Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
No. A..

When he did throw himself into the wrong
side of a cause he usually made an argument
which it was much easier to overrule than
to answer. With reference to his erroneous
opinions, he might have used the words of
Virgil, which he quoted SO happily in Eaken
rs Raub, az S. & R.) for another purpose.
81 Pergcma dertera defendi potuH,
HaO detensd .tuisset.
But he was of all men the most devoted
and earnest lover Of truth for its own sake
When subsequent reflection convinced him
that he had been wrong, he took the first Op-
portunity to acknowledge it. He was often
the earliest to discover his own mistakes, as
we'll as the foremost to correct them.
He was infexibly honest. The judicial
ermine was as unspOtted when he laid it
aside for the habiliments of the grave, as it
was when he first assumed it. l do not
mean to award him merely that common
place integrity which it is no honor to have,
but merely disgrace to want. He was not
only incorruptible, but scrupulously, deli
cately, conscientiously free from all wilful
wrong, either in thought, word or deed.
Next after his wonderful intellectual en-
dOwments the benevolence of his heart was
the most marked feature of his character.
He was most genial spirit, atfectiOnate and
kind to his friends, and magnanimous to his
enemies. Benefits received by him were en-
graved on his memory as on a tablet of brass;
injuries were written in sand. He never let
the sun 60 down upon his wrath. A little
dash of bitterness in his nature would per-
haps have given more consistent tone to
his character and greater activity to his
mind. He lacked the quality which DR..
Johnson admired. He was not a good hater.
His accomplishments were very extraOr-
dinary He was born a musician, and the
natural talent was highly cultivated. He
was connoisseur in painting and sculpture
The whole round of English literature was
familiar to him. He was at home among
the ancient classics. He had perfectly
clear perception Of all the great truths Of
natural science. He had studied medicine
carefully in his youth and understood it
well. His mind absorbed all kinds of knowl-
edge with scarcely an effort
Judge Gibson was well appreciated by his
llow-citizens-not so highly as he deserv-
ed for that was scarcely possible. But adj
miration of his talents and respect for his
honesty were universal sentiments. This
was strikingly manifested when he was
elected in 1851, not withstanding his ad
vanced age, without partizan connection,
with no emphatic political standing, and
without manners, habits or associations cal
culated to make him popular beyond the
circle that knew him intimately. With all
these disadvantages, it is said, he narrowly
escaped what nigh. have been a dangerous
distinction; nomination on-each- of the
opposing tickets. Abroad he has for many
years been thought the great glory of his
native State.
Doubtless the whole Commonwealth will
mourn his death; we all have reasons to do
so. The profession of the law has lost the
ablest of its teachers, this court the bright
est of its ornaments, and the people stead
fast defender of their rights, so far as they
were capable of being protected by judicial
authority. For myself, know no form of
words to express my deep sense of the loss
we have suffered. I can most truly say of
him what was said long ago, concerning one
of the few among mortals who were greater
than he: II did love the man and do honor
his memory, on this side idolatIy, as much
as any"