He had a
gift of simple eloquence; the influence with juries which
comes from earnestness and the profound conviction of the
righteousness of the cause he had advocated, and the weight
of an unsullied personal character and unquestioned integrity.
Mr. Aldrich's appointment to the Bench came rather late in
his life, so he was not promoted to the Supreme Court, which
would undoubtedly have happened if he had been younger. He
was an excellent magistrate and the author of one or two valuable
law books. Although my chief memories of him are of the many
occasions on which I have crossed swords with him, and of
battles when our feelings and sympathy were profoundly stirred,
still they are of the most affectionate character. He had
a quick temper and was easily moved to anger in the trial
of a case. But as an eminent western Judge is reported to
have said in speaking of some offence that had been committed
at the Bar, "This Court herself are naterally quick-tempered."
So the sparks of our quarrels went out as quickly as they
were kindled. I think of P. Emory Aldrich as a stanch and
constant friend, from whom, so long as his life lasted, I received
nothing but friendliest sympathy and constant and powerful
support.
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