Kansas University Weekly.
139
which adotte was. He office to the died in need of polican order of teacher insiable dismind, il, and the act and large issuing. a and a qualie-
but and
and not
meth-
party.
opted a
bands of
a convention outside of the party organization. The principles avowed by that convention were not hostile to, but in harmony with those held by the republican party of the nation. This revolt against the party organization of the state was intended to be a protest against mercenary and corrupt methods which had found firm lodgment in the party machinery of Kansas. We were in the midst of a war, a patriotic war it is true. But war always breeds demoralization It creates opportunities for cunning and greed to fatten and thrive, and opens the way for the selfish and unscrupulous display of arbitrary power. The vast official and material patronage practically under the control of a few men brought to their heels a numerous following. Where allurements failed to reach,intimidation was practiced Against these methods that convention raised its voice and put Judge Thacher to the front as the representative of their solemn protest.
A man can at times render a better service to his party by declared opposition to its methods than by a servile obedience to its behests. Many other republicans joined Judge Thacher in this revolt, the immediate result was doubtless considered by many a failure, but its purpose was not barren. It caused many thoughtful men to pause and to perceive that the habiliments of patriotism were unfit garments with which to clothe corruptionists and plunderers. The veterans in this bad business were beyond the touch of reform and were soon overwhelmed with the weight of their own transgressions.
It would greatly transgress the limits assigned me for this address to speak in detail of Judge Thacher's frequent services in the state legislature, either as a member of the house or senate. I believe that it is strictly within the bounds of truth to say that he was more frequently a member of that body and had more to do in fashioning the laws under which we live than any other man in Kansas.
It is of high importance that men of legislative experience and skill should be sent to that body. The laws which emanate from it furnish to the the people of the state nearly all those regulations which concern the possession, use, enjoyment and transmission of all kinds of property, the regulation of those personal relations which are involved in municipal law, the determination of the measure of local self government to be lodged in the subordinate divisions of the state, and the roles to be observed in all domestic concerns that come within the purview of legal relations, besides the management of those public institutions which in all progressive states, are placed under the fostering care of the government. There is scope for usefulness in the state legislature of a high order. Even within the scope of the constitution that body may inflict great mischiefs or confer inestimable benefits upon the people. In every legislative body there are many selfish schemes to be circumvented and many remedial and beneficial measures to be transmuted into law. But it is very rare that occasions arise in the course of state legislation to call forth the full exertions of the powers of an able man. He can be most useful in the practical work of legislation by eschewing an ambition to be brilliant and by cultivating in a quiet and unobtrusive manner the confidence and good will of his fellow members. In the observance of this practice lay much of the effectiveness and success as a legislator of Judge Thacher.
But it was not the gratification of a personal ambition that drew Judge Thacher so often to the halls of legislation. He never went without personal sacrifice to his own interests, for he was always a busy man, and he never busied himself about trifles. That his concern for the prosperity and welfare of the state was a matter of never ending solicitude with him is well known to those who knew him. But more especially was he attracted to that arena by the love he bore and concern he felt in the success of this great institution of learning. For years this institution had come to lean on that strong man to worthily present to the legislative body its claims and needs.
The people of Kansas have never manifested a lack of disposition to give adequate support to their schools and institutions of learning, and the equipment and high grade character of this University attests the liberality of the people of Kansas, and their appreciation of the value of that character of citizenship which a liberal education tends to establish.
But every institution of the kind needs a friend at court to advocate its claims to public support, and secure for it that sustenance necessary to its growth and development.
In Judge Thacher this University had a friend who listened to its minuteest appeals and whose loyalty never faltered. He not only esteemed it a privilege to work for it but he justly felt that it was an honor to be connected with it.
The duties of the legal profession absorbed the greater portion of Judge Thacher's active career. In these he achieved a high degree of success both as a practitioner at the bar and in the emoluments which success brings. During this period Judge Thacher became a familiar figure in many courts both state and federal. This indeed was the work for which he had made special preparation, and it absorbed the best energies of his life.
A lawyer's professional fame is not always in proportion to his ability.
Much depends upon his environment. The larger portion of the business that comes to a lawyer is disposed of without unusual effort. It is the cases presenting unusual features and peculiar difficulties, and upon which great interests, either public or private, depend that demand that order of ability which lawyers of high rank alone possess. Such was the case of the state vs Medlicott. This case presented novel phases. It involved an issue of life and death. The prosecution was conducted with great vigor and ability. The solution of some of the leading questions in the case was attended with doubt and difficulty. The testimony was very voluminous and, in portions of it, contradictory. There was a large amount of expert medical testimony which had to be dealt with and sifted with a skillful and discriminating mind. The case attracted marked and wide attention, as well from the novelty of the questions presented as the relations and character of the parties involved, and the great ability of Judge Thacher, who was the leading counsel in the case, and the masterly skill displayed placed him in the front rank of the legal profession. In saying this of Judge Thacher I need not disparage in the least able counsel who were associated with him in the case. There were no difficulties too great or problems too intricate in the practice and administration of law for him to deal with. He had studied law not by piecemeal or in detached portions with a view of making a specialty of one part to the neglect of other departments, but he had a comprehensive view of the whole field of jurisprudence. To his mind it was a coherent system evolved through the long ages of the past from the deepest ethical conceptions of the human mind, and its great purpose is to enable men to live in the presence of their fellows in security and peace.
He was a well rounded lawyer, entertaining a lively sense of the grave responsibilities attaching to the profession. The last words he addressed to the law students of this University in June last were finely expressive of this. How little we thought then that those words of grave wisdom constituted the final advice of a master to his disciples.
"Young men," said he in impressive tones, "deal honestly with your clients. Before you take them into court, satisfy yourselves by careful inquiry that they have rights to enforce and wrongs to be remedied. Do not add to their perplexities by introducing them to fruitless litigation. Be honest and candid with the court. While it is your duty to seek to serve with faithful diligence the interests of your clients never forget that justice and truth have supreme claims upon you. A legal victory gained at the expense of these is too