Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-04

Tribute of the Members of the Chatham
Bar to the Memory of their Deceased
Brother

Tribute OF the Members of the Chatham
Bar to the Memory of their Deceased
Brother.
At the opening of the session Of the
Superior Court yesterday, Solicitor Gen
eral Hon. Walter G. Charlton, Chairman
of a committee, consisting of Capt. G. A
Mercer and John w. Wilson, Esq, ap-
pointed to prepare a suitable tribute Ia
the memory of the late Louis FL. de
Montmollin, arose and read the following:
Nay 1t please Your Honor: At meeting of the
bar of Chatham county, held on the 29th day OF
March, A. ID. 1884, for the purpose of taking
appropriate action on the death of our late
brother, Louis H. de MOntmOllin, il was
unanimously resolved that a committee there
appointed should report to this honorable
court suitable memorial embodying the
feelings of regret with which this bar learned
of the sad event which had called its men,
bers together. In pursuance of this resolu-
ton the committee so appointed submit to
your Honor the following remarks, with the
request that they be spread upon the minutes
of this court and a copy transmitted to the
family Of the deceased.
Louis Henry de Montmollin was born in
savannah, Ga, on the 18th day of December,
A. d. 1916
OF unusual mental endOwments and great
energy of character and pertinacity of pur-
pose, at the age of q years he came to the bar
OF this circuit well equipped for successful
and useful career.
The untoward incidents natural to loss in
wealth clrcumseribed the limits of his profess
siOnal success although his capacity and
wonderful power of prolonged and absorbing
application remained unimpaired. 1t is doubt
full II any member of the bar possessed in
equal degree the marvellous legal memory
which distinguished him-the ability to recall
the adjudcatiOns of the courts in detail and
at once and with equal facility to identify
the sources of his information. In the con-
duct OF his cases nothing escaped the watch
tul care with which he guarded the interests
OF his clients. To shrewdness he eonjOined a
boldness of thought and expression which. on
more than one occasion, resulted in the expo
sure before courts and juries of public and
private abuses. Beyond the precincts of the
court house he carried into his duties as a
citizen the same fearless demeanor and re-
markable energy which were his character
istes.
As an Alderman of Savannah, he rendered
valuable and intelligent aid in the conduct of
municipal affairs, and much of the remedial
legislation Of late years passed in reference to
this county, is referable to his wise counsel
ing and energetic persistence.
Up to short time before his death. Mr.. de
MOntmollin held the important Office Of
United States Commissioner and his exer-
else of the enormous powers incident to that
position has not even a suspicion of abuse.
But his political ambition did not extend to
the seeking of office. As he had served his
country as private in her armies, so he was
content to accept the modest role of the citi-
zen, and to give cheerfully and without stint
to his fellow citizens the benefit of his dis
Greet counsel and large political experience.
Probably no one save those who were in
tlmately associated with him will ever know
the full extent of his devotiOns to public IN
terest under circumstances when no pOssiblli-
ty of individual benefit existed. Suffice it to
say that In the appOrtiOnment of that labor
which deY0lYes upon each good citizen, and
particularly upon the lawyer-he bore I'M
complalnlngly and well public burdens large
ly in excess of such as could have been legiti-
mately imposed upon him.
Mr. de Montmollln was something beyond
the mere lawyer. His exceptionally temper
ate life enabled him to apply himself with all
the vigOr and freshness of an unclouded
mind to the enjoyment of intellectual
pursuits, and the qualification of refined tastes
With a wit which cut like knife into those
things which merit the antagOnism of healthy
minded men, he possessed a humor rich and
hearty from which no amusing trait of char
acter or suggestion OF circumstances could
successfully conceal itself. His race in life
had but just started at a time when the pro-
fessiOnal man begins to mark the progress
which attends his efforts and to feel that his
step is firmer on the path he is treading
disease seized him in the fullness Of a robust
health aud hurried him into eternity. In his
death this bar recognizes the loss Of one Of its
most intelligent members, and that profound
regret which waits upon the taking off of
vigorous and useful manhoOd-the swift des-
structlOn OF energy and force and acquire
ments-it mingles its sorrow with those who
lament the loss of an affectiOnate son and low
ing father, and extends to them its sincere
sympathy.
In presenting the above Mr.. Charlton
delivered few very eloquent words in
eXtOllment of the deceased, which he
was so competent of saying owing to his
intimate acquaintance with Mr.. Mont
mollin's inner life. He alluded touch
ingly to his private griefs, saying they
were so poignant as to make any man
become either servIle, dissipated or proud.
The latter was the effect had upon Mr..
MOntmollin. Behind his great pride and
natural, happy nature he kept from the
world all that he suffered.
Capt. George A. Mercer seconded the
resolutions offered, in tribute that was
indelibly impressed upon the memory of
all who were in the court room. For
thirteen years the speaker and the de-
ceased had occupied the same office. ar
if he had discovered his faults he likewise
knew of his many redeeming virtues. He
alluded to Mr.. de MontmOlIin's great
learning in admiralty law, and said he
was sure he did not disparage any other
member of the bar when he said that he
was the finest admiralty lawyer he ever
knew. The deceasnad(. was man of won
derful industry. He was never idle, His
habits were pure. He was never known
to utter a profane word, and the most
beautiful trait in his character was the
calmness with which he appro ached his
end.
At the conclusion of Capt. MERGERS re-
marks Judge Adams said: ''The paper
contains a just and beautiful tribute to
the qualities of our deceased brother. 1t
is impossible to add to the touching and
exquisite elOquence. The court adopts
the resolution and orders it spread upon
the minutes and a copy furnished the
family Of the deceased.