New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16
NR. DEPEW on ISAAC H. BROMLEY
A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND WORK
OF THE DEAD JOURNALIST FROM HIS
OLD FRIEND AND CLASSMATE.

At the meeting Of the Union League Club on
Thursday evening Chauncey VI. Depew. In second
ing the memorial resolution on Isaac II. Bromley
spoke follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen OF the Club: 1t Is
both 4 sad and grateful duty to second the resou-
ton In memory Of Isaac II. Bromley ne was one
Of the rare characters whom the world does not
appreciate while living nor know now much nas
lost when he is dead. His best work was behind
sitveness prevented his receiving the CONSPICUOUS
name and fame which were his due. lie WAS a
ANALYST of human nature and shrewd observer
OF current events. He was both w wit ana ,na
mass Of people love them 1t takes fine or
ganlzation and education TO understand and ENJOY enc,
these gifts The rough or vulgar story whose point
is as plain as the face of triDhammer Is the
common property OF everybody who cares to pick
Many men are uncomfortable in the presence Of
any one whose weapons are yelled by me yelVe' Oh
night because brighter friends do and see the ap,
pcation of tomorrow There Is no middle gfgaIa a
with dull folks and the most dangerous and elec-
tive power for the artist Is word psntlns, fon
either is too firmly fixed in the prejudices OF us
followers too ponderous to oudseon IL - , ,ha
to be kicked off The easy way OF dsposing OF
these dangerous Anniversaries Is TO say 'hey are e
always found together. Many bright men aIe S a
nn9,ituSness OF speech in order that suspicion
OF humor shall detract from their reputation tor
Rromley hated shams. frauds and incompetents.
Ne was SO Inherently honest and so courteously
frank that when he discovered any & pnn,la
favor and secure share OF me Pqniic pua W., L
at once upon the warpa,th ns ne Would an
enemy If that friend persisted after warning MI ~
ere He was a friend Of President Arthur, and
both loved social good time he tnougtt Ae htno,
on the party for Governor. and in other matters.
very un wise and protested to him against IT, arthur
saw ONLY the convvial humorist and witty side oi
ProuIev and could not understand the depth and
intensity Of his convictions. Bromley used often
70 come to me when worried about his articles, ana
after an editorial upon President. brilliant side
splitting and crushing. he said sadly; i 10 so WISH
,r 'front.' II INV gun" He was a master IN the field
where Charles Lamb and Thackeray won lame r
him It increased In richness as he grew older His
genius was creative. After reading one OF his ar
ficIcs on the way 10 business in the morning. you
put The Tribune in your pocket and carried II nome
TO read to ne famy asr aness and mad
bright with keen enjoyment and merry laughter
by these illusions az many city house and SUD-
But It was when the doors were closed upon
party OF choice spirits that Bromley seemed at his
best. His nimitable stories. dry humor and
pungent wit would make such night memorable.
lowed the frankness OF his youth. but did not dim
it's fire. The class OF 50 Is famous In literature.
men this rare genius did more than any Of them
to keep alive the memory Of the class and the best
need TO infict a wound Victim and associates
the social circle never left scar. His answer TO
tho angry subscriber Of the paper he was tenn
porarily editing years because of the scarcity
In its columns Of cables and kilograms was char
acieristc. We poor but honest. Even our
Vatican news is taken from The Sentinel OF
Rome y. " -,
Though Bromey's work was necessarily nasty
there is much Of II which ought not to he lost
His wit and humor upon plane Tar higher
than the school o. Artemus Ward and Infinitely
more funny. The events Of the period OF ms &c.
tvity would receive vivid illustration ana ornaht
coorng for the historian OF the future " MS wVfks
were published Dear friend charming companion
faithful journalist and good citizen. the worid Is
richer, brighter wiser and better LOT the LAC anu
work OF Isaac IL Bromley.