Morning journal and courier., 1888-04-26
THE HALF cENrURY's NEcRoLoaY


 As we approach the close of this retrospect there float before our mental vision the images of those who in 1888 or later were prominent in our community and who are with us no more. The proprieties of the oc- casion, no less than the promptings of our hearts, require that we should pay them the passing tribute of our remembrance. The list is too long for thisJ occasion and just discrimination is impossible. A few, however, who have filled distinguished places in our
 local world of religion, letters, politics or science, or who by reason of special benefits conferred on our community have a particu- lar claim to commemoration, must receive a word.
 And first of all, standing on this conse- crated spot, should be false to my own sen- timents and to yours if there fell from my lips any other name before that of him whose memory is so associated with this edifce and so inseparably identified with all public and especially all historic occasions in New Ha- ven. That majestic figure! That benignant eountenancel That commanding and inspir- ing voioel Their influence still fingers within these walls and fills the place with his pres- ence. But it is as the citizen of New Haven, as the embodiment of her historic spirit, as the orator on her civic occasions and as the commanding personality in her public assem- plies, that we miss him to-day. In these ca pacities Dr. Bacon filled through many years place in this community which it is hardly probable will ever again be occupied. Nor was his influence confined by the boundaries of our own municipality. From his writings Abraham Lincoln received his first impress sions of the evils of slavery, and had he rem dered no other service to mankind than that his country should hold his memory in ever lasting gratitude. And though all other acts of his life should fade in time from hu- man recollection, yet so long as Claws, free- dom, truth and faith in God" have power among men so long will that beautiful lyric which we have sung to-day perpetuate in every American heart the name and memory of Leonard Bacon.
 In this imperfect necrology, other names connected with the clerical profession, hard ly less prominent in their day than that of Dr. Bacon, must be rapidly passed over can only allude to Dr. Nathaniel W. Taylor, who died in 1858, resident of New Haven for thirty-six years, and whose fame as an elo- quent preacher and as the founder of new school of divinity known as the New Haven school was unsurpassed two generations ago by any in the country. I can only mention also the Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell, rector of Trinity church, who also died in 1858,a ven- erable, apostolic man of grand and dignifed presence, 6 born leader of men, most deeply and justly revered by his people. Other pastors of long standing and influence who have passed away in the midst of their work were the pious and devoted Cleaveland, who died in 1866, after ministry here of thirty two years; and the genial and saintly Dutton, who died in the same year after pastorate of twenty-eight years.
 In the ranks of the legal profession in 1888 were Daggett, Staples, Simeon and Roger Baldwin, Hitchcock, White, Charles and Ralph Ingersoll, Kimberly and Town- send. Of those who came later and are also gone, may name as most prominent BIackman, Dutton, Osborne, Bristol, Foster, Ives, Wright and Beach. Among the foren- sic leaders of the bar for quarter of a cen