The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-30

civilians there is not any name that occupies
more honorable or conspicuous place than his.
Its history would be grossly incomplete without
any mention of his life and public services. His
name is written in the records of its courts as
lawyer and as judge; it is the journals of its
Legislature; it may be found among the archives
of its executive department, and it has an i'm
portant place in Its military annals. Wherever
it appears the State has reason to be proud of a
name that was never stained by single vice
or sulied by one dishonorabe act
whose owner always and everywhere wore upon
his breast the whole flower of a blameless life.
The fierce light which beats upon every candi-
date for political distinction disclosed no spot
upon his character; SANDER was dsarmed by its
purity and detraction was stricken dumb.
Mortuary literature aboun6s in benevolent falsifi-
cations butitcan be guilty of none in its unstinted
praise of him. The most sensitive conscience Is
not strained In the cOmmemoration Of his virtues,
or by the concealment of any shortcomings 1t
would be impossible to overrate him, for the
highest eulogy is the simple truth. In every act
and relation of his long and useful life the sim
plicity and goodness Of his nature were mani
Tested, as they were revealed in every lineament
Of his singularly benignant features.
AS lawyer he was conscientious. painstaking
and Industrious safe and judicious counsellor,
faithful to the interests of his clients and regard
full of his own duties to the court. He had the
implicit confidence of the courts, because they
knew he would not consciously mislead them or
suffer them to be misled. His forensic triumphs
were due to the sincerity and earnestness, the
skill and judgment with which he advocated and
managed cause instead of the arts and devices
of the orator, for which he INDUCED quick and
humorous contempt. The bar Of Indiana may
have had more brilliant members, but it never
had one more justly distinguished for the depth
and accuracy of his professional learning
His legal period of service the bench was
long enough to demonstrate his peculiar fitness
for the discharge of judicial functions. and to
afford an unmistakable earnest of subsequent
distinction as judge, had he chosen to continue
as one
Indiana has never had wiser or better ad-
mlnistraton of its affairs than while he was 1T;
Governor He gave to the administration of
them dignity and elevation of character which
had its source in himself.
In the field and at the head of his regiment
he displayed tranquil courage and
calm fortitude which never deserted him under
any of the vicissitudes Of war. striking illus
tratlon OF these qualities is afforded by act of
his while he was Provost Marshal General at In
dianapolis An unruly and belligerent mob of
soldiers was threatening with destruction the of
hce of a newspaper which had incurred their
hostility He went among them alone and at
great personal risk, and stopped the assault as
soon as it began 1t was at q time when the union
sentiment was intense and proscriptive, and his
interference in behalf of a newspaper that had
become the object of its passionate fury was sim
ply heroic. His sense of justice could not be
subjugated by popular clamor, and it was broad
his associates and comrades as the enemies of his
country.
The patriotism which made him soldier actu-
ated him as a citizen, and it never degenerated
into mere partisanship. In his social and do
nestle life the virtues which marked his pro-
fessional and public career had their counterpart.
The ''honor, love, obedience and troops of
friends" which, according to the poet, SHOULD
accompany old age. )" have followed him to the
edge fsthe grave, and attest the universal and
heartfelt esteem in which he was held.
He has left fragrant memory and the precious
legacy of good example, which through many
years that are yet unborn, will stimulate and en-
courage the vrtuous efforts of those who have
known aud survived him. What Antony said of
the dead Brutus is applicable to Conrad Baker:
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, This mani! ="
NOBLE G. BUTLER,
SOLOMON CLAYPOoL,
w. H. Fl. MILLER
JOHN N. BUTLER,
WILLIAM p. FIsHBAoK
Committee.