The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-02-13
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2W.,,- j. ass aes s',orne,. Of oago'p' !
.v might very iustl
have been called
good one, for he regarded his office a
trust and selected and tried his case
not with a view TO personal gain, bu
TO the administration OF justice be
tween suitors And here It is wei
enough TO take lelsurely survey %
/ him IN his character OF country lawyer
from the time he entered the bar a
\ Springfield until he was Translated
from II 10 the presidential chair II !,
unnecessary to remind the reader that
the aim Of the writer is merely to pre-
sent facts and contemporaneous opln
ions, with as little comment as posi-
bic
In the courts and at the bar meet
ings Immediately succeeding his death
his professional brethren poured out
IN volumes their testimony TO his worth
and abilities as lawyer. But In esti-
mating the value OF this testimony II
Is fair TO consider the state OF the pub
lie mind at the time 1t was giyen-the
recent triumph Of the Federal arms
under his direction, the late over
whelming Endorsement of his admins
tratlon. the unparalleled devotion OF
the people TO his person as exhibited
at the polls. the fresh and bitter mem
ories OF the hideous tragedy that took
him of. the furious and deadly pas
sions II inspired in the one party and
the awe and indignation and terror II
inspired IN the other. IL was no time
for nice and critical examinations
either of his mental or his moral char
-~..-, ---s a. -.-ie,i.. i.a..a lhaan attended,
with personal danger TO attempt them.
For days and nights together 1t was
considered treason 10 be seen In public
with n smile ON the face. Men who
spoke evil Of the fallen chief or even
ventured a doubt concerning the inef-
fable purity and salntliness OF his life
were pursued by mobs, were beaten
TO death with paving stones or strung
up by the neck TO lampposts. IL there
was any rivalry 1t was as 10 who
should be foremost and fiercest among
his avengers. who should canonize
him IN the most solemn words, who
should compare him TO the most sacred
character in all history, sacred and pro
fame. He was prophet, priest and
king; he was Washington; he was
Moses, and there were not wanting
even those who likened him TO the God
and Redeemer OF the earth. These lat
ter thought they discovered In his low.
ly origin, his kindly nature, his benev-
olent precepts and the homely anec-
dotes Ia which he taught the people
strong points OF resemblance between
him and hetllvine Son Of Mary, Even
of this day men are not wanting In
prominent positions in life who knew
Mr.. Lincoln well and who do not hesi-
tate TO make such comparison.
Friendship With David Davis.
For many years Judge David Davis
was the near friend and the intimate
associate OF Mr. Lincoln. He presided
IN the court where Lincoln was often.
est heard Year In and year out they
Travelled together from town TO town,
from county TO county, riding frequent
ly In the same conveyance and lodging
in the same room Although n Judge
on the bench, Mr.. Davis watched the
political course OF his friend with af-
fectlonate solicitude and more than
once interposed most effeciually to
advance bis fortunes. When Mr.. Lin
coin ascended to the presidency II was
well understood that no man enjoyed
more confidential relations with him
than Judge Davis. At the first oppor-
funlty be commissioned Judge Davis
an associate justice OF that august trl.
bunal, the supreme court OF the United
States, and upon his death Judge pa.
Wis administered upon his estate AT the
request OF his family. Add 10 this the
fact that among American jurists
Judge Davis fame is II not peerless
at least not excelied by that Of any
man whose reputation rests upon his
labors as they appear Ia the books OF
rpports and we may very fairly con
slider him a competent judge Of the
character OF Mr. Lincoln,
At indianapolis Judge Davis spoke
Of him as follows;
Il enjoyed for over twenty years the
friendship Of Mr.. Lincoln We
were admitted 20 the bar about the
same time aud travelled for many
years Whist Is known IN Illinois % the |
Eighth judicial circuit In is4s, when
| drst went on the bench. the circuit 4
embraced fourteen counties aud Mr.
Lincoln went with the court 10 every 4
county Railroads Wcre not then IN
use. and our mode o. travel was either
on horseback or IN buggies
''This simple ilfe Dc loved. prefer. I
ring !, to the practice ~ the law In o
city. where. although the remuneration
would he greater. the opportunity
would be Tess fos mixing With the
great body of the people who loved 1
him and whom BIZ loved Mr Lincoln I
was transferred from the bar Of that
circuit 10 the Office u president of the
United States. having beru without ~
fciai position since be LETT congress in
Is4a Ia all The elements that coHsii
tuie The great lawyer be had few
equals. He was great both ai nisi
prins sBd before an appellate tribunai
He seiEed the str0ag points of cause
ADD presented them with ciesrness and