The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-10-25

gether and pay their respects to the
memory, talents and virtues of de-
parted friend. Even before christiani.
ty and civilization had Gained the
rude passions and restrained the
brutal instincts Of mankind, the
Ignorant pagan and the untaught
savage alike gathered beside the grave
OF their fallen chieftain to extol his
prowess or mourn his loss.
And in paying this last tribute to
the worthy dead, we not only honor
their name, but benefit ourselves as
well. Aside from the duty we owe
the departed, it is wise for the best of
us to lay aside for the moment our
personal ambitions and selfish strug.
giles to pause in the whirl and hurry
OF our daily lives, and reflect upon the
life, character and learning of virtu.
GUS man and upright Judge.
l can say little of Judge Elwell that
is not already known to the most of
the members of the bar. For 26 years
he went in and out before you as the
President of this Court. 1t was here,
IN your presence, that his labor was
performed, that his ability was exhibit.
ed, that his talents were exercised.
To all of you, except possibly the
younger members, his appearance,
disposition and manner while upon
the bench, is familiar. The records
of the Court, the official reports of
decisions evidence his skill in the dis.
position of causes far better than mere
words of comparison or praise.
Like all Judges, he made mistakes.
To say this is but to say, "he was
human" But no man was more patti
ent in listening to an exposition Of his
error, or more ready to correct it when
once convinced of his mistake.
His active professional life was
spent in a foreign county, and of his
ability as practitioner we know little
except by repute. But in the earlier
history of Bradford county his name
as practicing attorney stands in the
foremost ranks Of Bar of more than
ordinary ability.
In 1862 he came to this county,
bearing with him the universal respect
and admiration of ais former friends
and neighbors. 10 day his body is
carried back to the scenes of his youth,
followed by the regret and sorrow of
all who lad learned to know him in
his adopted home.
When we reflect upon these things /;
when we think of his useful and honor
able career, his long life and peaceful
. death, mingled with all our sorrow at
. his taking off, may we not be permitted
, to indulge certain feeling Of refined
. satisfaction that an all wise Providence
, has permitted so beautiful a rounding
, out of his high career, and that when
the iron gates of memorable death did
, finally close behind his retreating
figure, there was neither the creaking
. of bolt nor the grating of hinge"
5 Upon the conclusion of the remarks
of Judge Ikeler, William H. Rhawn,
Esq, said:
! ''Mr. Chairman, desire to pay a
= due tribute to the distinguished dead,
t and the tribute is this: The rule OF
: conduct of Judge Elwell, as minister
' of justice upon the judgment seat fol-
|, more than quarter of century, was
{ righteousness, the subject matter Of
r the profession of the law-nay, more,
, its principal lesson, and which every
S member Of the profession should
{ prize above honor, success or wealth,
as the rule to guide him in the dis
0 charge of his duties. 1t is, therefore
D eminently proper that the profession
!. as body should by appropriate con
!. sideration and resolution perpetuate
n the character of Judge Elwell as
n minister of justice not that 1t viii
e add to his fame, but because it will
S be, so long as time shall last a teacher
t to the profession of what constitute:
: righteousness, and more than that, {
f teacher that yonder judgment,seat
continue as Judge Elwell left it, ar
# emblem of that higher judgment-sea
d of which perfect righteousness is the
IS habitation
e J. Boyd Robson, Esq, said 81 de
Il not think that an occasion of this klnC
'f should pass without some of us wht
IS have practiced before Judge Elwell a
II least testifying to our respect for hin
d as Judge and as a citizen. When WI
e reflect that it is just generation, Ii
IS the ordinary acceptation of the term
P since Judge Elwell came to this coun
ty, the bar here has almost entirel
e grown up under him. There are feV
a of our present members who wer
a members of the bar when he began t.
e preside over the deliberations OF th'
d court. Myself, while one of the old
d er members of the bar here, came
d several years after and became
member of the bar or was admitted