The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-03-29

lamps of experience afforded no light His
decisions of these were fraught with vital
consequences to great interests. In many
cases millions of dollars hung upon view
which be might take ola well-disputed prin-
cipIe of law. Yet when his decision was
rendered there was never any question Of
his motives or its justice. There never was
the breath of suggestion that anything but
the highest and purest reasoning led him to
the result, and he goes to his grave now fol-
lowed not only by the affection of tens of
thousands of warm personal friends, but by
a public estimation of his personal character
and his ability as a iurist equal to that of
any other man who figures in our history.
Chief Justice Waite came of good, sound
Connecticut stock. His ancestors were early
immigrants to that State, and they soon
took prominent part in the affairs of the
Commonwealth. All Of them were men and
women far above mediocrity, and several
were eminent. His father was Chief Justice
of the State, and other relatives held high
positions. In his youth he emigrated to the
new country fthe Maumee Valley in North
western Ohio and cast his fortunes with the
pioneers who were laying the foundations of
that great State Without selEassertion or
ambition, he speedily took a prominent
place among them by the force of his char
acter and abilities Every year he lived
among them widened his circle Of &C.
quaintances, and increased the esteem in
which all who knew him held him. Every
man and woman in Northwestern Ohio,
Southeastern Michigan and Northeastern
Indiana seemed to be a personal friend Of
his, and they all reioiced as if sharing in
his good fortune when he received his
first National recognition by a selection to
represent the United States at Geneva. His
brilliant success there brought pleasure to
every one Of them, and when he returned
home they all Joined in a spontaneous ova-
ton, which was exceedingly fattering to
the recipient This warm, friendly feeling
was manifested even more strongly when
President Grant appointed him Chief JUS
tice of the United States. It was felt to be
in some sense a personal compliment TO
every one in the whole region and they all
watched his career as Chief Justice with
unfailing interest. 1t was rare indeed that
any public man had so large place in the
hearts Of SO many people, but Chief Justice
Waite deserved it all by his loyal, true
nature and unspotted integrity. He
was faithful, sympathetic and actively help
full to every man and woman within the
of his acquaintance His charities were
of the most transformations nature, but
boundIess. lie and his family, who were
worthy helpmates were necessarily doing
good in a substantial, effective way to those
around them, and owing to this, though he
enjoyed for years the largest and most Iu-
crative practice in his section, he accumu-
lated but a comparatively small estate.
Chief Justice Waite was born in Lyme,
Conn, Nov 20, 1916. he graduated at Yale
College in 1887, and removed to Ohio in
1888. He was, consequently, in his I'D year
at the time of his death, but his energy and
wilI-power were such as to give reasonable
expectation Of his living many years. Upon
the reception of the news Of his death both
Houses ofCongress adjourned out of respect
to his memory, the flags upon all the
Government buildings were lowered tc
halfInast, and the buildings themselves
draped in mourning. Everywhere was ex.
pressed the sincerest sorrow; and, without
exception, the press Of the country have
eulogized the dead jurist's character and
services as Of the highest order Of merit
A delegation from the Supreme Court ant
from each House of Congress accompanied
the remains to Toledo yesterday, where
, they were inferred. The people of thu
country around poured into Toledo by ten
of thousands to attend the funeral