The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-07-02

has brought to the discharge of his ofiicia
duties, master intellect, firm determine
ton to do right and a will strong enough
to carry into execution that which he be.
lievcd to be right. He was not seeker
after place, yet the people elected him, and
the best evidence of their confidence in him
as man and lawyer is found in the fact
that he was upon the bench twenty-nine
years, eight upon the circuit and twenty
one upon the supreme bench. He served q
full term as United States SENATOR ending
in 1S49, and was speaker of the house of
representatives of this state in 1850 But
why speak of these thingss History has re-
corded and will record them. We come to-
day, as his friends, to speak more especially
oHthcse qualities which'hc possessed that
endcared him to us as man md as a
friend; to touch those tender chords,
reaching to-day from the far beyond, back
to our hearts, Weakening memories of the
virtues of him who has crossed the mystic
river. The deeds Of his public life may
be chronicled by the unfeeling pen Of the
historian, but to US who knew something
Of his hearts life, there springs desire to
pay better tribute to his memory.
Nearly twenty years ago it was my priv
| ilege to become acquainted with Judge
Breese, and though he belonged to one
generation, and to another, there sprang
up friendship between us that continued
to his death. l forgot while enjoying his
society that he was an old man and a
young, and believe he forgot it, too. His
feelings were always youthful He was
fond of the society of the young, and his
heart never seemed to grow old.
The young man ever found in him firm
friend, and here to-day wish to bear testi-
mony to the fact, and in doing so feel as
sured l will find hearty Endorsement from
every young man in the State, that one of
the browning virtues of Judge Breese's
life, was his uniform kindness and courtesy
to young lawyers. I remember we'll the
first argument I made in the supreme
court, how, like oil on the troubled waters,
came the kind words of encouragement
romJudge Breese when Twas weighed down
with the fear that had made total fai'.
ure. He never seemed to forget that he
was once young man, and the trials and
vicissitudes through which the young
lawyer is called to pass were never forgot
ten by him. / shall ever hold him in CRATE
full remembrance for his kindness to me,
and in this feeling know am not alone.
Three weeks ago to-day was with him at
Mount Vernon. The interview did not i'm
press me then as it + as since the sad tidings
Of his death reached me. As now look at
it, think he had premonition Of death.
He spoke of it, and I remem-
Der that he said II want TO die
with my harness on" Yes, grand old man,
to die as he had lived.
THAT man lives greatly,
Whate'e his fate or fame who greatly dies"
Judge Breese died greatly. He la
bored in his official position up to al
most the hour of his death. His towering
intellect bowed not till the pulses ceased
to beat. With him the lamp of life did
not flicker and family die away, but was
extinguishcd in an instant.
"The ja's of our years are t 70 SCI
years and ten; and if by reason of strength
they be four score years, yet is their
strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon
cut off, and we fly AVA
Judge Breese had nearly reached the
four score years. That he lived to such a
ripe old age, and retained all the mental
vigor ofhis middle life up to the day Of his
death is remarkable in this western country
believe that his indomtabc will added
years to his life. He has come to his
grave, in full age, like a shock of corn
cometh in, in his season.
AS friend, Judge Brcese never
disappointed anyone. 1t cannot be said Of
him that he was friend to all mankind,
| would not say it Of him if could. We
lose that opportunity Of measuring mans
affection by contrast if all are treated alike,
There may be hearts large enough, and
warm enough TO take in the whole race,
but it seems to me that friendship in such
a case would be no virtue. He was
courteous man under all circumstances,
and as | think of him to-day with all the
manners Of the old time gentleman,
mourn again that the last link in the chain
which bound us to that school of man has
been broken Those who were his compan-
ions sixty years ago are | believe all gone and
in the death Of Judge Brcese at this time,
we have suffered On additional loss, as he
had in preparation, "reminiscences Of early
life n Illinois before it became a stale, but
trust it is N such AN advanced state that
it may yet be given to the public.
should perhaps speak of the deceased
no "a Julun In thiu nnu;,inn | fret gor him