The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-10-15

EmME V NEAL
 - Emmet o'Neal was born at Flor ence, Alabama in 1853. His father was Edward A. oNeal. governor of Alabama from 1882 tC 1886. The pa- ternaI ancestors of Emmet o'Neal came from Ireland in the early part of the nineteenth century; they sub sequsntly moved from South Carolina to north Alabama Nils maternal am cestors were French Hugenots.
 At Florence. Alabama, in 1875, as 5unicr member of the firm of which his father was senior member. Elm met o'Neal began tho practice of law. His preparation for the law, and his broad classical education was se- cured while he was a student at Flor enee Wesleyan university, the Univer- sity of Mississippi and tho University of Alabama From the very begin ming of his career he displayed great interest and knowledge of political affairs. He frequently canvassed tho state for tho democratic party, and was more than once chosen by that party as presidential elector.
 In 1893 he became United States
  district of Alabama. Of the consti- futional convention of 1901 he was one of its most brilliant leaders and a member of its most important committees. He was president of the Alabama Bar association, which office both Emmet O'Neal and his distinguished father held prior to their election as governor. Emmet O'Neal was governor of Alabama from 1910 to 1914.
 At tho time of his death he was vice president of the American Bar association. Emmet ONeal died at Birmingham, Alabama, on the 7th day of September. 1922. and there survives him widow and two chill dren. Kirkman oNeal and Miss oli- via O'Neal.
 The subject of this sketch was q man Of distinguished appearance and of charming, pleasing personality. He was endowed with great fntelleo- tuality, and this great endowment he sought always to cultivate and make most useful. The science of government interested him most. and in this field he excelled. The in- heritance Of the Irish mingled with that of the French Hugenontss left impresses of these two races upon his character. The aggressive pug nacity of the one and the dignity and courtesy of the other, combined to make him the courageous. courtly, refined gentleman he was. As an orator, as man who commanded are of precise and chaste English in spoken form, delivered with force and brilliancy and eloquence. Ala bama has seldom, if ever, had his equal.
 Once his interest in a cause was aroused, he was bold. honest. fear less and untiring; always an implac- able foe to chicanery and fraud. He was open hearted and honest he gave every one else the credit of be- ing likewise; he implicitly trusted and cGnfided in his friends. at times to have his condolences abused and himself imposed upon.
 His enthusiasm to serve his state and his people, to maintain the prin- ciples of her government. to defend her against the demagegue and the entreator made him tho great and un- selfish and brilliant leader that he was. He never yielded his conscience for political ambition; if he thought a cause was right. 1t made no differ ence to him whether in espousing 1t 9le antagonized the majority. He be- 1leved in religious and political free dom. The members of all creeds to him were Gods creatures and were entitled to that reliBiSus AIeeuom which the forefathers had established by the constitution.
 He was one of Alabama's most brfl- liant and unselfish leaders. Ills death was 8 great public loss, a loss to his state. loss to the profession Of law. and less to tho community and his family. As was said on an- other occasion. 'verily. he was . gentleman. Take him all in all, of so many and such rare perfections that Sidney, or even Leo, would have loved to call him friend. And
 Tn these ears till hearing dies, ... One set slow bell will seem to toll,
 The passing ef as sweet a soul AS ever looked with human eyss.' . For gentle as he was the only pain or sorrow he ever caused his kindred. or the world was-whsA he died."
 Therefore. be it resolved by the Birmingham Bar association. that in the death of Emmet O'Neal the state of Alabama has lest ono of It's most brilliant servants and leaderA the profession of the law one of its dis tlnguished members.
 Resolved. that a copy of these rsso- Bympathfze with the relatives of our deceased brother in their great be- reavement.
 Resolved that . copy of these rsse- s1utions be spread upon tho minutss lcf the courts of this county. and . kcopy be sent to the relatives of tho [ B. M. ALLEN, Chairman. N GEORGE BoNDURANT. H HARRINGTON P. HEFLIN,
 A. LEO OBERDoRFER. H c. D. RITTER. ~ Committee.