Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-11
THE LATE JUSTICE BRADLEY
Memorial Tribute of the Members of the
delaware lar.

hcltOu upon tnc ucatn OF tne ille MT. JUS
tice Bradley, formerly an associate justice
of the Supreme Court of the United
Statcs.Judge Wales presided. There were
present Hon. Thomas +. Bayard, Hon.
Charles B. Lore, Hon. George II. Bates,
William q. Spruance, Colonel Benjamin
Nields, E. G. Bradford, Colonel S. A.
Macalister, George A. Elliott, Philip
@. Churchman, Harvey Whiteman,
Charles b. Evans and others.
The committee appointed by the bar
to draft resolutions upon the late jurists
death comprised Hon. Thomas j.
Bayard, chairman, Hon. Charles b.
Lore, William G. Spruanee, Hon. George
ii. Bates and +. G. Bradford. The COM
mittee after few moments dcliberation
reported through the chairman, Mr.
Bayard, as follows:
WHEREAS, The bar of the State of Della
ware were called upon in common with
heir professional brethren throughout the
Union to lament the death of the Honora-
BILE Joseph +. Bradley, lately an associate
justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States, whose district of duty in the circuit
court for many years past included this
State.
WHEREAS, As expressive of the sorrow
sincerely felt and the high respect and
honor in which the deceased magistrate
was held by this bar, be it
RcsotVed, That in the death of Mr.. Justice
Bradley, we mourn the loss TO the entire
community of jurist Of great experience,
wide and varied learning, whose we'll
stored logical and analytical mind sheds
light upon the jurisprudence of the nation,
and Importantly throughout the admins
tration of justice in the land.
Resot0ed, That the eminent, prolonged
and laborious career of the deceased in the
public service, and his personal and social
virtues entitle his memory to be cherished
in the hearts of his countrymen as wise,
virtuous and patriotic citizen.
Resoiged, That a copy Of these resolutions
of our sincere coincidence to the family of
the deceased.
Resolyed, That the resolution be presented
to the circuit court of the United States for
this district with the request that they be
spread upon the record.
Mr. Bayard moved the adoption of
the resolutions in brief speechin which
he eulogized the many good traits of
the dead jurist and paid fitting tribute
to his memory. Mr.. Bayard was fol-
lowed by William G. Spruance, who
seconded the motion for the adoption of
the resolution and also made some re-
marks eulogistic Of the iilustrious jurist's
career. Mr.. Spruance was followed in
turn by Hon. George Ii. Bates, Z. G.
Bradford and Colonel S. A. Macallister,
all of whom made brief but appropriate
speeches.
Judge Wales, in receiving the resolu-
tions, stated that he did so with sincere
sympathy and in full accord with the
spirit of the remarks made by the coun-
sci who presented them. He continues:
"The memory and character of Judge
Bradley are worthy of the most pro-
found respect, and it would be difficult
to estimate too highly the value of his
judicial services. That those services
were distinguished and important will
be conceded by all who have any knowl-
edge of them.
ellis work on the bench of the
Supreme Court, and in the circuit courts
of the Fifth and Third circuits, not only
disposed of numerous cases of local and
individual interest, in almost every
branch of the law, but contributed
largely to the settlement of many ques-
tions of national importance; and his re-
ported opinions, by their wealth of
learning and lucid reasoning, have en-
riched the jurisprudence of our country.
For these results We are his grateful
debtors.
Judge Bradley possessed the elements
of true greatness, wisdom, integrity of
purpose and simplicity. These appeared
in his manner, in his conversation and
in the substance and style of his written
judgments; the latter exhibiting that
nn,, hi n tinp IF nIaa rnaee -
and logical order of argument which
mark the recorded thoughts of master
minds.
"He was a jealous and patriot searcher
after truth. intellectual labor was con-
genial to him. What to others might
seem to be laborious task was to him u
delightful occupation, and constant
study was his constant enjoyment. In
the consideration of legal questions his
anxious desire was to arrive at just and
right conclusions and not sustain any
favorite or special theory. To an in
quiry where he found precendent for
one of his opinions, he replied that the
latter was common sense and it would
be pity if no authority could be found
to support il.
SIN social intercourse Judge Bradley
was at once an entertaining and instruc-
tive companion. Like Lord Bacon, he
seemed to have taken all knowledge for
his province, and there were few sub
jects pertaining to history, literature,
science or law which his learning did
not embrace, and on which he could not
impart varied and useful information
from the ample storehouse of his
With NIL tbic M -,
natural endowments and acquired attain
ments, he never assumed or affected
superiority over others, but was consid-
crate of the feelings of those who were
less gifted in these respects than himself.
Jealous Of the purity of his intentions,
he did not lightly criticse the motives of
others, and he Indignantly repelled any
unjust charge against his own.
Judge Bradley was man of tender
sympathies which was not often mani
tested but could not always be sup
pressed.
"For myself, l conceived it to be a
privilege to know such man, to share
in his deliberations, to be enlightened
by his wisdom, to be aided by his re-
searches and practical experience, to be
honored by his confidence. l knew him
only in his later years, at u period when
bodily, and mental vigor began to yield
to the intirmities of age, but with him,
although the phy5ical strength was
gently declining, his mental faculties
shone forth clear and bright to the end,
and he was able to perform his judicial
duties until within a very few weeks
before his death, thus realizing his oft
expressed wish, that he might die in
harness.
"Those who were present at the
organization of the circuit court of APP
L.. L IL.