Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-26
NOrthwestern's Celebration

cession to Justice Gray on the bench Of the
supreme court Of the United States. must
be regarded as supplementary to, although
not a part Of, the installation celebration
at Northwestern. Judge Holmes had made
his visit to Chicago in response TO an invi-
tation to deliver the address formally dedi-
eating the new law school building Of the
university, and the occasion was seized
by the bar to entertain him at that time.
The banquet was given in the banquet
hall Of the Auditorium hotel, with many
noted lawyers and jurists present. Per-
haps 175 we're seated at the tables-a repre-
sentative body, yet justifying the com
plant. which I overheard, that Chicago
lawyers lack interest in their own pro-
fession when, out Of nearly 1000 members
Of the Cook county bar, less than 200 take
advantage Of an opportunity to meet and
greet a prospective judge of the nations
highest court. Judge Woolworth and Judge
Munger both came over from Omaha to at
tend this banquet, and It is, perhaps,
worthy Of comment that Of the twenty-one
persons seated az the guests table three, or
one-seventh Of the whole number, we're
from Omaha.
Justice Holmes will be readily picked out
Of any assemblage as a mar of distinction.
His carriage and poise, his precision Of
speech, his we'll modulated voice, all be-
token culture and refinement. At the same
time he seemed to enter fully into the spirit
OF the occasion and to enjoy it's humor
even when at his expense. His brief ad-
dress in response to the facetious, yet COM
plimentary, presentation by Judge Gross
cup, is worth preserving. After a few
personal remarks about previous visits to
the west he said;
1.-THE new career l have entered on marks
my turn into the homestretch of life, and
what are the conclusions l have come to?
Let us older men tell the younger that the
race is worth the running. 1t has many
pleasures and recompenses. Praise is well
come, for we must be honest, but the chief
Joy of life is in the doing. II a man has
become satisfied with himself he has ceased
to struggle and has ceased to achieve. The
greatest joys to be got out of this existence
are those hat come while going at full
speed. To face obstacles and to measure
his advancement by the number overcome
that is the real life Of man.
Mature is self-defeating, and / have
thought of agitating for a society for the
prevention of amusements. 1t is in active
accomplishment, not in rest that we find
the highest expression of life. However,
a Judge need not fear he will perish from
atrophy of his intellect. On the bench are
responsibilities, and to aim at the highest
is to take risks. Conventional thought
and process must be forsaken, and the
Judge must not be satisfied with conse-
Grated phrases. He must stop to analyze
the situation and ascertain what course
must be taken regardless of ancient GUS
tom. The judge needs to realize the para
dox that 1t is not necessary to be heavy
to have weight.
For twenty years 1 have done my best
and the living Of the period has been a
delight. 1 believe my standards have been
cosmopolitan, and 1 have sought for the
best. Now that I know the cordially of
your reception 1t makes me almost dream
it easier to succeed than to fail. 1 go on
In the fight gladly and shall always think
/ hear the trumpet of your cheers"
The nthers who smoke for the bench were