The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-04
NICHOLAS VAN sLYCK.

NICHOLAS VAN SLfCK.
BY the death of Col. Van Slyck our
community has suffered n serious loss.
He came among us nearly forty years
ago, almost unknown TO us, and repre-
senting the valiant race of Knicker-
bockers, descendants indeed of the
ancient allies of the hberty-loving Eng
lish, but at that time little known to us
except through the medium of business
relations. But his cordial address, his
manly bearing and his sterling character
soon attached TO him many warm per-
sonal and professional friends, all of
whom have renamed his friends as long
as life has lasted. It has been the com
mon remark that few of our citizens
could leave behind them so many who
would mourn their departure as per-
sonal bereavement.
The obvious quality of the man will
account for a career so successful and,
in all respects, so honorable. There are
indeed many who recall and recount
friendly words and generous actions
which will justify the regard and graft
tude with which he will long be
remembered. But his character, rather
than his achievement, has been the
foundation of his reputation. Cool and
firm and self-poised in affairs he has
always been-more steady of purpose
than his unanxious manner led his OPP
ponents to suppose, and more subtle in
reasoning and method than he was, at
first thought, accounted by those who
marked only the informal and uncon-
ventional style in which he expressed
his conclusions and enforced his argu-
ments. With manner commanding
and yet persuasive he was formidable
but always fair antagonist. Direct
and open in his speech, and easy of APP
proach and responsive to all addresses,
his manner still showed fine reserve
which discouraged the presumptuous
and marked the limits of a definite and
serene personality. Such character
could not fail strongly to impress itself
upon a community which, perhaps as
much as any in the country, appreciates
an independent and strongly individual
lied mind.
Col. Van Slyck at once entered on a
good practice at the bar and his assist
ance was much sought, especially in liti-
gated business. His great success in his
profession, however, was won during his
service as City Solicitor. He held that
Office for nearly eighteen years by sue
cessive annual elections by the City
Council, although that body has at all
times contained large majority OF
members who were of the political faith
opposed TO his own. He has performed
the duties of the Office, from first TO
last, with distinguished ability. In his
advice TO the various officers Of the city
government he has shown great skill in
the practical application Of legal princi-
pies to questions often very difficult and
often very important. Ii is believed
that not in a single instance has his adj
vice been discredited by the final de
cision Of the courts. This result he
reached not through any considerable
knowledge of the learning Of the books
but rather by n mastery Of legal tech
nique. He was, of course, well grounded
in the law, though he made no preten-
sions to be a scholar. But he exercised
in an eminent degree the practical rea-
son which enabled him toperceive what
the law must be, and which ne found
more useful than mn intimate knowledge
of what the law has been declared TO be
by iurisconsults and magistrates. He
was an excellent judge Of the weight of
a legal argument and had he been will
Ing to accept judicial place. his unfail-
ing equanimity, his quiclSness of appre.
hension and his direct and succinct
method Of statement might not inprob-
ably have earned for him in that place
also a brilliant reputation
TIE City Council has a difficult task
20 Gll his place. l. is not too much 10
say that there is no man NJ the bar who
could at once continue MS worl, with.
out some obvious deficiencies. 1t is Of
/ great importance TO our municipal in
terests That a right choice be- made;
and tLe city VIII tIdesd be fortunate IL