The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-06-07

line of tediousness by reiteration, and
they contained thoughts as well as words.
In his intercourse with courts he was not
always free from irritability, but he was
never trivial nor deceptive. His concep-
ton of a lawyers duty to client would
not justify any attempt to mislead the
court for the clients benefit. He was
firm in his adherence to opinions once
formed, and he did not readily yield
them at the suggestion of the court, nor
modify them in consequence of opposing
argument; but question from the bench
always received from him candid, if
not defepential, answer.
He had a high sense of professional
honor. During the many years which
he was engaged in practice here, it has
never been charged that he broke faith
with fellow attorney, nor that his pro-
fessional word, once given, was not
scrupulously kept. This may seem faint
praise to persons who know nothing of
the trials and temptations which beset
lawyer; of the misrepresentation to
which jealousy and rivalry give birth; of
the misunderstanding consequent upon
hurried transaction Of affairs, wherein
terms and stipulations are often unwrit-
ten and rest wholly in memory. But the
lawyer who has passed through all these
ordeals and "has kept the Wilderness of
his SOUL" leaves to his children legacy
which they should prize.
Mr.. Sibree was admitted to the bar
when he was about forty years of age
period Of life at which few men venture
into new field of labor, where sharp
competition and incessant conflict are
the toiler's lot. During several years
thereafter, he was the magistrate of one
of our local courts, in which a large
amount of business was done under his
administration. Had he entered the
profession in early life, he would, it is
believed, have attained very high dis
tinction as an advocate. AS it was, his
address to jury was always strong, and
was sometimes powerful. He could be
plausible and argumentative in style, or
impassioned and denunciatory, accord
ing to his mood, or as the exigencies of
his case required. Before his health
failed, he was probably without an equal
at this bar in the power of invective.
The man of whom we speak to-day,
was long among the best known and
most influential members of this COM
munity. In all public movements of
which he approved, he was usually
leader, until physical decay enforce
rest and retirement. Prior to that time,
and while he resided here, his voice was
heard and his opinions were invited at
nearly every public meeting having for
its object the promotion OF the material
or educational interests of our people.
In everything pertaining to the improve
ment of our public schools, he was es-
pecially active; and by his death those
schools have lost firm supporter and
an able friend.
My acquaintance with Mr.. Sibree be-
gan come seventeen years ago His of
fairs were then quite prosperous, and
his interest in matters of public or polit-
ical import was manifest. His good
offices and friendship were then as much
sought as they were valuable; and rarely,
if ever, were they denied to anyone who
was truly deserving. But he was close
student of character, and could quickly
distinguish a man from the semblance of
a man. For the former, he always had
regard; for the latter, he had none; and
he was just as ready to make avowal of
his feelings to the one as to the other.
He was no dissembler. He had both
friends and enemies, as every man of his
temperament must have, and he never
turned his back upon either; he was as
true to the former as he was fearless
toward the latter. His opposition, while
it was always vigorous, was still so open
and manly, and his social qualities were
SO genial and attractive, and he was so
generous toward an honorable opponent
that in many instances the most cordial
relations became established between
himself and men who had once been hos
tile to him.
Mr.. Sibree's domestic attachments
constituted a feature of his character
which those who were intimate with him
could not fail to observe. His love for
his family was as deep and abiding as the
human heart can know. Not many years
since, the shadow of death fell within
the circle of his home for the first time,
and it was to him shadow that was
never lifted. His sorrow, like his affec-
ton, could end but with his life.
We may not now know which one of
those within this circle of ours shall be
the first to take possession of that inner
itance which is the common birthright
of peasant and of prince; ''six feet of
mother earth" wherein to sepulcher his
bones. But whoever it may be, when
his time shall have come, and his life
boat is slipping from its moorines to float
away upon the tide that sets forever TO-
ward an unknown shore, and he shall
pause for moment to contemplate the
record of his life, the grief of final part
ing will be softened and the cause for
self-reproach be greatly lessened, if in
that record he can see convincing proof
that they who knew him best will, when
he is gone, hold him as long in kindly
remembrance as Henry Sibree shall be
held by us.
BY JUDGE gibson.