The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-07-05
A GREAT CATHOLIC LAWYER.
Mr.. JOHN D. o'RRIEN LAUDED
BY BENCH AND BAR.

Saturday morning, June %, one of
the most impressive memorial serv-
ices ever held by the Bar Association
of Ramsey County was conducted in
the presence of all the judges of the
district court The committee repre-
senting the Bar Association had pre-
pared resolutions on the death of Mr.
John D. O'Brien. Mr.. Pierce Butler,
chairman of the committee, was deep
ly affected as he read the memorial,
and Judge William Louis Kelly mani
tested intense emotion as he spoke of
his friend, Mr.. O'Brien. Many at
torneys of the city were present at
the services, including Thomas D.
OBrien, brother, and Dillon J..
O'Brien, son of the deceased.
The memorial as read by Mr.. But
Her, sketched the life of the deceased,
referring to his signal success at the
bar, and especially to his great abili-
ties as a lawyer. The memorial men
toned his love of truth, his patriotism
and his exceeding charity.
"Intuitively he distinguished truth
from falsehood. He had a singular
ability to sense the effect of testi-
mony upon the court or jury, and to
know what would be believed and
what rejected He relied with conf
dence upon juries to discover the
truth.
''He was patriotic without ostenta-
ton, and we'll discharged the duties
of citizenship. He was fond of litera-
ture, of flowers, of pictures, of music,
indeed he loved all things that are
lovable.
His thoughts were. pure and his
impulses generous. Without sympathy
for evil, his heart was full of pity for
the wrong-doer
HE did not attempt to please the
multitude, and expressed his opinions
fearlessly.
Many not needing legal advice
sought him to obtain counsel of g
friend. He helped the weak-hearted
soothed the sorrowful, gave hope tc
the despondent and strengthened the
faith of the doubling.
| uO 1u1uCnCC Vi 4A1C IA OO "
immeasurable value to those who sur
vive him"
Mr. Butler expressed his persona
sentiments. He died" said Mr.. But
4 Ter, "as he would hage wished to, il
the midst of the glories of spring
speaking to the soul of man of thu
truth of Immortality, alone, and be
side the river that he so we'll loved
} And he left to us the memory of {
loyal friend and great-hearted man.
w. H. Lightner delivered an address
also John D. O'Brien was," he said
! "one of the noblest characters eve
produced by the bar and one of tn,
most valuable characters in the his
), tory of our city. He was man o
deep convictions, but unlike most mel
of the kind, he was not bigoted. Hi
greatest trait was an ample charit.
: for all the frailties of humanity. HI
} did not condemn. He helped"
Judge Kelly on behalf of the bencl
read tribute to Mr.. O'Brien as frien'
and lawyer. "He never varied a hair
breadth from the letter and spirit o
: the beautiful oath of our profession
Many homes in this city revere hi
memory for needed counsel given il
distress without money and withou
price. His everyday life was opel
and manly and brave, and his men
ory should remain for us all an il
spiration. To meet with him was
benediction."
The memorial ceremonies ende
with remarks by Judge H. R. Brill.
The real secret of Mr.. O'Brien'
greatness lay in the fact that he wa
man of deep religious convictio
and faith. For him religion was tn
:, most important matter of life: nc
: religion that consisted merely i
D words, but that deep, abiding, spiri
v of faith in God, spirit which mad
4 him love God fervently and love hi
E fellow-man with the charity an
e forcefulness that only the Catholi
, Church can produce Mr.. O'Brien wa
. a great legal light, but he was befor
: all things else a great Catholic.