Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-01-24
ITEMS OF LOCAL INTEREST
DEATH OF EX-PROTHO NY
CHARLES BEASTEN.

CHARLES BEAsTEN.
The Memorial Resolutions an,
Addresses of the Members on III
Death Of Judge II. q. Bradford
The Funeral Obsequfes.
The members of the bar OF this distric
assembled in the United States oour
room Saturday morning TO pay tribute t
the memory of the late Judge Bradford
| The Hon. Leonard Il. Wales was cslle,
upon to preside and W. T. Lyman, Esq.
| was chosen secretary.
The object of the meeting was state,
by the chair and Attorney General Gray
District Attorney Patterson and Anthon,
Higgins, Benjamin Nields, William c
Sprusnce and William G. Whiteley. Bsqs
were appointed committee 10 draft reso
lutions OF respect. The oommitte retired
to an ante room aud after a short recess
returned and reported the following:
WHEREAS, The bar Of New Castle coun ty
have learned with profound sorrow Of tn,
death OF the Honorable Edward G. Bradford
district judge Of the United States for the
district Of Delaware,
| Resotjed, That we would bear our testi
mony to his long and honorable career at the
bar where he was marked as an advocate Of
distinguished ability and as a learned, wise
and sagacious counsellor.
| ResolUed, That by his sound learning and
| judgment, by his knowledge of the law and
strong good SENSE by his eminent justpess,
fairness and impartlality, his kind heart and
| his pure and lofty character, he worthily dis
| charged the duties of his exalted office as
| good and upright judge.
| Resoloed, That by his blameless life his
| simplicity, straightforwardness and honesty,
| by his public spirit and fearless courage in
the discharge of duty, he furnished an ex-
ample worthy of all imitation, honorable to
himself and rich legacy to his descendants.
Resoloed, That we tender to his family our
respectful sympathy in their bereavement.
Resoloed, That these resolutions be pre-
sented to the superior court Of the State for
New Castle county, and to the United States
courts for the district OF Delaware.
In moving the adoption Of the resolu-
tions, Anthony Higgins. Esq referred to
the decline in Judge Bradford's health,
alluded to his ancestry and spoke of his
good qualities. He had found in the
deceased uDion of the loftiest devotion
to principle with an absolute fearlessnsss
The late judge had, If ever man had,
the courage Of his convictions, and he
had an intellectual, as we'll as moral
honesty that never swerved. He was as
pure and transparent as the diamond
itself; he had no secrets Of his own his
thoughts and hts actions were as open as
the day he carried his heart on his
sleeve duplioity or deoeit had no place
in bis nature and he only knew such
the bar was highly honorable and
tn I,atfn.,,s,I.d 1,
was careful, safe and sagsoious
counsellor, but his forte was in the trial
of causes; he possessed Ia rare degree
the power of eloquent argument, with a
vivid imagination, fine command of
language, a keen, legal acumen and an
earnestness that carried everything be.
fore 1t. His elevation to the bench was
the consequence of the unanimous action
and cooperation OF the bar, while it
elioited the warm approval Of the public.
He had that qualification which he often
spoke OF rs the most important for q
Judge to possess-s good heart. Naturally
impetuous and impatient, given to dis
cussing rather than to listening, yet on
the bench he was patient and tOrbearing
to counsel, if possible even to fault.
He was gentle. kind aud considerate to
the last degrees. He was just and impair
tisl aud, AZ a judge, he never knew party
or friend. Although he was always
ready to correct his errors, his decisions
were seldom appealed from and almost
never reversed.
William g. Whiteley, Esq in second
ing Mr. Higgins IN, tion, stated that
thers was only difference OF 81 days be.
tween the ages of himself and the de-
ceased, aud said the late Judge aud he
had attended the same preparatory
school and college; that they both had
studied law i'll this city +; that they hsd
commenced practiciug together, And that
they had been together as men and boys
for nearly 65 years. Referring to the
character OF the deceased, Mr.. Whitley
said his walk Was that of Christian
gentleman. He WAS not very demonstra.
tive in his nature, yet he was kind and
forbearing. While he was not attractive
to some who did not know him, he was
liked by all with whom ne was acquainted.
lie was honest aad cutspoken, and his
| conduct as man end citizen was open
as daylight. In 1856 he stood whsre the
the msjcrity of his party stood in 1864.
His traits OF character were much to be
admired, loved and praised.
District Attorney Patterson also Sec
onded Mr.. Higgins' motion, and alluded
to the close relations which had existed
between himself and the deceased and
stated that nothing but good could bs said
Of lhe late jurist. He briefly referred to
Judge Bradford's usefulness in the COM
munity and said he was au agreeable
friend and & polished gentleman. Mr..
Patterson heartily endorsed every senti-
nient of the resolutions and also what
had been said by the preceding speakers,
and promised TO make more extended re-
marks bsfore tine United States courts on
the proper occasion.
William G. Spruance, Esq alluded to
to the deceased in language b-fttiug the
occasion. He pronounced Mr.. Bradford
an agreeable ally aud dangerous oppo-
pent at the bar, and believed that no
more conscientious or righu.mipded man
ever sat on the bench. No man had a
higher standard of Judicial rectitude than
had Judge Bradford aud no man mess-
ured up so nigh to that stsrd as he Many
OF his decisions, II published, would,
in Mr.. Spruanoe's opinion, bs of great
value to the profession and would also
psrpetuate his memory rs an able jurist.
This purity OF the private life Of the de-
ceased, said the speaker, was without
spot or blemioh, aud his ready and
sparkling wit will not soon bs forgotten.
Love for bis memory, gratitude for his
public service and the worth Of his eX.
ample would long be- remembered and
cherished by our children.
S. Rodmond Smith, Esq expressed
gratitude for the warm aud unreserved
friendship with which Judge Bradford
had honored him and feelingly spoke oil
his affection and admiration for the de-
ceased. With the judge, ssid he, there
we're. no halfway measures /; whether ht
liked or disliked it was with equa
generosity; he was direct and TO tbs
point in all he did; he was bright
ardent and impulsivo and, when,in health
his conversation was sparkling and viva
oious; he had Keen appreciation of wi
and abounded in repartee and humorous
cono- -ptions and, while he enjoyed goot
company, he was averse to seeking new
sequsintances or filing the role of a mer,
iociety man. He WAS powerful
ard brilliant orator; he hat
earnest religious convictions and although
a man of strong passions, was one OF tn,
purest, most exalted men in his mora
views and practices that ever met. II,
was man OF probity, who disdained
equivooation and indirection, and OF sc
much upIightnAss Of character that his
friends sometimes thought he disorimi
mated against them because of thei
known relations. His desire wa