Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-11-18

he cultivated conversation, and, I have
thought, not onsy for its pleasures, but for sit
benefits to him. Certain it is he shone in social
discourse with brillancy not often equalled. In
happy hours, when in health and spirits, who more
delightful than he? His rapid and easy speech
was wise or witty the time and subject suited,
but always sweet in the simplicity and purity Of
the language he employed. He was ever COLI
splcuouS for elegant dietion IN ordinary speech !;
nor did the tumult of emotion passion which
sometimes possessed him mar this accomplishment
or lead him to yulgarity. 1t rather secuted to
heighten and intensity his powers, and clothe his
expressions with a richer color.
Thus the seG-impOsed habits and discipline of
his entire life finished and perfected all the powers
o. the man. lie met all the points of Bacons
aphorisn; reading made him full man confer
ence ready man and writing an exact man.
Viewing his finished character and faculties as
trained and accomplished by his course of educa-
tion, and discarding the faults of temperament
and want of self control which blighted his life
casting up the account on his credit side only how
spendidI and magnificent does he appear the
ideal and mirror of professional power and glory
His learning of the law was thorough and pro
found. To him the science of Jurisprudence
an open book, every page familiar 10 his eye. He
was trained i'll its technical learning and versed
III the long line of precedents and judicial opinions
which support and explain its nice distinctions
and sometimes arbitrary doctrines But he was
plete case lawyer. He knew the law far more
profoundly. He had traversed the great super
structure with patient examination from its dee D
est foundations to the last pinnacle on the turret
He saw it not merely builded thing, acknowl-
edging It's parts and relations because he found
them He knew the principles on which It's
foundations rests, which support its noble walls,
and partition its manifold hdepartmentS which
inspire its pillars and its arches which gild its
towers with light and fill its secret recesses with
the blessing of justice for men. He knew it as an
architect who might have builded it, and who
could finish, i'll harmony with the whole, the parts
on which his duty set him to work.
And not alone the common law--the law of ma
ture as applied to the relations of men among
themselyes-but his perception OF the complex
and delicate relations OF the different portions and
civil divisions Of the union and of the various du
ties and powers of its numerous officers and tribu-
mails, federal and state, was singulary acute and
comprehensive. Though a native of another
land, he had from hoyboOd profoundly contem-
plated the wisdom of the fathers Of this country
of his adoption and he was fit and ready when
the hour came to give unanSwerahle expression
to that discriminating judgment of this court in
The State against Doyle, which compelled the fed
eral supreme court to recede from its former de-
claration that statute of this state was void un
der the federal constitution, and TO suffer its
JOrcement according to the mandate of this tribu-
nal. In that result this bench and its bar as well
the rights of the people, gained signal illustra
ton.
Founded on such learning, our departed leader
could not but be a great lawyer. But his profess
sional powers were not only strong; they shOne
with Splendor. he was great advocate and
great orator. In many cause in the forum, upon
many platform before the people. he has ex-
hibited the eoquence and action which, with their
opportunities, would have ranked him among the
great names of the world. And though the
memory of the advocate be local and generally
fades with his generation, he has left in bequast
to his professional brethren such examples of
forensic eloquence they will not willingly let
die"
But he will be longest remembered and honored
for his work the chief justice of this court.
He came to this great place, every one
should come who is worthy to occupy 1t. He
me cain the ripeness of years and experience. af
ter long life Of labor at the bar. lie came
laden with profound knowledge of the science he
was to administer. He came not from OBJ
scure corner, to sit in judgment on arguments
greater than his understanding; he was pushed by
skillfu intrigue into shameful reward for
mere party service; but sought and taken from the
topmost place of professional leadership, which, by
merit he had worthily won, he came tit to govern
and control where for so long he had confessedly
led
He came TO this judgment seat with an honor
able ambition as to the crowning glory of de-
voted professional life; but he came reverently,
with an exalted sense of the responsibilities he
assumed and noble devotion of all his faculties
and strength to the performance of its duties. He
came to rest on no pillow of repose, but to toll
and build that he might still higher elevate the
court and the law, and e1alt justice on earth.
And so he bent to his task with all the con-
seientious intensity of his nature. There fell to
his lot to decide and elucidate important and in
teresting questions as any which have came be-
fore this bench since its institution. l need not
say in this presence with what satisfaction he ex-
pounded the views of the court. His opinious
in every circumstance which excites the admira-
ton of the lawyer. 1t is matter of wonder
that a great university of the land has chosen
them for commendation to students of law az
models of the purity, beauty and strength Of the
English tongue. They will carry his name with
growing honor to generations Of students and
lawyers yet unborn.
Few indeed, are the law books, where so mnch
of excellence in literature and law is combined to
the advantage of both; where the lamp of litera-
ture so iluminates the dark obscurties of the law
without ray of meretricious light, where the
strength of jurisprudence SO informs werds of
beautiful harmony with a solid majesty like
Grecian architecture.
We can but remember too, that much of this
crowninp labor was done when his odd frame was
broken by the weight of years and infrnities, and
torn by conyulsions of passion, when his hours Of
rest were disconsolate and lonely or racked with
pain.
For with that justice he would have unsparing-
ly administered we cannot omit from view his
faults and imperfections. They too were great.
Principal of all was his sudden and violent tenn
per- The electric current responds no quicker to
a disturbing influence, than did his wrath to an
offensive touch and its explosions are not more
furious than the outbursts of his anger. His
passions burned when lighted like flaming vol
cano. shaking him with fearful violence, and
belching the hot lava of his wrath On everything
and everybody which stood in opposition. He
f1l fnfi iho Ina n ntrOI
For the chiefest misfortune of his life was his
weakness in presence of his own passion. That
subdued and governed him. turning his power to
his own destruction. 1t made him terrible TO his
friends as well as his enemies tyranical, perhaps
sometimes cruel where he should have been gentle
and loving; suspicious and jealous where he should
have been confding; violent and hostile, where he
ought to have been friendly. 1t led him into false
positions from which he was teo proud to with
draw. 1t stood in the path of MS advancement
among men, like q flaming sword. 1t turned
friends into enemies, and froze off the tendrs Of
love. 1t brought humiliation, grief and Loneliness
to his soul and his hearthstone.
Let us drop the veil over the contemplation 0f
these infrnities Of great and noble mind. II. as
l believe, these Affections of character were mostly
but manifestations of physical disease, which, at
varying periods and with unequal intensity, spread
inflammation through the sensitive fibre Of his
brain, the fault not his own. The tear OF pity
must fall at view of the suferings his nature In
hicted For, to whatever his infrmities were due,
he was their victim and the great sufferer. with
his death, their consequences mainly cease nat ne
leaves behind is the product and the legacy OF his
worth and virtue. The GOOD he has done IVes
after him. let the evil be inferred with his bones
When review his life, let Us turn from its
darkness and weakness, and rather view hln IN
periods Of light and power. Look on him IN the
happy hours OF health. Thus shall you perceive
the possibilities of his forces and better take tbs
lesson from his intrnities.