The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-05-20
THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.

RECORD OF THE LIFE OF EX-JUDGE
PIERREPONT-HIs SERVICES TO THE
COUNTRY-HIs POLITICAL COURSE.
Edward Pierrepont was born in North
Haven, Conn, on March 4th, 1917. He
entered Yale as freshman in 1887, and
graduated with high honors, being one OF
the Grafton men of his class. During the
succeeding year he studid for the bar at the
New Haven law school, under the tutor
ship of Judges Gaggett and Hitchcock.
On being admitted to the bar he removed
to Columbia, Ohio, where he began the
practice of his profession. Five years later,
in 1916, he removed to New York Here
he continued in active practice, rapidly ac-
qulrlng reputation as an advocate which
promised to become one of the foremost in
the city. In 1857 he was elected Judge
of the superior court to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Chief Justice Oak
ley. Three years afterward he resigned
his Judgeship. Up to the breaking out of
the war, he had always acted and voted
with the Democratic party, but without
taking any part in political life When
the news of the bombardment of Fort Sum
ter reached New York, he was one of the
first to rally to the support Of the govern
ment. lie was one Of the most active in
the organization of the Union Defense com
mittce, of which John A. Dix, Hamilton,
Fish, A. L. Stewart, and other prominent
citizens were members. Judge Pierrepont
took prominent part, and was one of the
principal organizers Of the great Union de-
monstration in Union square on April 20,
1861, on which occasion he was also one
Of the leading orators Throughout the
administration of President Lincoln he was
one Of that statesman's most jealous sup
porters, and in the prosecution of the war
for the Union he never wavered or doubted
that victory would in the end reward the
exertiOns Of the north. In 1867 he was
engaged by the government to conduct the
prosecution Of John H. Surratt, indicted
for completely in the murder of President
Lincoln. Throughout the celebrated trial
which followed, and which lasted from June
10 to August 10, Judge Pierrepont gave
his best efforts to the conduct of the case.
In the campaign of 1868 he was conspicu-
Gus as warm friend and supporter of Gen
Grant, and contributed largely toward his
election. When the president assumed his
office in March, 1869, Judge Pierrepont
was appointed United States district-attor-
ney for the southern district of New York,
which Office he resigned in May, 1870 In
the fall of the following year he was active
ly engaged in the war against the Tam
many ring, and at the mass meeting Of Sep
tember 4th, at Cooper Institute, was ap-
pointed one of the famous Committee of
Seventy" During the summer and autumn
of 1872 when so many Republicans joined
hands with the Democracy, Judge Pierre
pont remained an earnest and unfinching
advocate Of the ticket which was triumph
ant in the next November. In May, 1873,
he was rendered by the president the post
of minister to Russia, which he declined.
In March of last year, he addressed let
ter to Senator Sherman on the Finances,
production which excited general atten-
ton both at the time and since. As
writer and a speaker upon this topic, he
has always advocated the resumption of
specie payment at the earliest practicable
moment.
In June, 1871, Judge Pierrepont re-
ceived the degree of Il L. d. from Column
bia college, Washington. Two years later
the same distinction was conferred upon
him by Yale.