Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-04-23
Mlisrellaueuns &eadiug.
EMINENT LAWYERS.
PRENTISS, OCONNER, FILLMORE AND
CLEVELAND.

PRENTIss. OCoNNER, FILLMORE AND
CLEVELAND.
In 1899 there appeared in the national
arena phenomenal man. doubt if our
century has seen in this country another
so rapid growth of a national reputation as
an orator and lawyer, as in the case of Ser
geant S. Prentiss. The tradition of him is
fast fading. Let us catch a glimpse of the
receding figure. He was born in Maine in
1908, and settled in Vicksburg, Mississippi,
in 1923. His extraordinary genius secured
for him at once the leadership of the Mis-
sissippi bar. He held it by his intellectual
supremacy and his personal courage. Duels
were then the order Of the day. TO refuse
challenge from Governor Foote was equiv
alent to ostracism, and he fought him. He
had weaknesses, but in theirsplendid setting
they were almost lost from view. In re-
pudiating State he denounced reputation,
and by his argument in the courts crushed
the principle in the State tribunals. In a
State that would rob the Choctaws, he
championed the cause of the Indian. He
moved through life q knight without fear,
and without reproach, foe of the Oppres-
sor, defender of the wronged. Sidney
was not more chivalric, Bayard not more
true. In 1888 he was elected to Congress as
whig. His seat was disputed, and he de-
Tended his claim before the House of Rep
resentatives in speech which took the
House and country by storm. Its brillian-
cy, its chivalric tone, it's logical power, its
legal acumen, captivated and astonished.
No young member of Congress ever receiv-
such ovations. He served through that
Congress, declining q second election. His
is another instance of a bold and successful
experiment. At the age of thirty-slX he
removed to New Orleans, a much more i'm
portant field. Although this required him
to master the civil law he accomplished it,
and took rank with the foremost leaders Of
the Louisiana bar. He died at fOrty-tWo
years of age.
gence, and time permitted, of Charles
the great cases arising in New York during
his active career, that he preferred profess
sional success to pecuniary rewards, that he
had power of will that baffled death until
broken by age. He rose to his primacy by
force of intellect and his vast learning. His
argument in the Lennon case sustaining
the right of master to bring his slave and
retain him in our state is an Illustration of
his individuality. He defed the anti
slavery sentiment and boldly took the
ground that slavery was the natural and
Just condition of the African race. He bas-
ed his position upon it's history. It had
proved incapable Of civilization. He mov-
ed through a jury trial like born COM
mander, and his arguments at the bar were
master pieces of learning and logic. Vae
uictis ight have been his motto when re-
sisting oppression and wrong.
This imperial manner was strikingly ex-
hibited on the Forrest trial, in which, be-
ing on the defense, he carried the war into
the enemy's country. He made it desert,
but did not call it peace.
In his hundred volumes of his own cases
is the record of his triumphs, the store
house of the spoils of the vanquished.
Mr.. O'Conner in his island retreat, de-
voting his last days to Offices of friendship
and charity, and finding in the religion of
fessional triumphs, is as beautiful picture
of age as appears in the gallery of Plutarch.
The Buffalo bar has in the public careers
of two of its eminent members, a unique
history.
About sixty years ago, Millard Fillmore,
then unknown and unpatrOniZed, came to
Erie county and established himself as a
lawyer. He brought to his profession, in
dustry and fidelity and adequate talent.
So self distrustful was he of his ability to
cope with the leaders of the Buffalo bar
tHdG He uIoI oeIIleu III lilo lioh h"ihioo VI
Aurora.
In 1928 he was elected member of the
legislature. He soon after ventured to
move to the village of Buffalo which had
begun to feel the ocean tide beat through
the Erie canal.
In 1924 he was elected member of Con-
gress, and was repeatedly reelected. BY
his intelligent attention to public business
he won national reputation. Relieved
from Congress his State summoned him to
some Of its high honors. Before he was
fifty years of age, he was at the head of the
government. He had served up to the pres
idency, yet never forsaking his profession
during the intervals of his official life.
About thirty years ago Grover Cleveland
came to Buffalo, like Mr.. Fillmore, un-
known and unpatronzed. He entered upon
the study of the law, and in due time was
enrolled with the profession. He was dill
gent and successful. Against his desires he
was early called to a semi-judicial Office,
and later and still more emphatically
against his DESIRES to the magistracy OF Buf-
falO.
Then began a history without parallel.
He did not take the flood tide which leads
to fortune-the tide took him, and bore him
whether he would or no to that goal to
which all our prominent statesmen have
looked with pitiful longing, and, for the
most part, with heart breaking disappoint-
ment.
1t is worthy your notice that both Mr..
Fillmore and Mr. Cleveland laid the foun-
dation of their success in devotion to the
labors and studies of their profession.
The world may talk Of favoring circum-
stance, and call it luck, but luck does not so
crown idlers or foos-FTom Lecture By Hon.
James o. Putnam.
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THE WASTE PLACES OF THE WORLD.
The Russian explorer, Prejevalsky, said