The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-08

wiser than his cotemp oraries by at least
three hundred years. IL is said that
he was perfectiDg himself in most of
the liberal sciences, as music. arithmetic.
geometry, astronomy. and growing TO be a
perfect historian" so of Judge Bradley.
While the law was his business and the
great study of his life. many-perhaps 4
should say most-other fields of know led ge
were diligently cultivated. not only "a
recreations. but as auxiliary TO his profess
sion. Mathematics. f0r which he had a
special fondness and aptitude. and which
he pursued with delight into it's most
sbstruse applications, astronomy. theology,
biblical criticism. languages. literature,
science. art. political economy; in short. he
seemed TO have studied almost every thing.
and 10 have made n part OF himself all
that his thought had touched. let wide
and profound as were the general re-
searches of this great man. they were only
subsidiary 60 his work IN the law. For
thirty years he studied and practlced his
profession, in sll its branches. with great
diligence and great success.
William Pinkney is said TO have de-
clered that in his time only two men at tho
bar of the United states had mastered
Coke upon Littleton-Chief Justice Parsons
and himself. indeed. 10 acquire n thorough
knowledge of English aud American jurls-
prudence. as administered in the courts or
law. chancery and admiralty. Is q life task,
10 be accomplished only by large abilities
under the spur of high ambition. Add
TO this thorough acquaintance with the
Jurisprudence of republican and imperial
Rome. with the code Napoleon. and
generally with the laws of continental
Europe. and We approximate the strictly
professional resources of this great lawyer
and Judge. Indeed, TO speak the truth of
this mans marvellous learning Is 10 invite
the charge OF exaggerated eulogy. let
neither In his writings nor in personal in
tercourse was there any display by Justice
Bradley of his requirements. One was i'm
pressed. not with what he knew. but with
what he was and what he did. All that he
learned enlarged the man-it did not mere
Iy add TO the load of his possessions. lie
was q modest man.
"Kuowedges proud that he has learned so much,
Wisdom Is humble that he knows no more.
Nor was Justice Bradley simply Q stu
dent. a man Of learning. lie was a prac-
teal business man, o man of atiairs-a man
10 he called upon where large business in
forests were to be handled-a patriot. not
only wise in council. hut capable, energetic
and efficient in action when the govern
ment was In peril when troops were TO be
raised. transportation furnished and men,
munitions and supplies hurried TO tho
front.
HELD But ONE PUBLIC OFFICE.
Prior to his appointment to this bench
MIR. Bradley never held public Once. yet
no man was more active and influential.
by word and Decd on the side OF
whatsoever things were just and OF
good report In bis city and State.
His study of the law was not as somethi ng
abstract. speculative. lifelees. but In it's re-
latlon to soclety-yea as the very essence.
the life blood of civil society. even as the
surgeon stndies the life of his living sub
ject. He had not the gift of eloquence. as
that term A QenprRllV nndarSfOOd re-
lation TO Juries, bnt be had what Is vastly
more important TO a lawyer and q judge.
the power OF clear, terse. vigorous state
ment. which. illuminating the subject un-
der discussion, If IL does not enlist the
feelings. does convince the understanding.
POLITICALLY. bis affinity was rather IN
the school of Hamilton than Jefferson. He
believed that, In framing the federal Con-
etitution the fathers intended TO create a
nation, a sovereign among tho sOvereigns
OF the earth. and his Judgment approving
their work. he omitted no pportunity to
sert and vindicate thetSoyereignty. Hence,
in his decisions upon constitutional ques-
lions, whether arising out of economic or
quasi political issues. the national idea al
ways appenrs, even as the strand royal IN
the woOf of all the banners of Britain.
'Of the quality and measure of his work
as justice of this court. running through
near sixty volumes of the reports there is
no need 10 speak. With all his learning,
with all his Familiarity with reported decis-
IONS. Justice Bradley's opinions rarely rest
primarily on adjudged cases. They are
bottomed in principle. and then. when
practicable. buttressed by authority. Tho
principle involved il clearly stated with
Its necessary logical results. and cases are
cited 20 show that. on similar facts. like
deductions have approved themselves 10
other judges-been sanctioned by other
courts. The conclusion is right. not be-
cause others have said so, but others with
him have said so because il Is right. Being
what ha A the work of InGf1pa Rradlau
could not he less than what il Is. worthy
of the man, an honor to the great court and
the great country for which he spoke. His
opinions are their own eulogy-the best. tho
most enduring monument to the fame OF
th.ir uthOr.
''But let no jnrist suppose that popular
fame awnits him. Such honors are for
more SNOWY service, for men on horseback,
or for those In political life. who touch the
people heart-excite national enthusiasm.
The laws of society, like the laws Of nature.
work unseen and in silence. The principle
OF gravItatlon. peryading and regulating
tho material universe. was unnoted by men
for near six Thousand years. IL the law
herself, OmnIpresent and all heneficent, eX-
cites SO little interest. her priests. quietly
ministerinE in her temple. must be content
with respect and veneration. They may
not hope for popular applause.
Justice Bradley was a Christian man.
cherished the domestic virtues In his
home. was a good neighbor and good
CITIZEN. lie tried always TO preserve n
conscience void OF otfense toward God and
man. Charges against his integrity OF
honor fell away from him as hurtless Is
hail from the face of yonder monument.
To assert that such endowments. enriched
by such cultivation. have persisted. that
the light of such life has sunk in endless
night. Is To imPeach the economy of nature.
Justice Bradley was great lawyer. great
magistrate, n great man. lie exalted the
tribunal wherein he sat; he enlarged the
measure of the place he occupied. Hissu
cessor will in due time be appointed; his