St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-26
HIGH HoNORs TO THE DEAD.

Memorial and Eulogies Of The Bar
on the Late Hon. Gordon L.
Cole.
The committee appointed by the state
bar of Minnesota to draw up series of
resolutions in memory of the late Hon.
Gordon i. Cole yesterday appeared be-
fore The Judges of the supreme court.
The committee, composed of Hon. c. c.
Wilson, Of Rochester; Judge Thomas
Wilson. of Winona; Hon. w. !. Hahn,
of Minneapolis; Judge Eli T. Wilder, of
Red Wing: Judge J. ID. Macdonald and
Judge Flandrau, of st. Paul, entered
the supreme court room shortly after ,
o'clock. and were followed a few min.
utcS later 10y the judges, who assembled
the bench.
Hon. {. c. Wilson, of Rochester. then
addressed the court as follows:
Al Il meeting of the committee Of the bar
OF the state of Minnesota. held az the Hotel
Ryan. 81. Paul. Oct. 5, 1890, it was deter
mined 10 present 10 the supreme court of the
state the following resolutions expressive of
theis esteem and respect for the memory of
the ale Gordon E. Cole, one time attorney
general of this state.
II il please your honors. permit Inc TO state
that the bar of this court have, by their com
OBSTINATE and appreciation OF Gordon E.
Cole. late one of their number, who recently
departed this life at London, England, while
abroad Tor his health. They have honured
me with the duty OF presenting those resolu-
tons in this court and of requesting that
they be entered in your records. With your
permission l Will resd them. They are as
follows:
Resolved. That the bar of the state of Min
nesota has received with deep sorrow the in
teliigence of the death of Gordon Z. Cole.
who for thirty years has bean one Of its most
able and conspicuous members.
Resolved, That his memory deserves TO be
cherished by the bar of thss state. IL confers
honor upon the profession. He was an elo-
quent advocate, Il profound lawyer, q safe
counselor, an accom- hiShed and conscen-
iIOIS statesman. an upr;ght and rTeprOach-
able citizen and Il Christian gentleman.
Resolved. That The foregoing resolutions
be presented 10 the supreme court. with the
request that they lie Transcribed upon its rec
Ords
Resolved, That copy hereof be engrossed
and presented 10 his family. with the assur-
ance Of the heartfelt sympathy OF his profess
siOnGl brethren.
In support Of this motion, permit me to say
that for more than thirty wears Gordon F.
Cole was member Of this bar. During the
larger and later part of that time be was uni
VcrSallv acknowledged one of The leaders of
the profession IL this State He bore an hon
Grable part i'll many OF The important cases
argued here His native talent. his thorough
knowledge of the maX.ms Of jurisprudence,
his self possession and steadineSs rendered
him Skiilf,l III debate and most dangerous
adversary.
Great reputation as Judge upon the bench
can rarely be attained without The aid OF
learned and able counsel at the bar The
decision hat shines with the clenrest justice,
through the complicated events of a great
case, is often the reflection of the industry
and patient research of learned and dIscrim-
iuatlns counsel Of this work at your bar,
Gordon E. Cole bore large and honorable
part His iame appears as counsel in every
volume OF the reports of your decisions since
he became attorney general in 500. And
often in connection with the most difficult
and important causes. Among others
he was concerned in State vs. Young. where
the gravest constitutional questions were in
VOWED, This court had his aid in argument
IN jones W. Morrison. n memorable decision
in the law of corporations. He was also
heard III King VS.. Remington. a mastery an
elysis i'll the law of trusts: decisions that viii
be lead with interest so long as anything
said here shall be studied. He enjoyed Il
considerable practice i'll the federal courts,
and was heard with marked attention in the
supreme court of the United States. that au-
gust trlbunal which has not its equal in any
country CT in any age.
In argument he advanced nothing false
He concealed no iEfrmity of his case. lie
spoke 10 assist the court aud 10 advance
justice. He spoke to the case, ana not of
lhe opponent. Re INDUCED IL 10 personal
ity or deIogation of opposing counsel. lie
never failed 10 maintain the respect due to
courts. nor ever sought to lniSlead by artiIicc
or partial statement OF fact or law. Am
bilious of fame. he sought TO deserve her
fav0rs, and labCred to equip himself for
great contests, and for The duties of exalted
argument
Mr. Cole was three times elected attorney
general of This state. He also served in both
houses of the state legislature He was re-
gent OF the state university, and president OF
The hoard Of managers of the state reforma-
tory. lie was ne of the commissioners to
revise the statutes of this state, and was the
first president or the state CHAR association,
ana held many positions of trust and re-
sponsibility in the Episcopal diocese of Min
nes0ia.
Born and reared in view OF the mountains
AT Che>iTe, Mass. their rocky heights filed
MIN with grand aspirations. His academic
years we're spent at Sutfield, on the banks OF
the Connecticut where he acquired the
polish of the dwellers on fertile plains
Filled with tie unrest of youth he came in
1857 To Farbault. The place was then new
and primitive, but he was pleased with the
aspect, pleased with her grassy plains and
wooded nights. her pure water and heI
heailhful skies, and there lie cast his lot, and
there his ashes now repose.
Gen. Cole was man Of pure character,
correct habits AND strict integrity He was
beloved by his neighbors of ali parties and
crceds. lie spent, without remuneration,
much of his time in the service of the town
Of his adoption. and III charitable educational
works, particularly those fOSteTed by the
Episcopal church.
In personal demeanor he had an air Of pre-
occupation rather than OF invitation to dis
course. He seemed to court and TO seek ia
deserve respect, rather than familiar friend
ship lie possessed the rare quality of hay
ing himself always in hand ready for bis
best. Of medium stature, well rounded and
poised. he stood in debate model for an
artist.
T,,f. ,v. oo,,,a NOT bara IN raoo,,+ b;- -;
tines Or repeat the story of his life, hut to ask
that this estimate of his professional bre;h
rem be inscribed upon your eeofds. These
resolutions tersely and Soberly express thai
estimate. And what more appropriate tribute
to hismemory can We pay than 10 thus hand
down to the successive students of the rec
ords OF This venerable court, the unbiased
estimate Of those who knew him best.
But we shall see his face no more. In the
zenith of his powers and usefulness, bu
iifty-seven years of age, his light fell sud
denly into the darkness of the grave. Nc
words of mine can give expression to the be
reavement that bows down The hearts withir
ms home. or adequately portray our deep re
gret. His EXAMPLE. the story of the struggles
be endured upon The rugged road of pro
tessional life, are all that remain. They arc
repleie with wisdom for the Young. and viii
sOlace for the old and weary III that highway
Hon. w. j. Hahn, of Minneapolis
said:
/ esteem it great honor to pay tribute tc
my deceased friend, Gordon f. Cole He
was true man; as politician was not afraid
10 say what he thought on all measures. Hi
was statesman, scholar and a gentleman
He was essentially an intelligent man. and in
order 10 command his respect it had to bt
done in an intelligent mannerand when once
his confidence was obtained. he was Il firm
and true friend. If noble traits of character
make one great, then the disting uishe(
DEAD was truly great. Called al
the age of twenty-siX to serve thu
state OF Minnesota as attorney general whe1
great questions were involved and interested
the people. is evidence of the esteem as
lawyer at wqich he was held at that earl,
aye. Among th, more important questions III
dealt with was the bond amendment to tn.
constitution. The manner in which b.
mastered all the important subjects which
came before him in his official position i
Another evidence of his legal ability. The re
ports will show that during his otilcc:ai caree
as attorney general, more taportant question
came before him for his opinion and solution
than were submitted to all his predecessors
There was something in his character which