bloom of youth is gone, and frosty fingers have turned the raven tresses to that early time into a snowy crown, still stands by our side, and, steadily looking forward, goes with us down into the narrowing vale, where the branches, bending lower and still lower above our heads, shut out the view and keep us from observation of the realm beyond. (Applause.) For her no gown is too rich or costly that human fingers can fashion, no gems of loving thought too priceless for which our human tongues can frame a setting. Call it a robe and that brings to us a sense of the dignity of the office they hold! A kingly robe brings to us a consciousness, not of the atom of mortality who occupies the place, but of the magnificent authority that'guides, directs and controls the fate and fortunes of a people. The priestly robe, while it may speak to us of the kindly men who minister to broken hearts and wounded feelings, still tells us of that worldwide dominion, and of that universal sway by which men's thoughts and feelings are turned to the upper air for the comfort, consolation and relief they would have. So does the judicial robe tell us of the mighty power and the tenderness, after all, of the judicial office, so kindly in its nature that it shelters the frailest right of the humble, so strong and invulnerable that it checks and stays the assault of the mightiest baron in the land. But it is time for me to disappear. I have felt, along with others of my age, the pressure from the younger generation, and the indication it was time to make room for their abundant vigor, and so the change is coming now, as it has been before, and as it will be in the future, so that change seems to be the order of the day and of our lives; change in thought and feeling, change in mind and manner, change in practice and procedure, but, after all, it will come to this younger generation, as it has come to us, that the great principles of law, the eternal truths on which we rest for the protection of human rights and the redress of human wrongs, are as unchangeable and enduring as the eternal twinkling of the stars. (Applause.) The President: Buffalo and Albany have had their innings, but this is really New York night. I am told that to-night is the last time for many years when a President from New York city can occupy this chair, and I propose to make the most of it. I, therefore, introduce to you a distinguished member of the Bar of New York city, Mr. J. M. Van Vechten Olcott, who will respond to the toast, "The Bar of New York City," and don't you forget there is such a place as New York city, or such a Bar as the Bar of that city. Mr. Olcott: Mr. President and Gentlemen of the State Bar Association: When I was told this evening that I was to speak I felt rather more embarrassed than the first time that I felt that I must address a judicial officer professionally. When, however, I listened to the speeches that have gone before, and especially that which has immediately preceded me, I felt as if this was a case where the following boat must fall in a wash that would unquestionably sink it. The reason I was called upon to answer to such an enormous toast as 'The Bar of New York City" was, not on account of my prominence at the Bar, but it was that I might act as a terrible example, and show the force of the appeal to the Court of Appeals. Have they not recently, gentlemen, handed down a decision which taxes goodwills of corporations? Do not I, in such a position as answering to "The Bar of New York City," tax the goodwill of this audience? Have they not shown by calling úpon me that the Court of Appeals, by virtue of its constitutional power, is able to thrust upon any set of people something that they do not desire? (Applause.) The President, in one of his introductions, called attention to the fact that here were a large number of lawyers assembled and but two laymen. The reason why there are so few members of the Bar of the city of New York present to-night is because that is about the proportion of lawyers and men of business and financial standing. The other members of the New York city Bar are down in New York chasing that slight proportion of laymen; otherwise there would be some of the members of that Bar, who could more fittingly respond to the toast. But, in all seriousness, what can one say? What can so humble a member of the Bar of the city of New York say of that Bar? You all know it. The judges of the Court of Appeals know it; they know perfectly well they could name hundreds of men who are known, not only in New York city, not only in the Empire State, not only in the United States, but who at the present time are shining and making the Bar of the city of the Empire State well known all over the world. Is not our Secretary of War, Mr. Elihu Root, doing so? Is not our Minister to the Court of St. James, Mr. Joseph H. Choate, doing so? Are there not, in every important department of our Government here or elsewhere throughout the world, members of the Bar of the city of New York, helping to accomplish what all of us must desire (and insisting that they must be successful), the aggrandizement of the United States of America first, and then the aggrandizement of the State of New York, and then of the city of New York? (Applause.) I really think that it was twenty-five years ago that I heard a story that may be pertinent, in regard to a meeting of a Bar Association, to take some proceedings in regard to one of the members of that Association that had departed. It is an ancient story, but it does bring in a few names of those who have shone in the city of New York as members of the Bar. The man, unfortunately, was guilty of that hopeless and unfortunate characteristic inability to remember names. He was asked, as a member of the younger Bar, to give his own recollection of this gentleman who had died. Very much embarrassed, he arose and said: "Gentlemen, this is a matter of great seriousness. Our brother has died; has gone the way of all flesh; he was a shining and lasting ornament to the Bar of the city of New York, and it seems to me that at this time it is pertinent for me to mention one or two of the gentlemen who have been distinguished publicly, who have been lawyers in New York State. You will all remember whom I mean, when I refer to one of Washington's most important advisers; he was a distinguished member of the Bar of the State of New York; of course, you know to whom I refer; his name was―(taking notes in hand) — Alexander Hamilton, and he had some unfortunate and unpleasant difficulties with another member of the New York Bar; perhaps not as great morally, but his equal in legal attainments; you remember just whom I refer to when I say this; his name was - his name was you will pardon me, but-Aaron Burr. And when we come down further in the history of the United States of America, you know there was a distinguished member of the New York Bar who afterwards became President of the United States; I think his name is trembling on the lips of every one of you, but I will mention that his name was (I really apologize again)-Martin Van Buren. And so, gentlemen, although our brother has died, and, although we are deeply regretful, yet, in all the walks of life, whether in sorrow or in joy, we must push onward to - the goal of perfectness and must necessarily be grateful at all times, be grateful, gentlemen, be grateful, gentlemen, to Almighty (pardon me once more) — God." The President: It wasn't my choice, but the command of Judge Finch this his introduction to the Presidency of the Association has been deferred until this stage of the evening. It has been the ambition of my life, not to be President of the New York State Bar Association, but to be an ex-President of the New York State Bar Association. That ambition is about to be fulfilled, in just three minutes. Other men, some men, ordinary Presidents of the Association, have had to serve two years before they were allowed this distinguished honor; Fiero had to serve two years, and Whitaker, but great Presidents like Rosendale and myself have been allowed that honor after a service of only one year. Before I introduce to you Judge Finch I want to say just one word for myself. The New York State Bar Association has treated me with distinguished consideration, and I shall ever regard.every member of the Association as my personal friend, and among the pleasantest experiences of my life, which I am only just commencing, that the lawyers of the State of New York thought me worthy of the position which I am now surrendering. Allow me to introduce to you Judge Finch. (Applause.) I want to introduce to you, Judge Finch, the most splendid body of men in the American nation, the New York State Bar Association. Judge Finch is now President. (Applause.) Judge Finch: Mr. President, you will please come back to your seat. Ex-President Logan: That is your seat. |