University of California.

LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF HON, WIL- LIS A. GORMAN.

COMPILED FROM OBITUARY NOTICES IN THE ST. PAUL

JOURNALS.

[Ex-Gov. W. A. GORMAN died at his residence in St. Paul, May 20tl), 1876, at 2 o'clock, p. m., after a brief illness.]

WILLIS ARNOLD GORMAN, only son of DAVID L. and ELIZA- BETH GORMAN, and one of two children, was bom on the 12th day of January, 1816, near Flemingsburgh, in the county of Fleming, Kentucky. He received a tiiorough primary and collegiate education, arid early applied himself to the study of the law.

At the age of twenty he was admitted to the har, and in August, 1835, removed to Bloomington, Indiana, where he began the practice of his profession. Without money or friends. Mr. GORMAN here encountered many difficulties in the way of his professional advancement, which only an in- domitable energy could surmount. He made his debut at the Monroe county bar within a few weeks of his arrival at Bioom- ington, in the defense of one POLLY, charged with murder. POLLY was guilty, the crime having been witnessed by many citizens, but Mr. GORMAN succeeded in obtaining his acquittal before the jury. This at once made him popular.

In January, 1836, he married MARTHA STONE, daughter of ELLIS STONE, a much respected citizen of Monroe county.

His natural ability and great popularity, induced his friends to urge him to a public career, and when but twenty-three years old, he was elected to represent his county in the State legislature, which position he filled, with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, for five or six terms, and

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 315

until the breaking out of the Mexican war. Then Mr. GOR- MAN was among the first to offer his services to his country, which he did by volunteering as a private, in a Bloomington company, which was to be attached to the 4i Third Indiana Regiment." In June, 1846, the regiment was mustered into service at New Albany, for one year. Before embarking for the seat of war, an election of officers was held, and JAMES H. LANE (since U. S. Senator from Kansas), was chosen Colonel, and Mr. GORMAN, Major.

This regiment rendered signal service during the first year's campaign in Mexico, and achieved particular distinc- tion on the field of Buena Vista. Major GORMAN had the honor of bringing on this battle, as under order of General TAYLOR, he, with his command of five hundred riflemen, made the assault upon the enemy's flank which opened the engage- ment. In this fight every fourth man in GORMAN'S command fell. He received the compliments of his superior officers for the bravery, coolness and tact exhibited fry him in this bloody conflict. During the battle his horse was shot, and fell, with his rider, into a deep ravine; but, although the Major was severely injured by this fall (from the effects of which he never fully recovered), he kept command of his battalion until the enemy fled.

In May, 1847, its term of enlistment having expired, the regiment returned home. Immediately Major GORMAN began the organization of the " Fourth Indiana Regiment," of which he was unanimously elected Colonel. This regiment first participated in battle at the capture of Humantala, and was the first to plant the American flag over the city. The regi- ment afterwards participated in a number of battles, among which were "Atilixco," "Puebla," "Tlascala," and "El Final."

In August, 1849, after his return from Mexico, Col. GORMAN was chosen to represent his district in Congress, which posi- tion he filled for two terms. While in Congress he was dis- tinguished for his readiness and versatility in debate. At that time the Senate had among its members men famous in the history of our country, such as DANIEL WEBSTER, THOMAS H. BENTON, LEWIS CASS, DANIEL S. DICKINSON, JOHN C. CALHOUN,

316 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

SALMON P. CHASE, and others of the great men of those days, while in the body of which he was a member, there were many who had already, or since have, inscribed their names on the brightest pages of the recorded events of the times. Then the great question agitating the public mind was that of slavery, the agitation of which dates back to 1833, and which finally culminated in the great civil war, in which he later bore so conspicuous a part, In these discussions, and others coming before the House, Col. GORMAN early took an active part, distinguishing himself for the clearness of his views, and the force and earnestness with which they were advanced. In 1851, Col. GORMAN was re-elected to Congress from his district, thus serving four years in that body.

When FRANKLIN PIERCE became President in 1853, he ap- pointed Colonel GORMAN, Governor of the then Territory of Minnesota, to assume the position of which, he reached St. Paul May 13th, taking possession of the office two days fol- lowing, the loth, soon thereafter announcing the following appointments : SOCRATES NELSON, Auditor; LAFAYETTE EMMETT, Attorney General; GEORGE W. PRESCOTT, Superin- tendent of Public Instruction; ROBT. A. SMITH, State Libra- rian and Private Secretary; ROSWELL P. RUSSELL, Treasurer; S. B. LOWRY, Adjutant General; ANDREW J. WHITNEY, Clerk of the Supreme Court. Gifted with a firm and strikingly handsome person, with an impressive manner, with great natural endowments as an orator, and with much force and energy of character, he at once took a leading part in the politics of the State.

It was during his administration that the celebrated land question came up, and the Governor took a firm stand for what he considered the interests of the people. He recom- mended, in the distribution of the lands among the railroads, the state should receive at least three per cent of the gross earnings of the roads in lieu of general taxation. Over this question a bitter opposition was raised against him. The first bill introduced was to grant land to the Northwestern rail- road company. This he vetoed, because it did not secure to the State such a bonus, in lieu of taxation, as he thought the State should have. He was firmly resolved to abide by his

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN". 317

decision, and a compromise was finally effected. It is to his exertions, therefore, that may be attributed in a great, meas- ure, the present income of three per cent upon all the land grants in the State.

It was during this contest that an incident occurred, illus- trative of his strict integrity and his utter abhorrence of any- thing approaching a bribe. Seated in the Governor's office one day, a fine appearing, well dressed man of the world, was ushered in. After a few minutes spent in talk of a gen- eral nature, the visitor directed the conversation to the all- absorbing railroad bill, and finally, after much beating about the bush, he managed to convey to the Governor the proffer of $30,000 it he would withdraw his opposition to the measure of the railroad men. Without a moment's hesitation, Gen- eral GORMAN jumped to his feet, and with a voice that rang through the room as the blast of a bugle, while his eyes and every feature of his face expressed the utmost scorn, and in language more forcible than polite, he ordered his visitor out of the room before he broke every bone in his body. Speak- ing of this incident in later years, the visitor was wont to re- mark, that " Governor GORMAN was a very unhealthy person to approach with an offer of a bribe."

Another characteristic incident is told in connection with the late J. Ross BROWNE. During President PIERCE'S admin- istration, Mr. BROWNE was sent out to examine and report upon affairs in the various territorial governments. Among those visited, was Governor GORMAN. At that time territorial gov- ernors were the custodians of Indian funds. Then the money of the country was specie, silver and gold, of all denomina- tions, ranging from the silver five cent piece to the twenty dollar gold piece. Reaching St. Paul, Mr. BROWNE soon thereafter called upon Governor GORMAN. As delicately as possible he made known the object of his visit, desiring to be shown the Governor's account of receipts and disbursements and the amount of funds on hand. The mere doubt or fear expressed in the sending of such an agent of the government, that he was not faithfully discharging his trust, aroused the ire of the Governor, and he shouted out, his voice trembling with illy suppressed indignation: " What ! do you or the

318 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

government take me for a thief ?" Mr. BROWNE ex- plained, and finally the examination was commenced. The books were gone over and the receipts and disbursements care- fully noted. Then the counting of the money was com- menced. After going through with two or three bags, and find- ing the amounts corresponding with the marks on the outside, Mr. BROWNE proposed to merely take the marked amounts on the others, as evidence of the sums they contained. " Not so," said General GORMAN. "You have commenced to investi- gate my expenditures, and, sir, you shall not leave this room before you have counted every piece of that mone}', and found that my accounts are square to a cent." And Mr. BROWNE had to count the money, finding, upon completing the task, that the Governor's accounts were "square to a cent."

During his administration he made it a point to deal fairly and justly with the Indians; and, by his policy, uniform peace and good order prevailed among all the tribes. By order of the general government, he made several treaties with the In- dians, in 1854-5, all of which were accomplished with entire peace and harmony, and to the satisfaction of the government and the Indians. In behalf of these several tribes, Gov. GOR- MAN disbursed upward of a million dollars for the general government, without it, or the Indians, losing one dollar. An incident illustrating his firmness and prompt decision in critical moments, may be mentioned in this connection. In 1853 he was ordered by the government to remove the Sioux bands from their homes on the west banks of the Mississippi, opposite St. Paul, to their own reservation at Redwood and Yellow Medicine, as provided by treaty. As there were up- wards of six thousand Indians upon the Mississippi and Minne- sota rivers, and among them the celebrated chiefs, LITTLE CROW and WABASHA, this undertaking was considered a difficult and extremely delicate task. The governor, however, after taking counsel with such men as Gov. SIBLEY, PHILANDER PRESCOTT,1 FRANKLIN STEELE, H. M. RICE. GEORGE CULYER,

1. PHILANDER PRESCOTT was born at Phelps, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1801. In 1819 he left home in company with his brother, ZACHARIAH W. and engaged in the fur trade among the Dakotas ; marrying in 1823, a daughter of one of their chiefs, Kee-e-Hei (THE MAN THAT FLIES.) This wife afterwards became a Christian

LIFE OF KON. W. A. GORMAN. 319

JOHN FARRINGTON, N. MY RICK, ALEXIS BAILLY/ ALEX. FARIBAULT and W.H. FORBES, to all and to each of whom he ever expressed the greatest obligations, commenced the re- moval of the Indians, only aided by two or three interpreters, and JOSEPH R. BROWN and a few other old traders. He ac- companied the Indians on their long and tedious march, and although he had with him $250,000 in gold for the tribe?, he took no force or guard, but permitted the Indians to guard the money themselves. The journey was accomplished in safety, with but one slight incident, above alluded to. When the Indians arrived at the "Big Woods," at a point near where Belle Plaine is at present, they demanded a ubig talk," or council, with uthe man with the eagle's eye," as they styled the Governor. Their request was granted. The coun- cil ring was formed, and the chiefs centered about the Gover- nor. The chief, WABASHA, first addressed the Governor, speaking about as follows: ""You have given us plenty of flour, and plenty of beef and white man's meat. But Indians love venison. Our young men want to hunt. The fall hunt is now approaching. When you leave us, your beef will soon be gone. We will have no fresh meat, or dried beef for win.

and was baptized by the name of MARY. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. ELI PETTUOHN, in Shakopee, in 1807, much respected.

Mr. PRESCOTT soon obtained great influence among the Dakotas. He was in the service of the government as agent, interpreter, farmer, etc., for many years, and was a valuable and trusted official. He was a man of considerable education, strong good sense, and acute mental qualities, and wrote many val- uable papers on Indian matters, agriculture, reports of agency affairs, etc. A valuable article by him is in SCHOOLCRAFI'S Indian Tribes. He was stationed most of the time, from 1837 to 1855, at Ft. Snelling, and when that post was abandoned by the U. S., he removed to Redwood, where he was Indian farmer at the time of the outbreak. On Aug. 10, 1862, the Indians savagely murdered him near Ft. Ridgely, though he had been their friend and benefactor for forty years. He wrote a short time before, a memoir of his life, which covered 60 pages of manuscript, but, it is feared, is now lost. W.

1. ALEXIS BAILLY was born in Michigan. Dec. 14, 1798. He came to Mendota about 1S24, and embarked in the fur trade there. He .was, soon after, married to Miss LUCY FARIBAULT, (daughter of ALEX. FARIBAULT,) who died several years later. Mr. BAILLY sold his Mendota post to H. H. SIBLEY, in 1835, and about 1840 embarked in trade at Wabasha, where he built a warehouse and store, and remained in business there until the close of his life, though having an interest in the Indian trade at other points. He was a member of the House of ^Representatives of the First Territorial Legislature. In 1856, he married (at St. Paul) Miss JULIA COREY, of Cooperstown, N. Y., a sister of Mrs. WM. H. FORBES, and Mrs. Louis BLUM, of St. Paul. Mr. BAILLY died at Wabasha, June 3, 1861. W.

320 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

ter; when we reach our new home the buffalo will run away. Unless our great father permits us to kill game in the Big Woods, our squaws and papooses will starve next winter." When this speech was finished, EAGLE and RED IRON fol- lowed, insisting that they be permitted to make their fall hunt in the Big Woods. The Governor appreciated the situ- ation, but was determined not to yield to a demand so incon- venient to all concerned. He replied that he would like to please them, but they had made a treaty; had sold their lands, and were to be paid in regular yearly installments within twenty years. The government would not see them starve, but would help them adopt some part of the white man's habits, and for this purpose would give them imple- ments, and furnish farmers to instruct them. They could not remain there longer than three days. As he finished, one of the warriors of the Lake Calhoun band arose, and said that the traders would get all their money, and they must stay there until the "next moon11 anyhow. LITTLE CROW in the meantime had been silent, but he now arose, and in a loud voice said: "If we stay down here and get our money, the traders will be sure to get it, and all our blankets. We have agreed to go, and we must do as our great father asks us. But we would like some better cattle than you have along.11 He sat down, and the young Calhoun Lake warrior again arose, and said determinedly that the chiefs and women might go on, but the young men would stay; they wouldn't go. At this, the Governor in wrath, told the interpreter to tell that young man he should go to Redwood, if he had to send to Fort Snelling for troops. The council then broke up, and the Indians retired to a private consultation. That night the governor secretly sent a messenger to the fort, asking for a force, and by nine o'clock the next day, one hundred dra- goons, under Capt. McGRUDER, with' a battery of artillery, drew up before the astonished Indians. After a while, LITTLE CROW made the soldiers a speech advising them to go on, and the Indians all gathered about the Governor to shake hands with him, assuring him of their willingness to start.

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 321

No further trouble was experienced. The bands settled quietly down upon their new lands, and remained in that con- dition for eight years — until 1862.

Many more instances might be related, but these will suffice.

In short, the administration of Governor GORMAN was of that character outlined in the closing extract of his first message to the Council and House of Representatives, when he said :

" I hope that in your legislation you may find it profitable to refer fre- quently to the great political truths that have guided those wise states- men of the past, and illuminated the path and progress of republican liberty throughout this great confederacy. Give the people the largest political rights consistent with the constitution of the United States and the organic act of the Territory. Enforce the strictest obedience to the laws. Be guided by the safest economy in all public expenditures; let your action be controlled by the rule that the l rig Jit is always expedient.'' Encourage a high morality amongst the people. Guard the weak against the strong. Give equal rights to all, exclusive privileges to none. And thus, by keeping these great truths before our eyes, we shall merit and receive the approbation of Him who holds the destiny of nations in His hand, and lay the foundation, broad and deep, fora state in whose destiny we shall all be proud."

In 1857 Governor GORMAN was succeeded by Hon. SAMUEL MEDARY/ appointed by President BUCHANAN. Gov. ME- DARY arrived in St. Paul April 22d, and at once assumed the gubernatorial chair. At the election June 1st, for delegates to the constitutional convention, Governor GORMAN was

1. SAMUEL MEDARY, Governor of Minnesota, 1857-58, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., Feb. 25, 1801. His early education was limited, but he became a printer, and acquired a large fund of general information. Taking a great in- terest in politics, he joined the Jackson party, and remained an adherent of it through life. He was for many years editor of the Ohio Statesman, published at Columbus, O. His editorials, though lacking in polish, were full of vigor, and he became one of the leading men of his party in Ohio. Though a personal friend of DOUGLAS, he separated from the latter when he opposed BUCHANAN. He was, by the latter President, appointed Governor of Minnesota in March, 1857, and soon after assumed the executive chair. He delivered two messages to the Legislature, one to the extra session, and one to the "State" Legislature in December. He never made St. Paul his actual residence, and during the de- lay In the admission of the State, returned to Columbus. He was, not long afterward, appointed Governor of Kansas, which post he filled a few months, in 1858-59. During the war of secession, he was a "Peace Democrat." He died in Columbus Nov. 7, 1864, from the effects, it is asserted, of poison taken at the dinner table of the National Hotel in Washington, in 1857, when President BUCHANAN and others were so nearly fatally poisoned. W.

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elected from St. Paul, and took an active part in the discus- sion of the various measures considered by that body. He was a candidate for a seat in the U. S. Senate before the Ter- ritorial Legislature in 1858, but was defeated by a division of his party friends. In the fall of 1859 he was elected a Rep- resentative, but owing to the very long session of the year previous, the Governor did not call the Legislature together.

In the Presidential election of 1860, Governor GORMAN took a prominent part, ably and earnestly championing the claims of " The Little Giant/' Hon. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. He was chosen a delegate to the "Charleston convention."

The following year, when the mutterings preceding the late war began to be heard. Governor GORMAN early an- nounced himself as an unqualified Unionist. When the first war meeting was held in St. Paul, after the fall of Suinter, he made a stirring, eloquent and fervid appeal to the patriot- ism of the citizens, that gave a tone and direction to the feel- ing of the city. He also set an example by promptly offering his services for the war. His services were accepted by Gov- ernor RAMSEY, by whom he was authorized to raise a regi- ment. In the excitement then existing, this was soon ac- complished, the regiment being designated the First Minne- sota Infantry, and on the 29th of April, Gov. GORMAN was commissioned Colonel, STEPHEN MILLER Lieutenant-Colonel, and WM. H. DIKE Major. The regiment was ordered to Washington June 14th, 1861, where it was assigned to Gen. MCDOWELL'S command, by which the battle of the first Bull Run was fought and lost. In this engagement the regi- ment and Col. GORMAN attracted much notice by their gal- lantry. On returning to Washington, Col. GORMAN was placed in command of the Brigade composed of the First Min- nesota, 82d New York, 15th Massachusetts, and 34th New York. On the 17th of September following, in recognition of his gallant conduct in the Bull Run engagement, and his soldierly qualities, he was, upon the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, Gen. SCOTT, appointed Brigadier Gen- eral of volunteers, his being one of the first promotions made from the volunteer service. October 22d following, his Brig- ade took part in the battle of Ball's Bluff, his old regiment,

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 323

the First, having the advance in the crossing at Edward's Ferry, and covering the retreat after the defeat. Gen. GOR- MAN was second in command of this force, and often was in full command, by the absence of Gen. STONE.

The following spring Gen. GORMAN'S brigade formed a por- tion of the column which advanced on Richmond by way of the Peninsula. An attack of fever, however, compelled his relinquishment of the command while the campaign was in progress, and his return to Washington. Later in the season, after POPE'S disastrous campaign, Gen. GORMAN was again able to take the field, accompanying Gen. MCCLELLAN'S col- umn on its march to intercept LEE, at the time of his first invasion of Maryland, and participating in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. In. the latter, the casualties of battle gave him the command of his division, the Second Division, Second Army Corps, in which he continued until the re-organization of the army following Gen. MCCLELLAN'S removal. In the changes then occurring, Gen. GORMAN was ordered to the Southwest, where he remained, performing the duties assigned to him until the latter part of 1864, when, after nearly four years of active and laborious service, with credit to himself and his State, he laid aside his military trappings and honors, and sought in private life, that rest and recupera- tion to which he was so well entitled, and of which he stood so much in need

Returning to St. Paul, Gen. GORMAN, after a short season of rest, iormed a law partnership with Hon. C. K. DAVIS. In 1869 he was elected City Attorney, which office he held at the time ot his death, being re-elected in 1871, 1873 and 1875. In this office he labored at the expense of the acquisition of wealth, and to the detriment of his health, which became seriously impaired a year or two ago ; his decline exciting the interest and fears of his most intimate friends, though he himself attended to his official duties with the same self- denying devotion which ever marked his public career.

Gen. GORMAN had been twice married; first at Blooming- ton, Indiana, January, 1836, to Miss MARTHA STONE, and second to Miss EMILY NEWINGTON, at Christ Church, this city, by the late Rev. S. Y. McMASTERS, April 27, 1865, this

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estimable lady surviving her husband to mourn her irrepara- ble loss. By the union with Miss MARTHA STONE, there were five children, as follows: R. F. GORMAN, the eldest, and present clerk of the Board of Public Works; JAMES W. GOR- MAN, who was Assistant Adjutant General on the General's staff from September, 1862, up to the time of his death, which occurred at Indianapolis, Indiana, February 19, 1873, from disease contracted in the service; LOUISA G., former wife of HARVEY OFFICER, Esq., who died of Consumption, March, 4, 1870; E. S. GORMAN, practicing attorney at law in this city, and MARTHA B., now Mrs. WOOD, residing at Evansville, Indiana. The mother of these children departed this life at Bloomington, Indiana, the home of her maidenhood, where she was temporarily residing, during the absence of General GORMAN with his military command, March 1, 1864. By the last union there was no issue.

Though Gen. GORMAN possessed some eccentric traits of character, the effect of an ardent and impetuous temperament, which were not favorable to sustained success as a politician, he always maintained a leading and influential position in his party. His ready eloquence and fine abilities were always at its service, and his enthusiastic devotion to its cause, almost recalled the generous ardor of a knight of the Crusades. He displayed the courage, the impetuosity, and the independence of his character, in his vigorous opposition to various schemes re- lating to the material development of the State, such as the Five Million Loan Bill, which he thought unwise and dis- honest, though supported by the most powerful political com- binations of the time.

Socially, Gen. GORMAN was a very agreeable gentleman, and in all the relations of life a warm-hearted, kind, and gen- erous man. His faults were those arising from the impulsive- ness of an ardent temperament, and a lively imagination. But there was no element of meanness or maliciousness in his character. * * * In his demise, hundreds felt that they had lost a warm and valued personal friend; and though he led an active life, which brought him into strong political contests, he laid down his well-worn armor without leaving any bitterness

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 325

behind. On the contrary, the mourning was general and well nigh universal. * * *

He knew that his end had come, and he met it bravely. Yesterday morning [May 19. J he took leave of his family, and with Spartan and eloquent firmness, addressed each personally, giving precepts and advice which will never be forgotten. Bishops GRACE and IRELAND had already administered to him extreme unction, and he feelingly enjoined upon his chil- dren to adhere to the Catholic Church. Though his body was helpless, his intellect was clear; and while weeping friends stood around, he spoke with such force and tenderness as to render it one of the most touching death-bed scenes ever wit- nessed.

The news of the death [May 20.] spread with rapidity over the city, and flags were hoisted at half mast over the State Capitol, Custom Hoase, City Hall, and the engine houses.

THE OBSEQUIES. From the Pioneer-Press, May 24, 1876.

Yesterday was one of the most beautiful spring days that ever dawned. Nature wore her brightest smile, but the hearts of the people of this city were sad and heavy; for it was their painful duty, on that perfect day, to follow to its last resting place, the remains of one of their number who had long held a position of honor in their councils and in their hearts. They were to pay the last tribute of affection, and look for the last time upon the features, of one who for nearly a quar- ter of a century has moved among them, and who now had the affectionate regards of all.

The death of such a man is regarded as a public calamity, and hence, yesterday, the day of the funeral of the lamented deceased, was a day of general mourning, and during the hours devoted to the funeral services, business was almost suspended. Men left the marts of trade to pay their last sad respects to the departed citizen.

The hour set for the service was half past ten in the morn- ing, and long before that time, throngs flowed into the spa- cious cathedral, or gathered in its vicinity, awaiting the arri-

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val of the funeral cortege. On every side were heard eulogies of the deceased; all remembered him with kindness, and spoke ot him in terms of praise. As the hour approached, the Bar Association, numbering upwards of seventy lawyers, filed into the cathedral, headed by the Judges of the Supreme and Dis- trict Courts, and the Court of Common Pleas. They were seated in pews at the left of the center aisle. Shortly after, an escort of forty guns, from the 20th U. S. Infantry, officered by Capt. Cos and Lieuts. WISHARD and BANNISTER, appeared with the full regimental band, and took position in front of the church. Gen. SYKES, of the 20th, arrived with his staff, and passed to sittings reserved for them.

In the meantime, an escort consisting of the Mayor and Council, the city officers, the veterans of the Mexican war, many members of the old Minnesota 1st, the Acker Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a large body of the members of the fire department, had proceeded with the Great Western band to the house of mourning. Receiving the re- mains, the procession escorted it and the bereaved family to the Cathedral, passing up College avenue to St. Anthony hill, and thence by Third, Wabasha and Sixth streets.

The plain, rich casket was lifted from the hearse and car- ried by the pall bearers to the steps of the sanctuary. The friends who were selected for this sad task were Gen. H. H. SIBLEY, H. M. RICE, J. S. PRINCE, J. M. GILMAN, H. F. MAS- TERSON, MORRIS LAMPREY, Col. ROBERTSON and JAMES STAR- KEY. The bearers occupied the front pews in the center aisle, immediately in front of the members of the family, who mourned a loving husband, father and friend. Back of them, and filling the great number of pews on each side of the long aisle, were the citizen soldiery who had been comrades with the General in times of war, while behind the Bar Association were located Gov. PILLSBURY, with the State officers, ex-Gov. DAVIS, Mayor MAXFIELD, the City Council, the county officers and county board, and representatives from the Stock Raisers' Association, the State Agricultural society and other organi- zations with which the deceased was connected. The remain- der of the space in the great edifice, was thronged with sympa- thizing citizens and their families.

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 327

The sanctuary wore the sable garb of mourning, and the glancing beams of the blazing star over the high altar, shed a mystic light upon the funeral symbols. The impressive requiem mass was celebrated, Rev. Father JOHN SHANLEY officiating, the grand music by MULLER being finely rendered by a choir of about twenty singers. A most tender and eloquent funeral sermon was preached by Rt. Rev. Bishop IRELAND, who selected the words: " It is appointed unto man once to die, and after death the judgment/' The discourse produced a profound impression on the immense congrega- tion, and it was indeed a beautiful tribute to the dead. The preacher closed with an impressive peroration, after which the last sad rites were performed over the remains. The casket was then opened and thousands gazed for the last time upon the honored and familiar face.

The pall bearers again raising the coffin, on whose lid had been placed a cross, an anchor, a star and a .wreath, all wrought of beautiful cut flowers, passed from the church as the organist played a requiem march. The procession was of great length, and presented a most imposing appearance, surpassing any ever before seen in this community. It passed up Wabasha street to Rice, where all of the escort on foot, except the detachment of the regular army, filed from the line and returned to the city. On reaching Oakland ceme- tery, the cortege proceeded directly to the beautiful family lot in the western corner of the grounds, and in the presence of the family and friends, the remains of General GORMAN were gently lowered to their last resting place, and after many dear ones had bestowed floral ofterings upon the lid of the coffin, the firing party of the Twentieth infantry dis- charged three volleys over the grave, the soldiers' salute to a comrade gone. Slowly and sadl}', the bereaved friends sought their carriages, and returned to the busy scenes of life.

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EULOGY BY EX-GOV. C. K. DAVIS, BEFORE THE RAMSEY COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting: of the Ramsey County Bar Association, held on May 24, 1876, Gen. JOHN B. SANBORN offered resolutions expressive of the respect felt by the Bar for their deceased associate, and their sorrow at his loss, accompanying them by a warm eulogy on his character.

Ex-Gov. CUSHMAN K. DAVIS then spoke as follows:

Mr. PRESIDENT: The custom which directs the bar to com- memorate the virtues and abilities of its departed members by making the record of justice the depository of such tri- butes as have just been rendered, is at no time so fully vindi- cated as on occasions like this, when the oldest lawyer at the bar is summoned to go the way of all the earth.

It is in a certain sense a final and irreversible judgment of affirmance pronounced upon the record of a well spent life. Gen. GORMAN was a man who, in his time, played many parts, and no estimate of him will be nearly adequate, which does not take them all into consideration, not only to illus- trate his merits, but also to explain how immaterial are the imperfections which necessarily inhere in, but do not blemish a character, which has been tried by so many tests. Many a man, by adhering to the plane and level of one profession, ar- rives at that dull and uninteresting perfection which leaves nothing for panegyric, but common place, and absolutely nothing for censure. This father of our bar was not of these; he was a soldier, a statesman and a lawyer. He ran those careers, and each with honor. He has received the cavil and the praise incident to each, and at the end of each has been met with honor by those who sent him forth. Tt is probably because my personal relations to him, during and since the late war, were so intimate, that I have been asked to give ex- pression of the sentiments which are entertained towards him by his professional brethren, who knew him better than any others.

The declaration of war with Mexico, found him a young man in the fullness of his intellectual and physical vigor. At the first call of his country, he was one of the first to answer, and from the beginning to the end of that war of aggrandize- ment and conquest, which resulted in giving to the nation,

LIFE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 329

not only its dominant position upon the Pacific, but also ter- ritorial and political symmetry throughout, he was con tin- ally in the field, participating in every battle fought by the army to which he belonged, and what is of equal, though perhaps of less resplendent glory, aiding by his civil abilities to make the history of the military occupation of the con- quered country so honorable to our nation, by its freedom trom rapine, and from that victorious insolence which gener- ally marks the demeanor of successful invaders. He was for a time, military Governor of one of the largest Mexican cities, and it is the concurrent testimony of all who witnessed his administration, that the prese ace of the conquering army was hardly felt, The courts of justice were opened. The magis- tracy was sustained in its administration of the law of that land. No temple was desecrated, no sacred bound of proper- ty was broken down, no domestic privacy was invaded, no private right was infringed. He came from that contest with honorable hurts of body, but bearing a secure record of duty well performed by a patriot.

When the war for the Union began, the first gun fired by the hands of confederate traitors, aroused all of the patriot- ism of his nature. It is not for me to tell you who heard and saw all that he did then, to recite his stirring appeals for the perpetuity of the Union of our fathers; how he forgot party; how utterly he abhorred the timorous and vacillating cry of "peace/' when there was no peace; how, at his call, was marshalled, with electric quickness, that first regiment, the pride and glory of the State, whose record under his com- mand is written, ineffaceably, in the history of those dark and doubtful days, when Liberty stood stabbed and tottering among her contending sons.

During the latter part of his military career, my relations toward him were most intimate. His demeanor towards me was most paternal. I was struck at once with his desire for the subordination of the military to the civil law. I never knew him to countenance the use of the military power to abridge or.to decide a civil right. As characteristic of his dis- position, I may mention that when he assumed command at Helena, the city had been in federal occupation for nearly

330 MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

one year. Every trace of civil administration was gone. The courts had been closed for months. It was an important commercial point, and within that time some very extensive mercantile establishments had been founded, whose large transactions necessarily gave rise to legal questions. Appeals to him for redress of clear grievances were frequent. He would not be persuaded to touch them by any direct decision of his own. He selected from his command three officers, each eminent members of the legal profession, established a court of civil jurisdiction, of which they were the judges. They were ordered to proceed according to the form of the common law, upon matters which had arisen since the cap- ture of the city. I remember particularly one important case, where a bill was filed for the dissolution of a mercantile partnership, upon charges of fraud against the resident and managing partner. A receiver was appointed, the accounts were stated, and the entire business closed most equitably. Ex-United States Senator SEBASTIAN was one of the counsel in the case, and was unqualified in his praise of the integrit}7 and ability of the court. The stability and security which were thus given to the business interests of the town, can hardly be appreciated by any one who has not witnessed the utter lawlessness of transient civilians, in places which are under military rule solely. It is well known that on many political questions which were necessarily incident to the conduct of the war, his views were not in accordance with many of the extreme measures which the administration felt compelled to adopt. As a matter of personal judgment, he was never convinced of the necessity of arming the freedmen, though he warmly approved their emancipation.

But when it became apparent that the administration was about to arm the colored people, he anticipated its action by organizing and drilling a regiment of freedmen, so that when the orders came to put arms into the hands of these people they were ready to receive them and go into the service. This regiment was the First Arkansas, and did its full duty in aid- ing to repel the attack which was made upon the town on the morning of July 4, 1864.'

As a statesman he was prominently identified, as a member

LIIE OF HON. W. A. GORMAN. 331

of Congress, with the compromise measures which were so fully discussed in 1£19 and 1850. He bore a most conspicuous and honorable part in shaping the frame of our present State government. ILs adnji'j'st ration while Governor of the Terri- tory was marked by independence, ability and honesty. He was never accused of being the tool or property of any ring or clique. They who remember, most distinctly and with some feeling, the warm contests of that period, do not charge him with betrayal of any trust. Among his acts as a mem- ber of the Constitutional Convention, he was accustomed to' recur, with honorable pride, to his efforts in aiding to establish the policy of this State, in regard to the Common School Fund.

His errors, if there are any, are forgotten, for they are upon collateral and transitory questions. In all that pertained to the permanent well-being of the State, his actions have stood the test of time, and none of their results ever arose in reproach against him in his latter years.

In his profession, he had no superior as an advocate. His devotion to a client knew no bounds, and he brought to the trial of any case in which he was engaged, resources and tact which made him a most dangerous antagonist. When he had mastered the legal principles involved in a case, his pre- sentation of them to the court was marked with great power of reasoning and precision of statement. The last years of his life were engrossed in the legal business incident to the office of City Attorney, and all of us know how entirely he devoted himself to its duties; how faithful he was to the in- terests of this community. He was a lovable man. There was no kinder neighbor. No man ever heard him derogate, by a malignant word, the fair fame of man or woman. He preserved, through hit long and difficult career, that purity of mind, which is so'often lost under the influence of great success, or great disappointments. He never did, or coun- selled, a mean act. His position on any question could be ascertained for the asking. His large generosity expanded in the praise of other men; he had none of that spirit of detrac-

40

332 MINNESOTA HISTOKICAL COLLECTIONS.

tion which speaks to their detriment. Who is there of us who would be more missed than he ?

Never again for any of us in this world will glance that kindly eye — will sound that sweet and sympathetic voice — will clasp that warm and stainless hand.

He might have filled a larger space in the view of men, but we could not have loved and honored him more, had he been one

" Who makes by force his merit known, And lives to clutch the golden keys, To mould a mighty State's decrees, And shape the whisper of the throne."

It is one of the facts to which we cannot reconcile our- selves, that the force of such personal examples as his, per- ishes so soon. Nothing is permanent but the permanency of change; and the sure and saddening change in which a good man disappears, and shortly after, his memory and his works go after him, "Like a dream of the shadow of smoke," seems to us who, look with finite vision, like uncompensated loss. Let us protect him and his memory, as far as we may, against the inevitable resolution of all things into dim forgetfulness. Assuring ourselves that in our time we shall not see, fortunate will those who come after us be, if they can possess as a com- panion, so brave, so faithful, so spotless a man as WILLIS ARNOLD GORMAN.

CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT

202 Moin Librar

JAN 2 2 200

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, FORM NO. DD6, 60m, 1 2/80 BERKELEY, CA 947

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