The Opelousas courier., 1890-12-20
Hon. Jos. NJ. Moore.

LC ACALh VI Lul5 4 a.
zen, who was a native and all his life
a resident of this parish, took place in
New Orleans at an early hour last Mon
day morning, Dec. 18th, in the 66th
year ofhis age. He had been in a pre-
carious state of health for a long time,
and several months ago he vas re-
moved to New Orleans, in the vain
hope that a change of air and scenes
and the skillful treatment of metropoli-
tan physicians would restore him to
bis wonted vigor. His remains were
brought here on Tuesday evenings
train and the impressive ceremonies of
the Episcopal Church were performed
over them by Rev. G. C. Kramer of
New Iberia, assisted by Rev. MIR. Abou
of Washington after which, followed
by an immense concourse of our people,
they were inferred in the Public Gem
etery.
Judge Moore vas for many years one
of the most prominent citizens of this
parish and section. He was a man of
education, culture and refinement, a
profound j%urist, and for forty years oc-
cupied IA leading position at our bar.
Some years before the breaking out of
the wal between the sections he repre-
scented this parish in the Legislature,
and in lo79 he vas again called upon
to serve his people in the Constitution
al convention of that year which fran
ed oar present Constitution. In 1880
he was elected one of the judges of the
Court of Appeals Tor this Circuit, a
position which lie filled with distin-
gaislIed ability and strict integrity for
eight years. Although he always took
IA lively interest in public affairs, and,
yielding to the solicitation of friends
and admirers, was at times inspired
with the laudable ambition to occupy
other eXalted-ofticial stations for which
his great talents, deep learning and
other qualifications eminently fitted
him, these are the only offices, We be-
believe, that he ever filled. He was
not cut out for a politician-not a poll
tician of to-day, at least. His delicate
and refined nature caused him to shrink
from the contact with the rude and
brutal ward hummer, his innate hon
esty and sincerity forbade his profess
ing sentiments or feelings he did not
entertain, and he knew not-and never
cared to know-how " to crook the
pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift
might follow fawning." In a word,
Joseph M. Moore had il his composition
nothing of the sycophant nor the dema-
gogue.
During the dark era of reconstruc-
ton Judge Moore's services to the peo-
pie were specially earnest, patriotic
and valuable. When others, discour-
aged and sick of heart, or seduced by
the tempter, tainted by the wayside;
or, abandoning all hope of success un-
der the banner of Democracy, wander
ed away from the fold seeking after
strange gods and embraced the Leberal
Republican party and other independ-
ent movements, true as the needle to
the pole Judge Moore stood by the par
ty organization, local and State, and
never wayered in his allegiance or f.
deity to the grand principles whose
triumph in our State in 1876 filled his
heart with a proud, honest and legiti-
mate joy. With tongue and pen, on
every occasion, in season and out of
season, %undaunted by ridicule, obloquy
and defeat, he fought the good fight to
the bitter end, and in the Inauguration
of Democratic government in 1877 wit
messed the fruitionIo of his fondest hopes,
the consummation from which have
flown the blessings of good government
which we now enjoy. Besides being
often on the hastings and always in
the forefront of every political battle,
he was a frequent contributor to our
columns in those days when the CoU-
RIER stood solitary and alone in the
journalistic field in the defense of Dem
ocratic principles, and when by its stir
ing appeals to the people it gave such
powerful assistance to the patriotic men
who We're struggling against fearful
odds for the overthrow of the arrogant
and strongly intrenched party of COR
aud misrnle. The record of
those dark days is one of the brightest
gems in the chaplet which eneircles his
brow.
As a citizen Judge Moore was among
the most public spirited as a christian
he gave an edifying example to the
community ; as a husband and father
he was kind, afftctionate and indul-
gent; as a man he was above reproach.
The death of such a man is a public
loss.
To his bereaved family We tender our
most sincere sympathy. May He who
Iempers the wind to the shorn lamb
and console them and on the
resurrection morn reunite them, to be
no more forever.