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

Judge Brecsc has lived Longer
practically, than scventy-cight years. Wit
him life was one grand problem. He devote,
more hours in every twenty-four to this so
luton than men usually do. With hin
life was always earnest. l never knew hin
to be idle. In his death we have sustained
great loss. As lawyers, we have lost
friend. The people have lost an able, con
scientious judge. This stroke is both
public and private calamity. He is dead
but what is deathl Kingdoms and empcr
ors pass away. Generation after genera
tons goes out into the dark valley of the
shadow of death, but there i.
an immortal part of mar
that never dies. Midst all the decay anG
the ever fading away of life, let us not for
get this. The flesh, that is but the abod,
of the immortal nature, has truly returned
to the dust from whence it comes; but the
spirit that shall never die, has returned to
God who gave it.
Death Is the crown of life;
Were death denied, poor man would live in vain
Death wounds to cure we fall, we rise, we reign;
Sprung from our letters, fastcn to the skies,
Where blooming Eden withers from our sight,
This king of terrors is the prince Of peace"
Mr.. d. I. Linegar followed and said
| wish to add few words to what has been
so truthfully and eloquently said by Mr.
Wheeler ! came to Illinois in 1853
located at Fairfield, in Wayne county, in
the practice Of the law, Among the first
things that attraced my attention in the re-
ports OF the supreme court Of the state
were opinions written by Judge Breese.
His opinions appeared to me peculiar in
style and forcibe in thought. | had never
seen Judge Breese, and knew nothing of
his character l was anxious to learn
something Of the character of
the man whose opinions had
so readily challenged my admiration. Ed
win Beecher was the judge Of the Twelfth
judicial circuit and resided at Fairfield. He
had just returned from Mt Vernon where
ne had been in attendance upon the
supreme court. called upon him and
said to him: Judge, | have been forcibly
struck with opinions in our reports deliver
ed by Judge Breese and have called to
learn something of the character of the
author" He said to me- Mr. Linecar,
Judge Breese is great man, and when you
meet him you will feel that you are in the
presence of human greatness
Shortly after that had the good fortune to
meet and make the personal acquaintance
of Judge Breesc. He was at that time
chief justice Of our supreme court. A per-
sonal acquaintance only increased my adj
miration of the man. / found him mon
arch in mind, citizen in his associations.
From that time up to the time of his death
/ met him frequently, only to admire him
the more. He was great man-great in
thought, great in experience, observation
and action. He was warm companion, a
devoted friend, and especially the friend Of
the young man.
/ had the good fortune and pleasure to
be present and hear his address to members
of the class admitted at the last term of the
supreme court at Mount Vernon. 1t is
pleasant to read that address, but it was
much greater pleasure to hear it delivered
by its author. That was the last time |
ever saw Judge Breese. Sidney Brcese is
dead but Judge Breese still lives and will
continue to live so long as We shall have
state and judiciary.
Mr.. w. B. Gilbert said.
In moments like the present, when as
sembled to do honor to the memory of
great, good and distinguished man-such
man as Mr. Justice Brccsc-w orls lost their
power and seemed inadequate to do Justice
to the occasion; that what had been said
by Mr.. Wheeler and Mr. Lansden but re-
echoed his own sentiment Of the eminent.
honored judge, whose death was mourncd
by the entire profession that he heartily
endorsed every word that had been spoken;
and, born himself in The old town of Kas.
kaskia, the early LONE Of Judge Breesc, he
had known the deceased from his carlychilG-
hood-his ia her and his 6 andfather before
him had been the early friends and acquai!
tances OF the honorcd dead, and that he
(the speaker had enjoyed a continued ac-
qua'ntance with and received encourage.
ment from him ever s'lcc the spcake. s first
admission to the bar in ibis Safe; that he
should never, while memory lasted, forget
the warm and heartfelt greeting Judge
lirccsc he'd given him upon their first meet
ing aiter the speaker had commenced the
the practice Of the law in Illinois. He said
Are you indeed my old friend, Miles Gil
berts SOM why, my young iriend knew
you before you were born; allow me to
welcome you and give you a hca,,y greeting
to the bar Of this greet Sm,e;' that
ever since that hour he had known Judge
Erccsc well and Intimately and received his