Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-01-24
The Death arJuare Bradford.


csus-d no snrprise to this community.
For seversl days it has awaited the in
sviisbls event with that respectful sym
pa.ky and iipdly inter.s, wLiuh, TO the
credit Of our civilization, ia a necessary
incident Of the mortal illness
OF one who had been marked
Amopg his fellows. The-s cf
onr citize s to whom 1, y. os
susps- ,hiug 10 wax along the streets
Wilmii gton without r.eogi.iz ug the face
of every pa-ser, will feel ssnse OF PET
sossl loss in the death OF ons who wa
always su important factor among the
forc=s whose resultant Ia our city o.
TO day.
To the new comers who thrOug our
streets, the Judges personality has teet
bounded BY his { fl .isl character but to
older citiz.1s, hia death means another
vacsIcy in rsnks now thinning very
rapidly, and those born here aud new
bssring the burden aud hes, Of the day
think oi him As one who, from their boy
hood, has woD respsot for 3 manly char
soter, an upright life and an honored
career.
Asa lawyer, Judge Bradford belonged
to q generation whose traditions conferred
upon the bar large opportunities aud
held 1t answsrab.e for grave responsibili-
ties. At time when accidental success
was far less common than now, he com.
mspded that respect from his associates
and that confidence from the business
commit unity, which were sure indications
Of professional ability and personal
worth. As an advocate at tht
bar of our courts, as private
counsellor, as public prosecu
tor, as a legal adviser OF the munich
pslity, as representative in the Legis
laturs, he had 30 d-mesned himself as u
secure aud retain the public confidence
Hence his elevation to the bench seemed
80 ns,ural as to be accepted without dis
sent as the proper and the anticipated
appointment.
No man was freer from the arts or th,
efforts OF the demagogue, and yet he wal
then the acknowled leader of his partJ
snd had 1t been In msjority would hav,
bee the recipient Of it's highest politics
honors in his State.
Asa Judge, he was subj to severe
tests. He sat upon the bench OF th'
Federal courts during period in which
party feeling was at times almost in
oandeaeent and in court from Whiat
controversies, in their nature political
could not always be excluded Yet IL,
most generous testimony was borne, b,
those who we're politically op
and impartiality. Probably no lawye
who ever tried a case before hiui
even under the strels OF an adverse ieci
sion, felt the slightest doubt Of tn
honesty Of his judgments or the rectitud
OF his purposes. Though by nature pos
seased of a highly nervous organization
he was singularly patient and a.lsntiv
aud his courtesy is sttested with marke,
unanimity by the members Of the bar
He always manifested an earnest dssir
TO reach Just and right CONCLUSIONS an
his opinions indicated patient investi a
tion and carefully wrought conclusions
Judge Bradford was a man OF somewhs :
retiring disposition and Of late years hi
tendency was increased by decline {
his physical forces which waa quits az
parent to those nearest 10 him Couse
quently 1t wss only amor his friend
that his chsracteris.ics were well under
stood. l. may fairly BE- sald llat he stoo
that supreme test Of human eharact4
that those who knew him best Appreciate :
him most highly, wh = 81 IL
community a. large, bott. psrsona j
and officially, ne received, a. he 4.
served, its respsc; and esteem. Psrhsr
no better tribute could b. pad to hi
memory than to voice what ". aglisy
vii! be the unanimous wi4h Of 90
ois.Eens that he may be eueceeded b
soDe oDs not lsss honest, eapAbl4 an
worthy than himself