WAS one Of
those that believed that there is something high
or in the study and practice Of the law than a
mere pccunary consideration. He had almost
religious reverence for the grand old masters
lie examined closely the road over which Others
had travelled to fame and honor. He was firm
believer in the great principles Of the common law
and viewed with suspicion and jealousy the fire.
qucnt inroads made by the legislature upon its
sacred precincts lie believed that its rules
which govern life, liberty and property should
never be disturbed except upon the most urgent
necessity and then only where changed cond
ton of society demanded it. His experience in
The practice and application Of the common law
led him to believe changes in its rules were too
frequently made and hastily.
have cndeavorcd SO far to refer 10 q few
Of the good qualities Of the head and heart
of our brother Others might have spoken
Of him with more cloQuence, but ! am
sure with no more heartfelt sincerity. |
Lave spoken Of him as | would of friend ana
brother. Others may add much to what ! have
said, but ain 10th 10 cease. Would that could
say something that would soothc the grief ana
sorrow of those that are left behind Bat it is a
useless task; the more we recount his virtues the
deeper we feel his loss ! was the last OF his
brothers to bid him final farewell. While
stood upon the platform OF the cars holding his
emacated and trembling hand in mine trying TO
cheer him up and speak words Of encourage
ment. he saw that was only endcayorng to dis
Cuse my feelings in words. He said, "Oh, no.
| guess the thing is about over with me. We
shall never Try another case together. If ! live
to get TO California write me good long letter
and tell me sill about the court ard the boys,
meaning his brothers il the profession. He
further said, My main object in going away is,
that when the final hour does come shall have
the satisfaction of knowing that l have done
everything wthinmy power to restore my heath
and nay friends cannot say that had done this
or that might be with them still" Four weeks
from that Gay we were standing upon the same
platform awaiting the arrival Of the train that
bore the precious casket containing the mortt
remains OF our brother. Tome railroads trains
ALWAYS seem late, but alas this one came TO carly.
We laid him tcnderly in the burial ground OF tho
church Of his choice, where he now sleeps hi;
last sleep He is gone forever. We shall ncyel
forget him. His cheerful greeting we shall never
near again in this Court House. 1t will be
long time, at least in our affections, before an
other win be found to fill his place. ! hope We
shall all live such lives when we have joined
him in the great unknown, that those who are
left behind can sincerely speak rs we have
spoken of him to-day.
To which Judge LELAND replied
-,
marks which have been made upon their presen
tation, al appears to have been said which vel
could have been in honor and praise Of the de
ceased. There seems little left for the court tt
do except simply to comply with the request o
the bar, to express its fall concurrence with i
in its well meritcd tribute of respect to the dc
parted, and to unite with itin sincerely MOURN.
for the early dead, whom, while living, we al
respected and esteemed so highly.
The one for whose death we mourn, was mai
of superior ability, Of excellent requirements
Of that upright and honorable department in hi
dealings with his fellow men which obtained 70
him their confidence, and of,that friendly natur
and agrecabeness of conversation which mad
him pleasant companion.
Devoted almost exclusively to the duties OF hi
profession he was industrious, laborious, wei
read and ableas q lawyer; persuasive, eloquent
earnest and effective as an advocate; wise ant
prudent in counsel and potent and active in men
tai combat at the bar. When we consider tn
length Of time usually required to become emf
nent In the profession Of the law, we may wei
have been surprised ut the suddcnncss witt
which he became extensively engaged in prac
tee. To have performed 50 much work, and t
have acquired so much distinction at the earl
age of thirty, after devoting only about min
years to his duties as a lawyer, is rare and unus
ual. 1t indicates that with greater length q
life, and consequently with more knowledge an
increased maturity Of, judgment, he would hay
died at or near the head of the profession.
Leaving large and lucrative practice at thi
lar. he snunht for rnsnratinn OF his faIllnm phN.