The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-05
THE LATE JUSTICE EGAN
SPEECH OF HON. CARLETON HUNT be-
FORE THE NEW ORLEANS BAR.

At the earnest request of many Of the gentle
men who listened to the eloquent eulogium OF
the late Justice Egan, OF the Supreme Court
pronounced by Hon. Carleton Hunt. we publish
the same:
M President and Gentemen-The relations I
have enjoyed with the late Mr.. Justice Egan
make it proper ! should out Of respect to his
character, aud word to what has already been
40 we'll said about him.
My first acquaintance with the deceased
| Judge was FORMED in the Democratic Conyen-
tion OF 1874, n body Of which risk little In say
| Ing WINS made no In considerable part of the
| in Louisiana. Judge Egan was already known
| tn mo as n ctizsn Of standing in the community
where he lived, as ~ District Judge and rs n
| State Senator. When he entered the convention
| | noticed that no was received with much con
| 4ideraion ind listened to with great regard
Indeed. few IN m befs were treated with the same
distinction. Nobody, perhaps, in the whole
convention carried with him greater weight
| Examining into the reasons which made him
conspicuous, find them in the reputation he
| had tor sincerity OF purpose and devotion to
| duty. His general beariHg and manners were
beside most excellent, He Listened with atten-
| lion and bore opposition with perfect amiabili-
w. W. An example of self-respect in his own per-
| son he constantly observed to others the same
true civilily which no illustrated. His opinions
nothing but the TRUTH and his motives were
iel by all to be perfectly pure;
An thelends he aimed ut were his country's,
| his Gods and truths"
| In the disposition and composition OF the
deceased Judge the noble virtue Of courage was
very prominent Procee d ng in his case. as it
| neces sariy must always. from sense OF justice
| and love Of the right, from opposition 10 op
psession and hatred Of the wrong. this lent dig
even ,l admiration from surrounding persons,
| remember quite well being present mt one of
| the conferences contsmperaneousw with the con-
| yention. and a. which the Judge was speaker.
| It was numernusly attended by respectable
men. Judge Egan. rs was hts custom. was
wn g'h Wbdn he
he had developed his views to n certain
| degree. ono Of the bystanders interposed and
| inquired, whether the speaker would. in order
| to obtain success in the impending campaign
| favor % corrupt political alliance for the DemJ-
cratic party. A brief pause ensued. Tho Judge
| thereupon addressed himself to the intsrroga-
tor and calmly said he did not know what the
gentleman meant. The question was then re-
peated. In the twinklng Of an eye the who'll
changed. The skin seemed to adhere closer to
the bones OF his face; his Sigh, form dlated,
n 1T W "n@sv and became gb a%pospg
suddenly with the spirit Of manly resolution
became. II not beautiful from expression, at
20 b The fht Of a9 b s
rupter and actually glared at him. No one Of
the large company in attendance is likely ever
which followed at once. Il spurn tho proposi-
! ton" exclaimed the Judge, Il spit upon IT,
| am led to remark, in addition, that the do
ceased justice was an ardent patriot. In the
political consultations and movements which
led to the recent redemption OF Louisiana aud
the restoration Of the government of the people
he was au active and influential participant
His voice was often raised in behalf ofs the
liberties of the State. and the action OF no man
in the eOmmOnwt alth was considered more to
be- dep. nded upon.
II was. then, a natural result which brought
Judge Egan to the exalted office of Associate
Justice Of the Supreme Court. The event grew
out of bis own course and the tiia9s In which he
lived. His appointment was anticipated by
those who observed transpiring events and the
mr. N N Sn,
Since the deceased assembled the bench there
has been no vacancy created among the mem
decease He assumed his office in dark hour.
when civil war and revolution seemed to b. ian
pending. The approach to the court house
itself, when he was r-t to take his scat, was
surrounded by armed mon. A de f7nding force
was barricaded within. 1t happened to me to
stand near him at the gate when 1t was be-
was about to sweep the point at which
he was placed: The alarm was given and the
crowd fell back. People held their breath. |
cannot but remember at the Same time his per
feet coolness in ths midst Of threatening dan
ger; his steadfast c untenpnce, aad his I'M
shaken purpose to do. notwit hstandiUg every
impeachment and at every risk. his cit re duty by
taking pub lie possession. az he did in company
with his associates, of the office conferred upon
him by the true Governor Of Louisiana.
We saw even then that his health was impair
cd. and that as his official labors increased it
to the diligence, fitleIity and uprightness with
which he applied the abilities which were
voHchsafed him TO his arduous en ployment.
At the close Of the session Of the
court everybody noticed the increase of his
physical suffering, and the diminution in
his strength Notwithstanding, however no
one Anticipated his demise 50 early. and all
had hope to meet him again nj the present time.
But this fell sergeant Death. Is strict in his ar
rest and has mean - lille removed him forever.
HIS place here is to know him no longer.
To me. who have sol we'd twenty years at the
bar within these halls, how vocal they sesm
with cherished memoriesl ige Egans now
is added to tho rest. and / cannot but east a
flower upon his passing bier"
We are the stuff that dreams are made Of
And our little lives are rounded with sleep.