LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 
 
 PRESENTED BY r" 
 
 UNITED STATES OP AMERItJA. 
 

 
^c 
 
MEMORIAL 
 
 IRA HARRIS 
 
 ALBANY: / 
 JOEL MITNSELL 
 
 18V6. 
 
.H5I 
 
cmovial of |va gatti^. 
 
 31EM0IR. 
 
 Ira Harris was born on the 31st day of May, 1802, 
 at Charleston in the county of Montgomery and state of 
 New York. He was the son of Frederick Waterman Har- 
 ris, and the eldest of a family often children. His mother's 
 maiden name was Lucy Hamilton. His parents removed 
 from Charleston in 1808 to Preble, Cortland county, and 
 settled upon a ftirm of some four hundred acres — rich val- 
 ley and mountain land — where l)y thrift and diligence they 
 secured to their children a condition in life superior to 
 that they had enjoyed. They were both natives of the 
 state ; on the father's side of English and on the mother's 
 of Scotch ancestry. The first paternal ancestor in this 
 country came from Deal, England, and joined the" colonists 
 led by Roger Williams to the shores of Narragansett. " 
 The first maternal ancestor in America emigrated from 
 Glasgow, Scotland. 
 
 Ira attended the district school of the neighborhood, until 
 the year 1815, when he entered the academy in the village 
 of Homer — five miles distant from his home — where he 
 pursued his preparatory collegiate studies. In September, 
 1822, he joined the junior class in Union college at Sche- 
 nectady, and graduated with the first honors in 1824. 
 
 Having determined to pursue the legal profession, he 
 returned to Homer and became a student in the law office 
 
4 Memorial of Ira Harris, 
 
 of Augustus Donnellj^ continuing there for one year. 
 With a view of obtaining better advantages for the pro- 
 secution of his studies, he then moved to Albany and 
 entered the office of Chief Justice Ambrose Spencer. Here 
 he remained as a student until 1827, when he was admitted 
 to the bar and began his professional career in the capital 
 of the Empire state. He soon after associated himself in 
 the practice of the law with his fellow student in college, 
 Salem Dutcher. This continued until 1842, when, Mr. 
 Dutcher removing to ISTew York, Mr. Harris formed a 
 partnership with Julius Rhoades. 
 
 It was not long after his admission to tlie bar before his 
 sterling traits and ability made themselves felt. His know- 
 ledge of the law and untiring assiduity, brought him con- 
 spicuously before the public and made for him a place of 
 at least equality among the most distinguished of his com- 
 peers. Thoroughly conversant with his case, complete 
 with all the l>earings of tlic law upon it, tlie decisions affect- 
 ing it marshaled in order, these with his deep mellow 
 voice, his calm, measured and persuasive style of speaking, 
 his methodical arrangement of matter, the logic of his 
 argument, his frank, open manner, his noble presence and 
 dignified bearing, all combined to influence courts in his 
 favor and to exhilnt his case in the light of apparent truth. 
 
 He was fond of the law and respected his profession, 
 believing the former to be the bulwark of all civil rights 
 and the shield of society ; and deeming the latter the 
 vehicle of the former, in erecting its safeguards and indicat- 
 ing its justice. Equity jurisprudence was the predomi- 
 nant favorite in his studies, and its practice more consonant 
 with his nature, abhorring as it did trickery and chicanery 
 in all the legal pathways. 
 
 The great public recognized these (|ualities, and in 
 1844 Mr. Hai-ris was elected to represent Albany county 
 in the assembly of his native state, and in the following 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 5 
 
 year was reelected. He at once became a leading member 
 of tbe bouse and took an active part in its debates. In tbe 
 spring of 1846 be was cbosen to tbe distinguisbed bonor 
 of a seat in tbe convention of tbat year appointed to re- 
 vise tbe constitution of tbe state. 
 
 In tbis eminent and dignified body, Mr. Harris took a 
 bigb and bonorable stand. His imposing appearance and 
 bland address, no less tban bis profound learning, made 
 bim conspicuous. His comprebensive mind embraced 
 fully tbe subject for wbicb tbe convention bad been called 
 and every braucb appertaining received bis careful atten- 
 tion. Especiall}^ did tbe cbanges made in tbe organic law 
 by abolisbing all traces of feudalism from land tenures, 
 hy securing to married women tbeir rigbts in property, 
 inberited and acquired, by establisbing an elective judi- 
 ciary, by uniting law and equity jurisdiction, and by pro- 
 viding for tbe simplification of pleadings and practice in 
 tbe courts, receive powerful aid from bis eloquent advo- 
 cacy. Altbougb in tbe minority bis influence was felt and 
 acknowledged, and bis views were treated witb marked 
 respect. 
 
 In tbe autumn of tbe same year be was elected to tbe 
 state senate and after serving tbere witb distinction tbrougb 
 one session be resigned bis seat, upon being elected in the 
 si)ring of 1847 a justice of tbe supreme court of tbe state, 
 drawing tbe four years' term. 
 
 Sucb rapid and even dazzling advancement bas occurred 
 to but few, and proves bow bigb Mr. Harris stood in the 
 estimation of bis fellow-men. 
 
 At the expiration of bis term of four years, and in the 
 3^ear 1851, be was reelected judge for tbe entire term of 
 eight years. 
 
 The reputation of Judge Harris at the bar bad been 
 long established, but it was not till bis elevation to tbe 
 bench tliat his al)ilities were fully displayed. It then ap- 
 
6 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 peared that he was peculiarly possessed of qualities which 
 rendered him a consummate judge. He exhibited pro- 
 found and accurate knowledge of the law, great judicial 
 capacity, strict integrity and severe impartiality. His de- 
 meanor was dignified and courteous. His understanding, 
 sagacity and industry won praise from all parties. The 
 lofty purity and rigid morality which pervaded his whole 
 life and formed its chief characteristics shone conspicu- 
 ously in the discharge of his judicial duties. He was quick 
 to grasp the general rights and equities of a case and 
 tenacious in holding to them against the sophistry and 
 technicalities of professional learning. While possessing 
 great power in despatching business, he still gave patient 
 attention to all suits and arguments, and by unusual 
 suavity of manner, without lessening the dignity of the 
 judge, he gained great popularity with all who came within 
 the purview of the court. His charges to juries were 
 models of excellence in the clea-niess and iinjiartiality witli 
 which the facts proven and the law l)eai-ing upon them 
 were presented. 
 
 The published opinions of Judge Harris during the 
 twelve years he sat upon the bench are continually re- 
 ferred to for lucid exhibition of tlie principles of the law. 
 They evince extensive learning and keen discernment — 
 power of analysis and strength of reasoning — subtlety in 
 weighing doubtful decisions and perspicuity in style. They 
 will ever prove the true monument to his memory — more 
 enduring than bronze or granite. 
 
 Upon leaving tlie bench Judge Harris jtassed a year in 
 foreign travel. Returning home he was in 18(51, after an 
 exciting contest, elected by the legislature to the senate 
 of the ITnited States. To apytreciate this distinguished 
 honor it needs but to be stated, that Wniliam AT. Evarts 
 and Horace (Jreeley were liis conq)etitors and that he was 
 tVie successor of William H. Seward. He had [)assed 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 7 
 
 triumpliantl}^ tlirough the varions grades of advocate, state 
 legislator, member of tlie state convention, and justice 
 of the supreme court of the state, and had now reached 
 an eminence next to the loftiest summit in the republic. 
 
 In the broad and distinguished arena of the senate, the 
 corresponding qualities of Senator Harris were eminently 
 manifested. His tall and majestic form was seen in that 
 famed chamber, moving in the consciousness of strength 
 yet in the humility of a retiring nature. His merits were 
 immediately recognized. Placed upon the committee on 
 foreign relations, the judiciary and the select joint com- 
 mittee on the southern states, his services upon these ex- 
 ceedingly important committees were most prominent and 
 valuable. His industry was as persistent as his more 
 shining qualities were great. He exerted vast influence 
 in shaping the course of government during the most try- 
 ing period of our national history. 
 
 He was the intimate and trusted friend of President 
 Lincoln, and perhaps no fact could be adduced more plainly 
 showing the solid and excellent qualities of the senator 
 than that he held such relationship to that eminently pure, 
 wise and shrewd statesman, as learned in human nature, 
 as noble in all his other attributes. In his darkest hours 
 of administration Abraham Lincoln always found light in 
 the cooperation of Senator Harris, and in his saddest 
 moments of despondency, sympathy and support. 
 
 The senator's loyalty to the union was intense, and from 
 the side of the north he never for an instant swerved. Dur- 
 ing the civil war he was most eflicient in raising a regiment 
 of cavalry for the union, which was called after his name, as 
 was also another body of troops. In private and public 
 his patriotic voice was ever heard in defense of tlie union, 
 stimulating still farther the ardent, and transfusing his 
 own glowing energy into the lukewarm. Many an officer 
 and private soldier has reason to remember the acts of 
 
8 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 kindness received at his hands, and no one can now realize 
 the arduous hibor and fatigue he endured in behalf of our 
 armies. 
 
 Although Senator Harris was warmly attached, upon 
 principle, to the Whig and Republican parties, and, as we 
 have seen, was chosen by his party to fill many prominent 
 offices, yet strictly, he was not a politician, and had little 
 taste or tact for political management. His action was 
 guided by his judgment of the right regardless of popular 
 eifect. This was evinced in the case of the expulsion of 
 Senator Bright of Indiana. Before hostilities had com- 
 menced between the North and the South Mr. Bright 
 wrote a letter introducing to Jefierson Davis a friend who 
 wished " to dispose of what he regards a great improve- 
 ment in fire-arms." The Republicans in the Senate and 
 the party generally deemed this letter evidence of treason 
 and demanded the expulsion of the Senator. Mr. Harris 
 yielded to none of his associates in the intensity of his 
 loyalty to the Union or in the l)itterness of his hatred of 
 treason, but his Judicial mind failed to discover in the 
 letter conclusive proof that it was written with a treason- 
 able design, and following this conviction he stepped up 
 on a plane higher than that of party and defended the 
 Indiana Senator. 
 
 In 1867 the term of Senator Harris expired, but his con- 
 stituency, unwilling that his abilities should be hidden in 
 retirement, elected him delegate to the state constitutional 
 convention of that year. This was the second time he was 
 deemed worthy of that honor — an honor that rarely falls 
 to the lot of any one. 
 
 His speech in that convention on " Government of Cities " 
 was rich in knowledge and wisdom, and was conceded to 
 be one of the most powerful and eloquent that was de- 
 livered upon any subject in that body, comprising some 
 of the ablest and most distinguished citizens of the state. 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 9 
 
 Upon the adjournment of the convention Mr. Harris, 
 who had been in public office for twenty-three years con- 
 tinuously, became released from official cares and anxieties. 
 His, had been a busy and laborious life. He had achieved 
 greatness. I^Tow, as the shadows were deepening on the 
 downward path, it might naturally be supposed that he 
 would, during the remainder of the journey, enjoy that 
 rest and repose which lie liad so richly earned. He was 
 passionately fond of the country, and had a farm at Lou- 
 donville near the city, to which, when relieved from duty, 
 he repaired with delight, and from which he never departed 
 without regret. But to him ease was inglorious, while 
 vigor remained. Hence he at once addressed himself to 
 the great work of imparting to otliers his own professional 
 knowledge. He had been connected with the Albany Law 
 school from its organization in 1850, and lectured to the stu- 
 dents whenever his official duties permitted. He now ac- 
 cepted the appointment of professor of equity juris[)rudcnce 
 and practice and devoted himself wholly to the school up 
 to the time of his decease. The themes he had chosen were 
 kindred to his tastes and he never failed to impart to his 
 3^oung pupils something of his own enthusiasm in the 
 pursuit of knowledge and his (nvn high purposes in its 
 use after being acquired. His lectures proved eminently 
 successful and popular and worthy of his reputation. 
 
 Mr. Harris was likewise distinguished as a friend to 
 liberal education. He was for many years president of 
 the board of trustees of Union college, where his ripe cul- 
 ture and broad educational views were exliibited and 
 esteemed. He was president of the Albany Medical college 
 and of the board of trustees of Vassar college ; was one 
 of the founders of the Rochester university and its first 
 and only chancellor. 
 
 He rarely turned aside from professional and official 
 paths for enjoyment in the fields of literature. He Avas, 
 2 
 
10 Memorial or Ira Harris. 
 
 however, twice lured to the platform, from liis usual pur- 
 suits, by subjects very inviting to him. In 1846, lie en- 
 joyed an opportunity of revisiting the scenes of his early 
 student-life and pronouncing the oration on the occasion 
 of a jubilee anniversary of the old academy at Homer. 
 Again, a few years later, he was equally pleased by de- 
 livering, at the invitation of friends in Alliany, a lecture 
 upon the life and character of Roger Williams. 
 
 To com])lete his successful career Mr. Harris added the 
 graces of the Christian gentleman. He held for a long- 
 term of years the otSce of deacon in tiie Emmanuel church 
 in Albany and was also president of the American Baptist 
 Missionary Union. 
 
 Mr. Harris leaves a widow, four daughters and two sous. 
 
 In 1869 he suffered a slight attack of paralysis, which 
 his rolnist constitution so (pdckly repelled that on the 
 following day he conferred the degrees upon the stu- 
 dents at the commencement exercises of Union college. 
 As the years came on, however, the attack was occasion all}' 
 repeated, each time with increased force. Although none 
 of these attacks impaired his splendid physical shape, yet 
 they took from his step its elasticity and threw over his 
 handsome and benevolent features a look of weariness. 
 
 At last on Sunday, the 28th day of November, 1875, he 
 received a shock which prostrated him and rendered him 
 unconscious. He remained in that state until the follow- 
 ing Thursday — the 2d day of December — when at the 
 hour of nine and a half in the morning, life departed, and 
 that grand and manly form, never again to know fatigue, 
 is now at rest in the Rural Cemetery of Albany. 
 
 To Ira Harris was granted distinguished abilities and 
 shining virtues. He was crowned with success in life. 
 The grave has closed over his remains, but his memory 
 will be revered so long as talent is honored and worth 
 venerated. 
 
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS. 
 
 [Fi-din I 111' Aibaiiij Evening Jouriml^ Dect'iiibur 2, 1S75.] 
 
 Death of Judge Harkis. 
 
 X FIK illness of Ju(lij;'o Harris teniiinated tliis iiiorning- 
 ill liis death. The announcement will be received with 
 sincere sorrow not only by this entire comnmnity but 
 throughout the state and far beyond its borders. For half 
 a century the lamented dead had stood among our most 
 illustrious citizens — foremost, indeed, in pul)lic distinc- 
 tion. But he was more than the honored representative 
 of a locality — he was one of the first men of the state. 
 Still more, he had held and dignified a high national posi- 
 tion. In every sphere he won respect and esteem. A 
 worthy citizen, an able lawyer, a fiiithful legislator, an up- 
 riglit judge, a learned instructor, an eminent senator and an 
 earnest Christian, he lived a long and useful career, and in 
 the fullness of his years sinks to rest wdth a wreath of honor. 
 
 Ira Harris was l)orn in Charleston, Montgomery county, 
 on the 81st of May, 1802. Both of bis parents were natives 
 of this state ; but back of them he traced his lineage to 
 the little earnest and intrepid colony founded by Eoger 
 Williams on the shore of the N"arragansett, from which 
 he fairly inlierited his religious associations and convic- 
 tions. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Homer aca- 
 demy in Cortland county, and went thence to Union 
 college, where he graduated in 1824. Among his promi- 
 nent classmates were Bradford R. Wood of this city. 
 Judge Sutherland and William Tracy of New York — the 
 latter long associated with him as trustees of their Alma 
 
12 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 Mater. Judge Piirker was a junior in ITnioii at the same 
 time. Leaving college young Harris came to this city and 
 studied law in the office of Ambrose Spencer — then one 
 of our briglitest legal lights. In 1827 he was admitted to 
 practice, and formed a })artnership with Salem Dutcher, 
 who had been a fellow student at college. The firm 
 speedily acquired great prominence and for many years 
 prosecuted a very large and successful business. In 1842 
 it was dissolved by the retirement of ]SIr. Dutcher, who 
 removed to New York, a .id Mr. Harris then associated 
 himself in the practice of law Avitli Julius Rhoades. 
 
 His entrance upon public life was made in 1844 when 
 he was elected to the assembly. The following year he 
 was reelected, and in 1846 he was chosen to the senate 
 where he served one session. The same year he ^^•as elected 
 a delegate to the constitational convention that gave us the 
 organic law under which, with some amendments, the state 
 is living to-day. Michael HofFnum was the political leader 
 and master mind of that body, and among other members 
 were Samuel J. Tilden, Charles O'Conor, ArphaxadLoomis, 
 Ambrose L. Jordan and Lemuel Stetson. Though Mr. Har- 
 ris belonged to the minority, he nevertheless bore a prond- 
 nentpart in the work of the convention, and held honorable 
 rank among these distinguished and experienced men. 
 Continuing his public career without interruption, he was 
 in 1847 elected judge of the supreme court under the new 
 constitution and drew the four years' term. Upon its ex- 
 piration, he was again elected for the full term of eight 
 years. He thus served u})on the bench for twe'lve years, 
 and gained great distinction as an acute and upright jurist. 
 Indeed, he was peculiarly and conspicuously fitted lor judi- 
 cial service. His whole port and mien, his stately figure 
 and his dignified bearing gave all the outward adornments 
 and seemed singularly suited to the position of j udge. But 
 with these external attributes he united in an eiiuaily 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris, 13 
 
 marked degree the more vital and essential qualities. He 
 was a master of tlie principles and precedents of law. He 
 understood the whole body of our jurisprudence and was 
 guided by its best spirit. He grasped the beauty of equity 
 as well as the rigorous interpretation of law. And with 
 all this he possessed a happy gift for the lucid and succinct 
 exposition of legal principles and their application, so that 
 his decisions reported in the books have always held high 
 rank as his action on tlie bench always commanded respect. 
 In 1861, Judge Harris was elected to the Uintcd States 
 senate, his competitors in the republican caucus being 
 Horace Greeley and William M. Evarts. Entering the 
 senate just at the outbreak of the rebellion, he served 
 throughout that momentous period of our history, and 
 contril)uted l)y his counsels, his voice and his vote to the 
 triumph of the Union cause. He was the warm personal 
 friend of Abraham Lincoln, and after the dread Good 
 Friday was among those chosen from the senate to ac- 
 company the remains of the beloved president to their 
 final resting place. As a senator he held honoral)le rank 
 upon the important committees on foreign relations and 
 judiciary, and in the former was closely associated with 
 Senator Sumner, to whom he became greatly attached. 
 Indeed, the last time we ever saw Charles Sumner — some 
 months l)efore his death — was in tlie house of Judge 
 Harris where these two friends discussed till late at night 
 the situation of the country. Judge Harris was also a 
 member of the select joint committee on the southern 
 states, and, while he seldom spoke at length, he had an 
 influential share in the vital legislation and action which 
 that critical period required. His term as senator expired 
 in 1867 and he was then chosen a delegate at large to the 
 constitutional convention of this state which assembled 
 that year. In the deliberations of that body his experience, 
 ability and standing gave him prominence and weight. 
 
14 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 Since that time he has devoted himself almost exclu- 
 sively to his duties as professor of the Albany Law school, 
 with which he has been identified from its establishment 
 tAA'enty 3'ears ago. His special department was equity 
 jurisprudence and practice. He was an admirable lecturer, 
 and won the regard of the students in an eminent degree 
 both l)y his simple and luminous development of tlie law 
 and by the encouragement and inspiration he imparted to 
 the yt)uug men he was training for an arduous and res[»()n- 
 sil)lc profession. At the same time he cherished a warm 
 interest in other fields of educational work. For many 
 years, and down to his death, he was president of the board 
 of trustees of Union college. He was also one of the 
 active foundei'S of Rochester university and its first and 
 only chancellor, remaining a meml)er of the l)oard of 
 trustees from its establishment to the present time. A 
 deacon of the Emmanuel Baptist church in this city, he 
 has long been one of the most prominent lay representa- 
 tives of his denomination in the country, and has been 
 equally zealous and infiuential in its various organiza- 
 tions — having held among otlier places that of president 
 of the Baptist Foreign ISIission Society. He was a sincere 
 Christian and lived a life without reproach. 
 
 The eminent citizen whom we mourn thus goes to his 
 final rest full of years and honors. Not snapped away in 
 the midst of his greatest usefuhiess, he was permitted to 
 round out liis career and substantially to finish his valua- 
 ble work. He leaves the legacy of a good name and an 
 influence whicli has made its impress upon his special 
 spheres of activit}' and will be felt long after he has gone. 
 In private life, in [lublic station, in Christian labor he ful- 
 filled every duty, and adorned a worthy life with a blameless 
 character. Our citizens will extend their sympathy to the 
 bereaved family, and will themselves unite as mourners in 
 the obse({uies which are announced in our local columns. 
 
Memorial op Ira Harris. 15 
 
 (Pi'din the local column.) 
 
 Death of Judge Harris. 
 
 Hon. Ira Harris, one of Albany's most clistinguislied 
 sons, died tliis morning at a quarter past nine o'clock, of 
 paralysis. A review of his life and services will be found 
 on our second page. 
 
 The disease wliicli terminated his life, first attacked him 
 some six years ago in Schenectady, while in attendance 
 upon the commencement exercises of Union college. 
 
 He soon rallied from the stroke, so as to be about as 
 usual, but never after was in full health and strength. At 
 intervals during the following years he had similar attacks 
 of more or less severity, each of which sensibly subtracted 
 from his vital forces. 
 
 Two Sundays ago, as he was about proceeding to church, 
 he was struck with paralysis and was confined to liis house 
 for several days. He then l)egan to mend and had so far 
 recovered that on Saturday last he took the air in his 
 carriage. On Sunday he had another attack and relapsed 
 into unconsciousness, and remained in that state to the end. 
 
 The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon from 
 Dr. Bridgman's clnirch. We are unable at this wi'iting to 
 give the hour. 
 
 Judge Harris leaves four (laughers and two sons. The 
 daughters are Mrs. Henry R. Eathbone, of Washington ; 
 Mrs. Ewing Miller, of Columbus, Ohio, and the two Misses 
 Harris, of this city. Both the sons, William H. Harris and 
 Ira Harris, reside in Kansas cit}^ 
 
16 Memorial of Iea Hapris. 
 
 [From the Albany Argvs, December 3, 1875.] 
 
 A GREAT Man has Fallen. 
 
 Ira Harris: Born in Charleston, Montgomery county, May 81, 1803; 
 died in Albany, December 2, lS7o, 9:20 a.m. 
 
 J_RA Harris was a great man in all tlie essentials and 
 qualities of greatness. He was great in native endowment. 
 A paternal ancestry traceaLle to the colonists led l)y Roger 
 Williams to the shores of Karragansett, and an ancestry 
 on his mother's side nurtured among the rugged, pure 
 hills of Scotland, bequeathed to him talents and impulses 
 rarely found Idended in sucli due proportions. 
 
 Mr. Harris was great in power of application. He was 
 a diligent and industrious student; and he maintained 
 himself at the head of the jurists of the state by the same 
 unremitting and indefatigable toil, to the very day of liis 
 death. 
 
 Mr. Harris was great in intellect. He bore upon his 
 massive shoulders a head richly grand in its powers. His 
 frame seemed modestly conscious of the superior texture 
 of the l)riiin it was constructed to support and feed. 
 Courtly in bearing and manner, yet dignified and deferen- 
 tial to all ; the might and majesty and humility of his 
 mind and heart were revealed transfigured with singular 
 clearness in his bodily structure. 
 
 Mr. Plarris was great in his aspirations. lie had no 
 and>ition for ejihemeral distinction and renown. His de- 
 sire was simply to know and to do right, as an enlightened 
 and quickened conscience determined the right to be. He 
 was great in nobility of character. He was a stalwart re- 
 presentative of all that is purest and brightest in mankind. 
 He was great in his attainments. The splendors of his 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 17 
 
 genius were toned by a severely chaste and classical style ; 
 the wealth of treasure he brought up from the storehouses 
 of judicial learning was illumined by lucid exposition of 
 surpassing force, in simple beauty and compactness of ex- 
 pression. 
 
 Mr. Harris was great in his intuitions and sympathies. 
 He was singularly endowed as an instructor in equity juris- 
 prudence and practice. He loved the spirit of the law, 
 more than its form ; he believed it to be its highest mis- 
 sion to deal justly and ecpiitably between men, rather than 
 to give the weight of authority to tricksters who use its 
 forms most dexterously. He was thus preeminently fitted 
 for the judicial ofiice, which he held so long and honorably. 
 
 Mr. Harris was likewise great in the calm equipoise of 
 his nature. His defense of the senator from Indiana, Jesse 
 D. Bright, will ever stand in conspicuous illustration of his 
 self-control. He had no sympathy with treason ; indeed, 
 he loathed it with liorr(U-, and the warm impulses of his 
 patriotic devotion to his country left no room for faltering 
 in loyal service. At the same time he was impartial with 
 no room for personal hatred, passionate revenge or partisan 
 bitterness. Hence he took the part of Bright, an act which 
 then brought denunciation, but which is to-day one of the 
 brightest jewels in his crown. 
 
 Mr. Harris was great, also, in all the elements of Christ- 
 ian manhood. He held firmly to his own convictions. He 
 held with equal firmness to the conviction that soul-liberty 
 is the birthright of every Christian, and brotherly love, 
 charity and liberality the highest expressions of Christian 
 service. 
 
 Ira Harris could not have lived otherwise tlian a great 
 career. His parents removed from Montgomery county 
 to Cortland county in 1808. Until fifteen years of age, he 
 devoted himself to his studies in a district school with 
 industry ; during his spare hours devouring with avidity 
 8 
 
18 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 every valuable work he could procure. In 1815, he en- 
 tered the Homer academy. In September, 1822, he en- 
 tered the junior class in Union college, and gi-aduated with 
 the highest honors in 1824. He then returned to Cortland 
 village, where he studied law with Augustus Donnelly for 
 a year. Desiring better advantages for the prosecution of 
 his studies, he came to Albany, bearing a letter of intro- 
 duction from Donnelly to Ambrose Spencer, afterwards 
 chief justice, and then one of tlie leading members of the 
 Albany bar. During the two succeeding years, he re- 
 mained in the office of Mr. Spencer ; and, three years after 
 graduating from college, he was admitted to the bar, and 
 commenced the practice of his profession in this city. In 
 1827, he formed a partnership with Salem Dutcher, who 
 had been a student with him at college. This partnership 
 continued until 1842, when Mr. Dutcher removed to New 
 York; and Mr. Harris associated himself with Julius 
 Rhoades. Those who have only known Ira Harris, the 
 judge, cannot form an ade(piate conception of Ira Harris, 
 the elo(|uent pleader at the l»ar of court. He laid the 
 foundations of his case in the most careful trenching among 
 authorities, and upon the broadest principles of law ; he en- 
 forced his case with a rhetorical and oratorical power which 
 prepared the way for convictions that were strengthened 
 by consideration of his closely logical and sinewy argu- 
 ment. Graceful in manner, commanding in appearance, 
 impressive in diction, compact in logic, it is no wonder that 
 Ira Harris, the lawyer, speedily rose to the first rank in 
 his profession. 
 
 Mr. Harris was elected to the assembly in 1844, and re- 
 elected in 1845, where he necessarily took an active and 
 influential position. In 1846, he was chosen to the sen- 
 ate, where he served with distinction during one session. 
 The same year he was elected delegate to the constitutional 
 convention, and was one of the prominent members of the 
 minority in that distinguished body. 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 19 
 
 Ira Harris was elected justice of the supreme court in 
 1847, drawing the four years' term, at the expiration of 
 wliieh he was reelected for the full term of eight years. 
 Here he distinguished himself for his marked leaning 
 toward the equities of a case; and his puhlished opinions 
 are models of compactness, simplicity, perspicuity and co- 
 gency of style, thought and reasoning. In 1861, Judge 
 Harris was elected a senator of the United States. Such 
 men as he were needed during his stormy term. His 
 moderation, his patriotism, his conservatism, his loyalty, his 
 sturdy devotion to the right, fitted him to guide. He was 
 one of the class of men upon whom the martyr-president 
 could lean, in the hour of his greatest trials. There was 
 no day so dark, that Ira Harris could not see light ahead ; 
 for his faith in God was to him as the gift of prophetic 
 vision. There was no storm so tumultuous, whether of 
 treason or of faction, that Ira Harris could not hear the 
 words, " Peace, he still ! " and he never doubted that the 
 surging tempest would obey the command. There was 
 never victory so great, opportunity for revenge and retalia- 
 tion so tempting, that its fierce allurements were not 
 abashed in the presence of his Christian magnanimity. 
 He could not falter ; neither could he indulge in vindic- 
 tive ferocity. He was always there, steady, true, firm. 
 His position as a member of the committee on foreign rela- 
 tions and judiciary, and the select joint committee on the 
 southern states, utilized his wise moderation, marked 
 prescience and inflexible purpose, in every critical relation 
 of the republic. Senator Harris's term expired in 1867, 
 when he was elected a delegate at large to the constitu- 
 tional convention of 1867. 
 
 Since the adjournment of that body, Mr. Harris has de- 
 voted himself unremittingly to his duties as professor of 
 equity jurisprudence and practice in the Albany Law 
 school, for which he was admirably qualified. He could 
 
20 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 condense in a brief lecture, and render clear to the minds 
 of the students, the fundamental principles of equity ; and 
 hy his quiet hut firm enforcement of tlieir beauty and 
 mission in society, could fire their youthful l:)lood with his 
 warm regard for universal, even-handed and equitable 
 justice. 
 
 Mr. Harris was an earnest friend of liljeral education. 
 He has been for many years president of tlie board of 
 trustees of Union college, and in that relation has exliibited 
 the ripe culture and rare abilities which have rendered 
 him so distinguished. He was also one of the founders of 
 the Rochester university, an institution of learning which 
 is among the first in the country. He was its first and 
 only chancellor, and has l;)een a member of its board of 
 trustees from its foundation. 
 
 Ira Harris was a deacon in Emmanuel Baptist church, 
 and was warmly beloved for his philanthropy and Christian 
 worth. He was held in high esteem by that denomination 
 of Christians, of which he was an honorable and conspicu- 
 ous representative. His counsels w^ere sought in all its 
 organizations, and he was zealous in his devotion to all its 
 interests. Among other positions which he has held was 
 that of president of the American Baptist Missionary 
 Union. 
 
 Judge Harris leaves four daughters and two sons. The 
 daughters are Mrs. Henry R. Rathbone, of Washington ; 
 Mrs. T. Ewing Miller, of Colundnis, Ohio, and the tw^o 
 Misses Harris of tliis city. Both the sons, William H. 
 Harris and Ira Harris, reside in Kansas city. He also 
 leaves a brother, the Hon. Hamilton Harris, to mourn his 
 loss. His first wife died several years since. His second 
 wife survives him. 
 
 Mr. 1 larris has been afiiicted with paralysis several times. 
 His first attack was six years ago. Two Sundays ago, as 
 he was about [iroceeding to church, lie was struck with 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 21 
 
 paralysis. He tlien began to mend, and had so far reco- 
 vered that on Saturday hist he took the air in his carriage, 
 and wanted Ids physician (Dr. Cox) to promise that he 
 might go to church Sunday. The day came, and with it 
 another attack of paralysis. He soon became unconscious, 
 and remained so until the hour of his death, when he 
 passed away quietly and peacefully. 
 
 Ira Harris has long borne the appearance, in our streets, 
 of a shock of wheat, bowed with rich treasure, waiting to 
 be garnered. He iinished his career, leaving nothing to 
 be desired. A pride and a blessing to his family, which 
 he loved dearly ; an ornament to society, which he ap- 
 preciated and embellished ; a pillar in the state and in the 
 church, each of which was borne up by his strong nature — 
 the legacy of his -rich life is the common property of the 
 community whicli now bends as mourners over his open 
 sepulchre. 
 
22 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 [From tin- New York Examiner and Chronicle, Decenil)er 9. 1875] 
 
 Death of Hon. Ira Harris. 
 
 xloN. Ira Harris died at his liomo in Alhanv on Tliurs- 
 day, Dee. 2. Judge Harris was born in Charleston, Mont- 
 gomery county, May 31, 1802. He fitted for college in 
 Cortland academy, and graduated at Union college in 1824. 
 He pursued the study of law with the Hon. Ambrose 
 Spencer, gaining admission to the bar in 1827, and enter- 
 ing on what proved to l)e a pros[)erous and distinguished 
 professional career. His public life began with an elec- 
 tion to the assembly in 1844. He was chosen senator in 
 1846, and in the same year was elected to the constitutional 
 convention which framed the constitution now, with some 
 modification, in force. In 1847 he was elected a judge of 
 the supreme court, and held the position for twelve years. 
 In 1861 he was elected to the United States senate, serving 
 through the war and the first two years of peace. He was 
 a meml)er of the constitutional convention of 1867. On 
 the organization of tlie Albany Law school, twenty years 
 ago, he was elected a professor, an ofiice whicli he held till 
 his death. His public reputation was highest in his strictly 
 professional life, as an advocate, a judge, and a professor 
 of law. His knowledge was extensive and exact, his treat- 
 ment of a subject lucid, his manner singularly grave and 
 impressive, yet always pleasant. 
 
 But to us and to our readers Judge Harris comes most 
 vividly into memory in his relations to higher objects. 
 He was a meml)er and deacon of the old I'earl street, now 
 the Emmanuel Baptist church of Albany. From 1850 to 
 1859 he was chairman of the board of managers of the 
 American Baptist Missionary Union. During that period, 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 23 
 
 and for some years after, tlie greater part of tlae real busi- 
 ness of the missionary union was transacted by tlie board, 
 the union electing the board, and occasionally instructing 
 it, leaving in its hands for the most part the origination 
 and disposal of particular measures. The board meetings 
 under his presidency were admirably conducted. His 
 imposing presence commanded respect, which his gentle 
 considerateness of manner and speech made it very easy 
 to render. The friction between board and union that led 
 to a change of the constitution and the relegation of the 
 board to a secondary position, had no existence while he 
 was chairman. In 1862 he was elected president of the 
 missionary union, and held the office for four years. We 
 have had exceedingly impressive meetings of the missionary 
 union in years since. That society has usually been fortu- 
 nate in its presiding officers. But it was a golden era in 
 that respect, when we had a Briggs in the chair of the 
 union, and a Harris in that of the board. 
 
 Judge Harris was a trustee of Union college, and also of 
 the University of Rochester. Of the latter he was chan- 
 cellor from its foundation to his death. He was a trustee 
 of Yassar college, and on the death of William Kelly was 
 elected president of the board, continuing in the office 
 during his remaining years. With Friend Humphrey and 
 others, he was a strong supporter of the church in the 
 pastorate of Dr. Welch, and since ; and he always bore 
 himself as an earnest and conscientious Christian. 
 
 He had an attack of paralysis six years ago, and the 
 stroke had been three times repeated, yet he rallied so 
 promptly from each attack that until the last and fatal one 
 reached him he scarcely suffered noticeable loss of vigor, 
 beyond the inevitable decline of age. 
 
24 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 [From tlie Watchman and Reflector, Boston, Dec 9th, 1875.] 
 
 Death of Hon. Ira Harris. 
 
 IT is with a sad heart we announce the death, at Alhany, 
 N. Y., on the 2d inst., of Hon. Ira Harris, so well known 
 in onr land and espeeially in connection with our denomi- 
 national benevolent work, during the last thirty years. 
 He had occupied eminent positions in civil and political 
 life, as judge of supreme court of the state of New York, 
 United States senator from the Empire state, lecturer on 
 law in Union university, etc., but was never more truly 
 honored than when he presided over the interests of the 
 Baptist Missionary Union. He was a noble man and lived 
 to a good old age. In person he was regal and imposing, 
 his face was exceedingly agreeable and genial, and his 
 heart was as warm and tender as a child's. God gives to 
 the world but few men so grand in physique, in mind and 
 in heart, and at the same time with so beautiful a simplicity 
 of character and freedom from all assumption and arro- 
 gance. 
 
FUNEBAL PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 JL HE last sad rites were solemnized over the remains of 
 the late Ira Harris, on Satnrday, Decemher 4, 1875, in the 
 Emmanuel Baptist ehureli. The spacious edifice was none 
 too large to accommodate the mourners that assembled to 
 do honor to the memory of the late jurist and statesman. 
 The array of distinguished personages that attended the 
 funeral w^as a fitting recognition of the high esteem in 
 which the deceased was held. The executive was repre- 
 sented by William T. Pelton ; the state ofificers by 
 Lieut. Gov. Dorsheimer and Attorney-General Fair- 
 child ; the court of appeals by Chief Judge Church and 
 associate Judges Folger and Rapallo ; the city government 
 by Mayor Judson, Recorder Greene, Alderman Bailey and 
 other members of the common council ; the faculty of 
 Union college by President Potter. The law and medical 
 schools were also present in a body, as well as tlie trustees 
 of the Mechanics and Farmers' bank, Albany Cemetery 
 association, and deacons and trustees of the Emmanuel 
 Baptist church, and a large delegation of the Albany 
 county bar. Among the prominent personages present, in 
 addition to those already mentioned, were the following 
 clergymen : Blayney, Upson, Reese, Smart, Magee, Loomis, 
 Morse and Doane. 
 
 The central seats of the church, except seats reserved for 
 the family of the deceased, were entirely occupied by 
 representatives of the Albany county bar, and the law 
 and medical students. The rosewood casket, massively 
 mounted with silver, containing the remains, was deposited 
 4 
 
26 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 immediately in front of the pulpit, and the divsplay of floral 
 offerings placed upon and ahout it was of the most profuse 
 and elaborate character. They were gifts of friends of the 
 deceased. 
 
 Among the immediate family present were Mr. William 
 H. Harris, son of the deceased, and wife, Mr, Henry R. 
 Rathbone and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ewing Miller, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hamilton Harris and family, Mr. and Mrs. S. 0. 
 Shepard, and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. J). Warner, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Cyrus Garnsey, Mr. and Mrs. 8amuel Ransom, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Albion Ransom, Gen. and Mrs. Townsend, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Clarence Rathbone, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Reed, 
 Mr. and Mrs. John F. Rathbone, Mrs. Joel Reed, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Bowditch. 
 
 The pulpit was occupied by Rev. Dr. C. DeW. Bridg- 
 man, pastor. Rev. Dr. E. Halley, of the Third Presbj^terian 
 church, and President J. H. Raymond, of Vassar college. 
 The funeral services were opened shortly after two o'clock 
 with an organ voluntary by Prof. S. B. Belding, suited to 
 the occasion, after which Rev. Dr. Bridgman ottered the 
 followinjj: 
 
 Invocation. 
 
 O GOD, who art tlie God of the spirits of all flesh, in 
 whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways, 
 we revere and acknowledge Thee as the High and Lofty 
 One who inhabitest eternity, whose name is Holy. We 
 look up to Thee as a Father of inflnite tenderness, recon- 
 ciling us to Thyself in Thy dear Son ; and, as a Father 
 pitieth his own children, so having compassion on all them 
 tliat fear Thee. We Avould bow with deep humility be- 
 fore the righteousness of Thy will. In Thy sanctuary we 
 wait with our dead that we may hearken to Thy words of 
 consolation. Help us in our sorrow, God; uphold us 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 27 
 
 and comfort us for the sake of Thy dear Son, our Saviour. 
 Amen, 
 
 After a selection by the quartette, Dr. Bridgman deli- 
 vered the following feeling and appropriate discourse, com- 
 manding the closest attention throughout, and moving 
 many of his auditors to tears : 
 
 Dr. Bridgman's Address. 
 
 It is told by a traveler that once when walking through 
 one of the squares of Vienna, the soldiers whom he was 
 following came suddenly to a halt, and whilst the standards 
 were waved and the drums rolled, went through the exer- 
 cise of a salute. Asking the reason of so abrupt a man- 
 ffiuvre, he was told that such was the greeting which was 
 given the meridian hour — the honor they were accus- 
 tomed to pay to the Sun, when he had reached the supreme 
 point of his splendor and power. 
 
 A vast procession is halting to-day, and in the sad rites 
 which are compelled by the hour, those who are enlisted 
 in this service, masters of colleges and masters of industry, 
 possessors of intellectual culture and professional skill, and 
 those who have won honor in the arenas of prosperous 
 toil ; ruler and leader, teacher and student and workman, 
 all equally the soldiers of duty, are moved by the one im- 
 pulse not to do honor to that which shines in their eyes in 
 its fulness of splendor, but to utter their sorrow because a 
 glorjMS gone, because the most honored and illustrious of 
 our citizens is withdrawn from us unto the presence of 
 God. All mourn together for the void that is made — the 
 lowly for the loss of a friend; the student for one who 
 had sympathy for his struggles and encouragement for his 
 work ; the teacher that he is bereaved of a prudent, wise 
 counselor ; the citizen for a man who was never unfaith- 
 ful to the trust reposed in him by the state ; the Christian 
 
28 Memorial of Ira ?1arris. 
 
 for one who evinced in his life tlie liumanity and goodness 
 which revealed the strength and beauty of faith ; this 
 church for an officer who gave her his strength in the 
 time of her weakness, and whom she delighted to honor 
 for his loyalty to her faith and her interest through all the 
 years of her history. 
 
 The death of Ira Harris is the bereavement of us all. 
 All " they that know his name " join in the one exclama- 
 tion of sorrow, " How is the strong staff" broken and the 
 beautiful rod. " But lamentation has no place in the 
 sanctuary to-day. The sun is not robbed of his splendor 
 when he passes beyond the horizons of earth ; that marks 
 the dawn of his glory on superior worlds ; and what we 
 signalize in our mourning as the ending of a noble career is 
 only the transit of life with all its real riches to a larger 
 and more glorious world. Let our l)elief, tlierefore, be the 
 inspiration of joy ; and as love has transfigured her tears 
 into flowers for the casket, so let our faith change the 
 lament into a hymn of thanksgiving that the departed has 
 come to Ids grave in a full age ; like as a shock of corn 
 Cometh in his season, and has entered upon his inheritance 
 in the presence of God. 
 
 In the vast range of the universe there is no being, not 
 even the chiefs of the angels, so rich as the man who bears 
 up the treasures of a good life through death into the man- 
 sions of eternity. Once the most feeble, dependent of 
 creatures — sustained by the care and ministrations of 
 others ; and then the richest, the strongest, the most im- 
 perial of them all. The link between them is a godly lite. 
 Such a life is like God's thought, a progress and gathering 
 riches and lustre as it travels, whilst ungodliness makes 
 life a circuit; it emerges from the darkness, seems but to 
 grow rich and strong for the moment, but sinks down 
 again into beggary and misery, and the blackness of dark- 
 ness overwhelms it forever. A good life is continually 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 29 
 
 increasing in riclies. The child is rich in the love and 
 ministry which he has a right to demand ; but he is poor 
 in independent power, independent possessions, independ- 
 ent companions and friends. The work of life is to win 
 them, to lay hand on the things that are requisite for the 
 nurture and culture of the being, and to lay the touch of 
 the heart on the persons whose love and communion it 
 needs. Compare the man and the woman in the maturity 
 of their powers with what they were in their childliood. 
 They have made for themselves a name and a position in 
 life ; they are centres of attraction to an army of friends ; 
 little ones are growing up in their home who yield them 
 that reverent obedience which they pay to tlieir Father in 
 Heaven. 
 
 Knowledge has been acquired, the universe has unveiled 
 to them some of its secrets, the past is peopled with heroic 
 shapes, the future with visions which the eye of faith alone 
 is strong enough to steadfastly beliold. How rich has 
 life become to them ; how full are its treasure-houses of 
 power, knowledge and love. Trace the life onwards. At 
 seventy, the helpless, possessionless infant has grown into 
 a patriarch whose white hairs are a glory and before whom 
 men joyfully bow. His wisdom has grown ripe with ex- 
 perience, his atfections and sympathies rich with multiplied 
 ministries, he fills the place of a prince in his circle, and 
 when he falls it is the bereavement of a multitude, as the 
 quenching of a great light. A wide company feel them- 
 selves beggared awhile by his loss. And the link between 
 the two ends is uprightness — the uprightness of the man 
 who has an eye heavenward, who looks whither he was 
 intended to look — toward eternity and to God. 
 
 Of the treasures, however, which a man gathers, there 
 are two which are transcendent — knowledge and love ; 
 and of these the supremely excellent is love. That which 
 is stored in the mind, that which is garnered up in the 
 
80 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 heart, is the real treasure ; the rest is a mere surplus, 
 which, having, the man is no richer ; while he who loses it 
 is no poorer in the estimation of the heavenly world. There 
 are men upon whom fortune has lavished her treasures of 
 gold ; the world stands, cap in hand, at their feet. 
 
 But they would give at this moment half of their fortune 
 and count it no sacrifice, to have the disciplined brain of 
 the poor student whose jerkin is threadbare and whose 
 table offers only coarse fare ; yea more than that would 
 they give for the throngs of true friends whose voices 
 make music for others, and whose benedictions follow the 
 steps of the genial and loving. 
 
 To know and to love ! These are the directions in which 
 to seek the true riches. They bring with them no sorrow ; 
 the moth does not waste them; rust does not corrupt 
 them ; death, even, does not despoil them ; they are only 
 transfigured and inscril)ed in the Ijook of the treasures of 
 eternity. And how are we to win them ? " My son, forget 
 not my law, l)ut let thine heart keep my commandments, 
 for length of days and long life and peace shall they add 
 to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee ; bind them 
 about thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart ; 
 so shalt tliou find favor and good understanding in the 
 sight of God and man. Happy is the man that findeth 
 wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. She is 
 more precious than rubies ; and all the things thou canst 
 desire are not to l)e compared unto her. Length of days is 
 in her right hand ; and in her left hand riches and honor." 
 This is the secret of life. Thus is the sphynx riddle read. 
 There is no other way to make life a progress but to root it 
 in God. This is the condition of growth, of expansion and 
 riches that will be always increasing as the ages roll on. 
 
 But there is a higher development of this law of increase 
 through death, for God through our Lord Jesus Christ 
 has made death the minister of the highest development. 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 31 
 
 of the intensest and most permanent joys. As a physi- 
 cal experience, death remains with us ; blessed be God ! 
 " for we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being bur- 
 dened." There is nothing in this aspect to make Him 
 seem terrible to the godly. All that we know of the death 
 which is around us in nature speaks to us of courage and 
 hope. There is no destruction of anything in the physical 
 world ; forms perish, but it is only that their substance 
 may be fasl>ioned to a different shape. Everything dies ; 
 " Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," is the legend which is 
 written on the brow of each creature ; but that dust re- 
 mains precious and sacred. God fails not to rebuild it in 
 more beautiful forms and to much nobler use. The dead 
 leaves of the autumn are the nourishment of the germs of 
 the on-coming spring. 'No material is dissolved but that it 
 may reappear in more glorious aspect; no type ever is 
 broken but that God may recast it in more heavenly 
 moulds. Through death there has been a continual pro- 
 gress in the aspects and tlie forms of creation. The huge, 
 unwieldy types which of old ruled in the animal and vege- 
 table world have been removed, and out of tlieir ashes has 
 sprung the young phoenix of creation which is the meet 
 satellite of man. And why should we tremble at the pre- 
 sence of death ? Wliy should we dread that the law which 
 rules through the whole sphere of creation should stop 
 here with man, and that death, which is only the trans- 
 figuration of nature, will wreck and destroy the whole 
 human world ? Why, but because man is a spirit and his 
 spiritual relations are supreme, and they, if out of har- 
 mony with God, will make discord and dread within all 
 the boundaries of his sphere. 
 
 But the Christian is delivered from this ; he need as 
 little fear death as the creature ; nay, as he sees the glory 
 to which it can lead him, he can exult in the prospect and 
 strain to meet it as a child toward the arms of its mother, 
 or as the exile, returning, presses forward toward home. 
 
32 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 And this is the counsel of God, to take away from us 
 all fear in the prospect of death ; to show us that the pro- 
 gress is not rounded but prolonged and completed, and 
 that the increase of the years is not gathered but conse- 
 crated by death as the possession of the soul in eternity. 
 And the grand witness of this is our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 the elder brother of the family in heaven. " In my father's 
 house are many mansions ; I go to prepare a place for you, 
 and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will 'come again 
 and receive you unto myself, that where I am ye may be 
 also." " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, who, according to His al)undant mercy, hath be- 
 gotten us again unto a lively liope by the resurrection of 
 Jesus Christ from the dead." 
 
 " Oh, death, where is thy sting ? O, grave, where is thy 
 victory ? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of 
 sin is the law, ]:)ut thanks be to God, wliich giveth us the 
 victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. " 
 
 The true riches of life gathered by godliness — the true 
 riches of life consecrated by death to be a possession for- 
 ever — these are the thoughts which have been suggested 
 by the life and the death of the man whom we mourn for 
 to-day. The springs of his life were in God ; lie walked 
 humbly before Him as His servant, and, I call you to wit- 
 ness, he realized the grand promise which abides for the 
 ages. " Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore 
 will I deliver him ; I will set liim on high, because he hath 
 known my name. He sliall call upon me and I will an- 
 swer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver 
 him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and 
 show him my salvation. " 
 
 God has remembered His promise, it has been fulfilled 
 in your sight — "Because he hath set his love upon me, 
 therefore will I deliver him ; I will set him on high, 
 because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 33 
 
 and I will answer him ; I will be with him in trouble ; I 
 will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will 
 satisfy him and show him my salvation. " 
 
 For almost fifty years Ira Harris honored the profession 
 he made in baptism by a life of truth, purity and integrity ; 
 for more than forty years he has served as an officer in the 
 fellowship of this church, and more glorious than an}^ 
 record of political honors is the testimony that has been 
 uttered again and again by his pastors and brethren to the 
 faithfulness of his service ; and that much of the earlier 
 success of the church was due, under God, to his wisdom 
 in guiding its action, and to the whole-hearted response 
 that he gave to whatever appealed to his devotion. 
 
 With the daily incidents of that life you are already 
 familiar. The man in the beauty and dignity of his phy- 
 sical form has been no stranger to you on the street. That 
 men respected his character and gave him their trust is 
 evinced by the positions of honor they gave him, each in 
 advance of that which preceded, until at the last he was 
 honored with a place in the senate in testimony of the 
 faith of the state in his truth, his integrity, his wisdom, 
 his loyalty. 
 
 He took the side of the faith he professed when there 
 were but few in this city who held it, but it commended 
 itself to his conscience and mind as being in harmony 
 with the teaching of scripture, and in the long history 
 since he proved his allegiance by a fiiithful and zealous 
 adherence. But it is more to live the life of a Cliristian, 
 good friends, than to be zealous for a creed or a sect; and 
 his glory it ever will be that the truth was maintained in 
 the spirit of love, and that he walked humbly with God ; 
 that he strove to be the helper of others ; and that, filling 
 out the full measure of his years, he is borne down to his 
 grave with no stain on liis character ; and that his children 
 have, as a heritage, that good name which is better than 
 5 
 
34 Memorial of Ika Harris. 
 
 riches, for that is a symbol of a character which is itself 
 the true riches — which increases in giorj for ever and 
 ever. 
 
 There will be many who will utter their gratitude for 
 the man who, when they were making the tirst struggle 
 in professional life, were helped by his counsel and cheered 
 by his sympathy ; generous testimony will be given to liis 
 integrity as a judge and the wisdom and permanence of 
 his decisions ; to his industry in the conventions of which 
 once and again he was a member; to the service he ren- 
 dered the nation when the agony of our civil war was 
 upon us. 
 
 But that which was underneatli all the acts they ap- 
 plaud, all the attributes they commend, was a heart that 
 was surrounded by the love and the guidance of God. 
 This is the foundation of the strength that endures, this 
 is the secret of real power in the world, this alone the 
 condition of honor and power in the world everlasting. 
 
 "Oh, who would live if only just to breathe 
 This idle air, and indolently run, 
 Day after day, the still returning round 
 Of life's mean offices and sickly joj^s ; 
 But in the service of mankind to be 
 A guardian good below, still to employ 
 The mind's brave ardor in heroic aims. 
 Such as may raise us o'er the groveling herd 
 And make us shine forever : — this is life." 
 
 The tabernacle is empty ; what gave it its dignity and 
 its beauty has passed to its home in the paradise of our 
 God. Let us carry it tenderly, reverently, to its home in 
 the grave. But we look upward and faith sees the great 
 company of the triumphant and crowned, unto whom, 
 through the grace of our Lord, Ira Harris is joined. 
 
 And when for us, too, the storms shall be over and the 
 struggles of this life be ended, the farewell we have so 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 35 
 
 sadly spoken shall become a glad greeting, and reunited 
 in fellowship our joy shall be unclouded for ever. " For 
 if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them 
 also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." 
 
 " Ashes to ashes, dust to dust ; 
 He is gone who seem'd so great — 
 Gone ; but nothing can bereave him 
 Of the force he made his own 
 Being here, and we believe him 
 Sometliing far advanced in state ; 
 And that he wears a truer crown 
 Than any wreath that man can weave him." 
 
 Prayer was then oilered by Rev. Dr. E. Halley. 
 
 The solemn services were brought to an end by the pro- 
 nunciation of the benediction by President J. H. Raymond, 
 after Avhich the funeral procession was formed in the fol- 
 lowing order: 
 
 Casket, containing the following inscription : 
 
 Ira Harris, 
 Born May 31, 1802; Died Dec. 2, 1875. 
 
 Pall bearers, as follows : 
 
 William F. Allen, John T. Hoffman, 
 
 Bradford R. Wood, Thomas Fearey, 
 
 Thomas W. Olcott, George Dexter, 
 
 Harmon Pumpelly, Henry H. Martin. 
 
 Deacons and Trustees of the Emmanuel Baptist Church. 
 
 Judges of the Court of Appeals. 
 
 Trustees of the Cemetery Association. 
 
 Trustees of the Mechanics and Farmers' bank. 
 
 President and Members of the Faculty of Union College. 
 
 Members of the Bar. 
 
 Faculty and Students of the Law and Medical Schools. 
 
36 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 The funeral cortege was tlien formed, and wended its 
 way to the Rural Cemetery. The procession was a very 
 largo one, upwards of twenty-five carriages being in line. 
 
 At the Grave. 
 
 The relatives and friends gathered about the open grave, 
 when Dr. Bridgman spoke the last mournful yet hopeful 
 words, as follows : 
 
 " The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away. 
 Blessed be the name of the Lord." "I know that my 
 Redeemer liveth, and at the latter day will stand upon the 
 earth. ■■ " Jesus said unto her, I am the Resurrection and 
 the Life : he that believeth in me, though he were dead 
 yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believetli in 
 me shall never die." May the grace of Him who is the 
 Resurrection and the Life, the love of God the Father, 
 and the communion of Him who is the Comforter, abide 
 with us in our sorrow, and forevermore. Amen. 
 
 Memorial Service. 
 
 At the Emmanuel Baptist church Sunday morning, 
 after a sermon of remarkable power and pathos, on the 
 heavenly citizenship, the ordinance of the Lord's supper 
 was administered. The vacant chair at the right of the 
 pastor was draped in mourning, and covered with the 
 floral offerings which had testified to the affection of friends 
 in the service of Saturday. The floral cross was placed 
 on the pulpit at the head of the chair ; and the well-filled 
 golden sheaf of wheat was at the foot of the cross. The 
 mementos were deeply suggestive. Sadly and almost 
 silentl}^ tlie simple service proceeded ; gathering solem- 
 nity as the moments passed away. The sorrow of that 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 37 
 
 hour so filled the church that it seemed that an outstretched 
 hand might even/ge? it, and test its loneliness by the sense 
 of touch. The impressive service was thus a memorial 
 one in a double sense ; and touching and tender to a de- 
 gree rarely witnessed. At the close of the service, the 
 pastor remarked, with an emotion which excited intense 
 pity for his great grief : 
 
 " This chair, in the mourning it wears and by these 
 flowers, must utter the lesson to you, beloved, which my 
 lips cannot speak. He who gave me the welcome when I 
 came as your pastor ; the only one who was left to me of 
 the deacons who first served with me at this table, is gone 
 to the presence of God. A strong staft' has l)een broken. 
 A revered friend is now with the dead. I cannot speak 
 more. Let these silent symbols express the grief of my 
 heart." 
 
 Then the meml)ers of Emmanuel church left the holy 
 place, realizing the great void which had l)een made by 
 death. 
 
PBOCEEDINGS OF THE ALB AN Y BAR. 
 
 J_IIE members of the l)ar of Albany met in tlie connty 
 court room at one o'clock Saturday, December 4, 1875, 
 with Henry Smith in the chair, and William H. Greene 
 and D. Cady Herrick acting as secretaries. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Edwards moved a committee of seven to re- 
 port resolutions relative to the death of Judge Harris at an 
 adjourned meeting. Carried. 
 
 The chair named Messrs. Isaac Edwards, Amasa J. Par- 
 ker, William L. Learned, Charles M. Jenkins, Matthew 
 Hale, Rufus W. Peckliam, George L, Stedman. 
 
 The meeting then adjourned till Thursday next at one 
 P.M., and the meml^ers proceeded in a body to Judge 
 Harris's funeral. 
 
 An adjourned meeting of the l)ar of Albany county 
 w^as held in the court room, City Hall, at one o'clock 
 Thursday afternoon. Hon. Henry Smith presided and 
 called the meeting to order, when 
 
 Mr. Isaac Edwards, chairman of the committee on re- 
 solutions, presented the following preamble and resolu- 
 tions, which were adopted : 
 
 Death removes all titles of courtesy, and brings us to 
 the naked words of truth. Ira Harris was fortunate in 
 his birth, in a country district, in circumstances that did 
 not raise him in his l)oyhood above actual toil, and yet 
 gave him the means of education ; in his lineage, derived 
 from two distinct and strongly marked races, and in 
 that splendid physical constitution which carried him 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 39 
 
 through so many years in perfect health. He was fortu- 
 nate, also, in his temperament, in that fine combination of 
 qualities which enabled him to work with vigor under all 
 circumstances, without too much excitement. 
 
 He was fortunate, too, in his mental endowments, in 
 that rare gift of language, which enabled him to present 
 a subject or unfold principles of law with luminous clear- 
 ness and precision ; and in that grasp and vigor of intel- 
 lect which enabled him to unravel and disentangle with 
 ease the most complicated transactions ; in that clear dis- 
 cernment which seized the principle ruling a subject, like 
 a line of light, and brought it at once into the simplest 
 forms of common sense. 
 
 Rising into a still higher realm, his religious sentiments 
 were quick and vivid, and his moral sense ruled through 
 his life like a higher law of humanity and beneficence. 
 He was at home in all places, and entirely free with all 
 classes of society. 
 
 He loved men, and it was a secret of great power ; he 
 loved the city, and strove manfully to do it service and 
 honor ; he was proud of his state, and nobly did he serve 
 her through many faithful and laborious years ; like the 
 rest of us, he rejoiced in the rising grandeur of the repub- 
 lic, and as a senator in congress gave himself to her service 
 with all his experience and faculties and energies, through 
 the long years of agony and civil war ; those years that 
 seemed like ages, marching slowly with iron feet. 
 
 Educated in Union college, Mr. Harris was twenty-five 
 years of age when he commenced his professional life in 
 Albany. For the ensuing twenty years he kept his place at 
 the bar with all that fidelity, patient endurance and unflag- 
 ging industry which were so conspicuous elements in his 
 character. At the end of that period he took his place upon 
 the bench of the supreme court, forty-five years of age. 
 
 Here he began a new career, with the masculine virtues 
 
40 Memorial of Ira Harris, 
 
 appropriate to the judicial office, love of justice, absolutely 
 temperate habits of life and thought, an intellect enriched 
 by much study and disciplined by the usual trials of life. 
 As we all know, he was equal to the demands of that high 
 office ; for twelve years he discharged its duties under the 
 new code, with such wide intelligence, good sense and 
 deep discernment that he came easily to the front rank of 
 the able bench of that court, from time to time taking his 
 place among the judges of tlie highest court with equal 
 success and distinction. 
 
 He possessed a iinely-balanced judicial mind, with a per- 
 ceptible bias in favor of the principles of equity, where 
 they could be applied, in preference to the sterner and 
 more rigid rules of the common law. He studied law in 
 the office of Ambrose Spencer, and lie was the apt scholar 
 of the great equity judge. Chancellor Kent. 
 
 He loved open and round dealing, and he detested de- 
 ceit and fraud in all its forms ; he showed this decidedly 
 in one marked instance when, with one of his associates 
 in the court of appeals, he dissented from the o])inion of 
 the majority, insisting that a merchant deals fraudulently 
 who, though unquestioned, purchasesgoods without having 
 the means to pay for them, in contemplation of his fiiilure. 
 
 His courtesy in the hearing and trial of causes, his un- 
 tiring diligence and facility in the dispatch of business, 
 and his very great ability, learning and skill in the admin- 
 istration of law, are well remembered ; they gave him the 
 just ascendancy which accrues from great and valuable 
 public services. 
 
 Soon after lea\ing the bench, Judge Harris became a 
 a candidate for the much prized seat of senator in congress. 
 At the beginning of the canvass both of his distinguished 
 competitors could count upon the most votes, and the 
 judge upon the greatest number of steadfast and unllinch- 
 ing friends. 
 
Memorial of Ika IIarkis. 41 
 
 The result was, therefore, certain from the beginning; 
 he was chosen by the legislature to represent the state of 
 l^ew York, in the United States senate, early in '61, in 
 the opening scene of that great drama, the civil war ; his 
 age was fifty-eight ; he was in the prime of his powers, a 
 cool, disciplined, sagacious senator. 
 
 He came to his seat in that high council with the ad- 
 vantage of four years' experience in the legislature of his 
 own state ; equipped with a complete knowledge of the 
 organic law, he was the peer of the ablest senator on the 
 floor. The manner in wdiich he served his state and the 
 republic through the six years that followed, is known of 
 all men ; how he forgot all minor questions of party feel- 
 ing and local strife in the deep love and service of our 
 common country. How he labored incessantly in com- 
 mittee and in council to strengthen the civil arm of the 
 government, and with what constancy and courage he sup- 
 ported every branch of the public service, tills a bright page 
 in the history of those memorable days — a proud record, 
 quite sufficient to satisfy the hunger of an ambitious spirit. 
 
 The spirit of the man appears with equal lustre in the 
 less public walks of life ; in those relations he held to the 
 Rochester university and to Union college ; in his connec- 
 tion with the Albany Law school, and that long succession 
 of chisses that have studied law here under his instruction 
 from the time the school was organized until the day of 
 his death — young men that under his tuition came to 
 revere and love liim and carry away his words of wisdom 
 and courage as among the precious things of life. 
 
 As an educator in this department, Judge Hai-ris de- 
 serves well of the country ; his qualifications for the work 
 were most abundant; rich in the resources of experience 
 and learning, and in the affluence of his great heart, he 
 could instruct and interest and inspire his students, and 
 lead them into a true knowledo;e of both the art and science 
 
42 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 of the law ; a work of love with him, which filled up all 
 his spare time, even in the busiest years of his public life. 
 He came into the world one of nature's favorites, gifted 
 with manifold powers that fitted him for every duty and 
 every science ; and he was so felicitous in the successive 
 stages and events of his life that all men have come at 
 length to see in his career something more than rare good 
 fortune, and have come to feel wliat his friends felt all the 
 while, that here was a personality of original greatness. 
 Great in natural gifts, and great in the multiplied labors 
 of many years, he comes to the close of life with 
 
 " That which should accompany age, 
 As love, honor, and ti'oops of friends." 
 
 Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Ira Harris, Albany loses 
 a citizen illustrious by life-long and public services ; our 
 profession one who has conferred dignity and honor ui)on 
 the administration of justice ; and the state and nation a 
 statesman who proved himself able and faitliful in times 
 of trial and danger. 
 
 liesolred, That we tender to the family and kindred of 
 the deceased our sympathy with them in their affliction, 
 and in the consolations of tliat Christian faith in which 
 our brother lived a life so filled with works of charity and 
 good will to men. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 Isaac Edwards, 
 Amasa J. Parker, 
 William L. Learned, 
 Matthew Hale, 
 K. W. Peckham, 
 Charles M. Jenkins, 
 G. L. (Stedman. 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 43 
 
 Remarks of Hon. Lyman Tremain. 
 
 3Ir. Chairman — To these toucliing and eloquent eulo- 
 gies, expressed in language better than I can employ, I 
 will venture to add only a few observations. 
 
 How rich and valuable a harvest has the sickle of death 
 gatliered, during the last three months, among the eminent 
 and honored jurists of our noble commonwealth ! On the 
 roll of these distinguished dead, the name of Judge Ira 
 Harris must now be added to the names of Judges Wood- 
 rutf, Grrover, Reynolds and Wright. This mournful event 
 which, though for some time feared, it was hoped might be 
 averted, has produced a universal sense of sorrow and be- 
 reavement, and led to this assemblage of that profession 
 to which the deceased belonged, and of which he was a 
 prominent and conspicuous member. 
 
 By this dispensation of Providence, our city has lost an 
 illustrious citizen, the state one of its best known and most 
 honored ornaments, and the church of which he was an 
 officer one of its strongest earthly pillars. 
 
 For more than a quarter of a century, Judge Harris has 
 occupied so commanding a place in the consideration of 
 his fellow men, and we were so accustomed to see his tall 
 and impressive form moving among us, in the vigor of 
 that superior strength of constitution with which nature 
 had endowed him, that, notwithstanding his advanced 
 years, his death produced a shock which was felt through- 
 out the entire community. That death will create a va- 
 cancy in the faculty of our flourishing Law school ; in the 
 institutions of learning, whereof he was the trustee, patron 
 and friend; in the legal profession, of which he was a 
 venerable and honored leader, and in the many religious, 
 charitable and l)enevolent societies with which he was 
 associated. 
 
44 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 Judge Harris discharged Avitli fidelity, credit and honor 
 the responsible duties of the various exalted positions to 
 which he was called h}^ the partiality of his countrymen. 
 
 As counselor at law, as an active member of his church, 
 as a representative in the asseml)ly of E'ew York, as state 
 senator, as a delegate to the constitutional convention, 
 which framed the constitution of 1846, as justice of the 
 supreme court, and ex-otiicio Judge of the court of last 
 resort, as a senator of the United States from the state of 
 N^ew York', as a delegate from the state at large to the 
 constitutional commission of 1867, and as a law lecturer 
 in the University of Albany, Ira Harris proved equal to 
 the demands made upon him, and l)y his learning, ability, 
 good judgment, sound sense, and faithful and conscientious 
 devotion to his public duties, lie acquired and retained the 
 confidence and regard of the public. 
 
 To a life so fruitful and a career so exalted as that of 
 Judge Harris, the present is not an opportune occasion to 
 render full justice. That olfice belongs more appro[)riately 
 to the historian or the biograplier. The press and the pul- 
 pit of the city have already made graceful and fitting con- 
 tril)utions in honor of his memory. To-day the l)ar, in 
 accordance with a beautiful and honored custom, Avhen 
 one who has achieved merited distinction in the ranks of 
 the profession dies, have assembled to express their sense 
 of the loss which they have sustained ; their appreciation 
 of his nu'rits; their sympathy with the atfiicted mourners, 
 and to weave a wreath of cypress to lay upon his tond). 
 
 Judge Harris has fallen like a shock of corn fully ri})e. 
 He has entered the portals of the grave full of years and 
 full of honors. He had passed the limits of the three- 
 score and ten years allotted to mortals. Others are more 
 familiar than myself with his early history. Others have 
 witnessed those struggles through which every lawyer 
 must pass l>efore he can reach the height in the temple of 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris, 45 
 
 our professional fame which had heen attained hy Judge 
 Harris. 
 
 When my first acquaintance with him commenced, his 
 sun had ah-eady reached the meridian. He was in the 
 full vigor of maturity. 
 
 The first election for judges of the su})reme court in 
 this state was held in 1847, under the provisions of the 
 constitution which Judge Harris had aided in preparing. 
 The people in this judicial district, with discriminating 
 impartiality, elected two of the candidates from each ticket 
 nominated hy the opposing political parties of that day, 
 and among these was Ira Harris. '\\''e are forcibly re- 
 minded of the havoc wliich deatli is continually making 
 among the most eminent members of our profession, when 
 we recall the fact that of the eight candidates presented 
 at that election for supreme court justice, four at least 
 have been gathered to their fathers — Wright, Hogeboom, 
 Watson and Harris. 
 
 ])uring the twelve years that Judge Harris held the 
 office of supreme court justice, he acquired the reputa- 
 tion of being one of the ablest judges of the state. In the 
 volumes of our Law Reports, which are probably destined 
 to endure for centuries to come, his name and fame have 
 become permanently identified with the jurisprudence of 
 the state. He possessed very great influence with the 
 juries he was accustomed to charge while holding the cir- 
 cuits. He presented the facts of the most complicated 
 case, with the rules of law bearing upon them, with singu- 
 lar clearness and force. He always souglit to ascertain 
 the real equity of the causes that were brought before him 
 for adjudication, and this he never lost sight of by at- 
 tempting to follow the line of precedents. He declined 
 to yield to the force of previous adjudications, when the 
 necessary efiect would be to produce a judgment at war 
 with the intrinsic merits and justice of the case. 
 
46 Memorial of Ira Harris, 
 
 He abhorred corruption, fraud, oppression, injustice 
 and wrong, and whenever these were revealed upon a 
 trial before him, they were laid bare and denounced with 
 startling emphasis and power. It was the good fortune 
 of Ira Harris to represent the state of J^ow York in the 
 senate of the United States during the entire period of the 
 late war — by far the most exciting and interesting era in 
 our national history. He enjoyed the entire confidence of 
 the lamented Lincoln, and was one of the firmest support- 
 ers of the war measures a(l()[)tcd l)y the government. He 
 held important positions u[»()n the committees of the 
 senate, and his vote, his speeches and his influence were 
 always in favor of the most efficient and vigorous means 
 to overthrow the rebellion, and to maintain the unity and 
 integrity of the nation. 
 
 During the latter years of his life he was engaged in 
 delivering law lectures in the Albany Law school, and 
 thousands of young lawyers throughout the Union, who 
 have been instructed l)y his wisdom and learning, will 
 experience sentiments of profound sorrow as they learn of 
 the decease of their respected teacher. Possessing a 
 powerful and commanding frame, with a broad and be- 
 nevolent fixce, nature seemed to have stamped upon him the 
 impress of superiority al)ove liis fcHows. His tastes were 
 scholarly and ck'vatod, his conversation dignified and 
 chaste, his manners courteous and affable, and he will 
 long be remembered as a cultured Christian gentleman. 
 
 These frequent visitations from the grim messenger 
 serve to remind us, forci1)ly, of our own mortality and of 
 the fleeting duration of the longest human life. No 
 preacher's voice is necessary to give emphasis and point 
 to their solemn lessons. Each thoughtful member of our 
 profession will apply them to liis own heart and conscience. 
 E'ortunate will it l)e for us all, if they teach us to be more 
 kind and charitable; to perform more good works while 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 47 
 
 life lasts ; to live higher, better, nobler lives ; to eschew 
 evil, and to exemplify the familiar advice of the poet : 
 
 "So live that when thy summons comes to join 
 The innumerable caravan which moves 
 To that mysterious realm where each shall take 
 His chamber in tlie silent halls of death. 
 Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night 
 Scourged to liis dungeon ; but sustained and soothed 
 By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave 
 Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
 About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 
 
 Hon. Amasa J. Parker, spoke as follows. 
 
 Mr. Chairman — I cannot let the present occasion pass 
 without saying a few words of tribute to the memory of 
 our deceased friend. 
 
 My acquaintance with Judge Harris began in early life, 
 and it is now about thirty-three years since I first met him 
 in professional encounter. I recollect well the occasion. 
 It was on the trial of a patent case of considerable length 
 and importance, at a term of the United States circuit 
 court, held in this city by Judge Thompson. I found him 
 an able and faithful lawyer and a courteous opponent. 
 Two years later, when I removed to this city and entered 
 upon the duties of circuit judge and vice chancellor, 
 Judge Harris, was one of the able lawyers then in full pro- 
 fessional practice here. Daniel Cady, even then venerable 
 for his years, his learning and his integrity, was at that 
 time residing in Albany, a leader in the courts. There 
 were here several others, justly distinguished in the pro- 
 fession. Marcus T. Reynolds, always sharp, able, witty 
 and concise, Samuel Stevens, a man of indomitable energy 
 and great mental vigor, Mcholas Hill, even then holding 
 a high place before the courts of review, where he after- 
 wards became so distinguished, and Azor Taber, a laithfal 
 
48 Memorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 and accomplished lawj^er, whose briefs showed great re- 
 search and thought, were all in the foremost rank. Most 
 prominent perhaps at the circuit were Henry G. Wheaton 
 and Rufus W. Peckham. In mentioning these, I do not 
 mean to overlook or undervalue others not named, of the 
 strong bar then established here. 
 
 The taste of Judge Harris did not lead him often to the 
 circuit, but he held a high place in the profession, and 
 was frequently before me at the chancery terms, opposed 
 to the ablest men I have named, and engaged in the 
 heaviest litigations. 
 
 Circumstances subsequently brought us more closely 
 together in the discharge of similar duties, and an intimate 
 association with him during eight years' service upon the 
 supreme court bench, and nearly a score of years in the 
 Law school of the Albany university, satisfied me how 
 well he was entitled to my love and respect. I am happy 
 to be able to say that the friendship so long and so 
 pleasantly existing between us did not cease with our terms 
 of oifice, l)ut was uninterrupted to the day of his death. 
 
 Judge Harris was a man of rare gifts and qualities. 
 As a judge, he was upright, patient and untiring in his 
 pursuit of truth and justice. His habits of industry and 
 the facility witli Avhich he studied and wrote, enabled him 
 to dispatch a large amount of Ijusiness. As a lecturer in 
 the Law school, he acquired a just popularity, and he has 
 made an impress for good on the minds of great numbers 
 of young men in our profession, now scattered over all 
 the states. 
 
 But, Mr. Chairman, while I look back with satisfaction 
 upon the past and the good that has been accomplished, I 
 am deeply impressed with the mortality which marks it. 
 Of the; four judges of the su[)reme court elected in this 
 district on the organization of the court in 1847, Judges 
 Watson, Wright and Harris have all left us. I alone re- 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 49 
 
 main. Of tliose who followed us upon the hench, Gould, 
 Hogehoom and Peekhara have died, and none remain but 
 those recently elected. 
 
 Of those who founded the Law school and labored in it 
 till it reached its established reputation, Dean and Harris 
 are both now gone, and I again am the sole survivor. 
 
 Of all those eminent lawyers whom I have named not 
 one remains, and new men have succeeded to their places. 
 
 I have s|)oken of the lawyers here of thirty years ago as 
 learned and aljle men, of high professional distinction ; 
 and so they were. But do not understand me, Mr. Chair- 
 man, as underrating tliose who have followed them. I am 
 not one of those who believe the profession is deteriorating. 
 It may be that the few are now less marked because there 
 is less contrast in comparison with their fellows, the learn- 
 ing and ability being more dilfused and extended to a 
 greater numl)er. But I believe, Mr. Chairman, that the 
 future will do justice to the present as I have done to the 
 })a8t, and that in learning and ability my brethren here 
 around me fall, in no respect, short of those who have 
 preceded them, and will be so estimated by those who 
 shall follow them. 
 
 Mr. Chairman, our friend who has just left us died with 
 his armor on, earnestly laboring till the end to l)enetit his 
 race and to discharge the whole duty of an active life. In 
 this, too, we commend his memory. We all owe a duty 
 to the world which can never be fully discharged by re- 
 linquishing lal)or wliile we are still capable of lieing useful. 
 We should never be content to "lag superliucnis on the 
 stage." 
 
 We are laboring in a profession of which we are justly 
 proud, to do good to our fellow men ; to secure to those 
 we represent their just rights; to resist oppression; to 
 protect the innocent and to punish the guilty ; and happy 
 may he well be who, when he finishes his work here, can 
 7 
 
50 Memorial of Ik a Harris. 
 
 lie down, as did our doeeased friend, with an approving 
 conscience, and the good opinion of tlie workl aronnd him. 
 
 Remarks of AVilliam H. Greene, 
 
 Mr. Choirnian — The venerahle form of Ira Harris, ex- 
 cept in gratefnl memory, is now, to living men, but as its 
 kindred dust. From the void his decease has made, these 
 expressions of our grief return to us like echoes. They 
 seem not to pierce his ears. 
 
 A liuman spiritthat has been for half a century a power in 
 the ongoing of our life, political, professional, social and 
 religious, has ceased its office here, only to enter, as we 
 believe, upon nobler and higher service. 
 
 It was the distinguished merit of our departed friend 
 that his great faculties were subjugated to the uses of cul- 
 ture, benevolence, honor and religion. 
 
 In the uplifting of his fellow men, as public teacher, 
 jurist, statesman and Christian leader, he was eminently 
 useful and his influence steady, commanding and beneti- 
 cent. His was no scorching and inconstant blaze, but a 
 light unwavering, cheering and luminous. 
 
 "With many men the sympathies are deadened at mid- 
 dle life and dead in old age. His to the last seemed to 
 gush forth from a fountain of perennial youth. His heart 
 was in his work, and continuing it far into the decline of 
 life, he fell at last at the post of duty. 
 
 Hundreds in the learned profession all over our land 
 cherish his instruction, his friendly counsels, his generous 
 kindness ; other hundreds his Christian teaching and ex- 
 ample ; and all, his public career as a jurist and a statesman. 
 
 As one who sat under his instruction in the law school 
 and felt the value of his encouragement, I cannot withhold 
 this slight tribute to his distinguished career, his preemi- 
 nent abilities, and his moral worth. 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 51 
 
 J. Albert Wilson said : 
 
 3Ir. Chairman — Scientific men tell us that the emotions 
 of grief and pleasure are so closely allied in tlie human 
 hreast as at times to be almost identical, while frequently 
 their outward signs and expressions are quite so. 
 
 Mourning, as I do to-day, the loss of one whom I, in 
 common with many others, have long regarded with almost 
 filial afie<^tion, I still experience a mournful pleasure in 
 listening to the many acknowledgments paid to his worth 
 and manhood by those who knew him in life. 
 
 I can say but little that has not already been said, and 
 ably said, yet I feel unwilling to let the moment pass with- 
 out adding my mite of tribute to the memory of the 
 honored dead. And yet, what shall I say ? The whole 
 wealth of the English language affords not words to ex- 
 press the unformed utterances of a full heart. I can little 
 more than utter the mournful plaint of Antony — "He was 
 my friend. " 
 
 Some few years ago, while attending that law school with 
 which the name of Judge Harris was long identified, I first 
 formed his acquaintance. From him, and from his able 
 associates, I received my first instruction in the funda- 
 mental principles of that science of which he, for nearly 
 half a century, was a bright and shining light ; and there, 
 listening daily to the words of wisdom which fell from his 
 lips, I learned to honor and revere him as a man and a 
 lawyer : and to love him as a friend. 
 
 But his kindly interest in those he instructed did not 
 stop with imparting to them principles of law ; with fur- 
 nishing to them weapons with which to fight professional 
 battles and gain professional victories. He also invited 
 them to his house, encouraged them to come and converse 
 with him there, and, though his time was much burdened 
 with many demands, he would always cheerfully lay down 
 
52 ]\Iemorial of Ira Harris. 
 
 pen or book to entertain and counsel his young friends — 
 " liis boys" — as he fondly called them. 
 
 AV^ell do I remember, upon such an occasion, closeted 
 with him in his study, conversing with him upon the 
 ethics of law, how, in response to a remark of mine 
 upon the popular law fiillacy, that " No man can engage 
 in the struggles of the legal arena and long retain his 
 purity of character," — his earnest, almost stern, re- 
 joinder — " Sliould you, in the course of your })rofessional 
 life, ever discover tliat its temptations are too strong for 
 you, (piit the law; better to be a poor but honest layman 
 than a dishonest though successful lawyer." At the same 
 time, he earnestly contested the theory I have mentioned, 
 and with liis life spread upon the public records for my 
 inspection, could I fail to appreciate the justice of his 
 criticism ? 
 
 Mr. Chairman, it has been said, and truly said, that " an 
 honest man is the noblest work of God." I challenge the 
 memory of all who hear me, of the whole country, of the 
 whole world; I challenge the pages of history in all times 
 and in all countries, to produce to me one name more 
 worthy to be dignified Avith that appellation than the name 
 of him we mourn, the name of Ira Harris. 
 
 His grave requires no monument of stone, for through- 
 out his whole life he ever recognized the fact that 
 
 " All are arelutects of Fiite ;" 
 
 and by his many virtues during life, he has piled for him- 
 self a monument higher than the highest pyramid; more 
 enduring than granite, and fairer than the whitest marble. 
 From the vast lakes upon the north to the gulf of 
 Mexico ; from the rock-bound coasts of Maine to the sea- 
 line of the Pacific ; in every state, in every community, 
 the death of Ira Harris will create a void in rnanv a heart; 
 
IVIemorial of Ira Harris. 53 
 
 for he was universally known and as universally beloved 
 by all who knew him. Shakespeare has said : 
 
 " The evil that men do lives after them ; 
 The good is oft interred with their bones." 
 
 Doubtless, not without faults, for he was but human ; 
 quiet and unostentatious in doing good ; stich might be 
 the fate of our honored townsman, were it not that his 
 many excellencies throughout life have so overshadowed 
 his failings, as to render the latter nearly if not quite in- 
 distinguishable. 
 
 Alike at the bar and in the political arena, he was ever 
 found a brave and generous foe, striving for the right, 
 according to his convictions, " with a spirit that knew no 
 mastery." Upon the bench he was a truly upright judge ; 
 fearless and conscientious in the discharge of his duty ; 
 kind and lenient to the unfortunates, l)ut a terror to evil- 
 doers. Socially, he was kind and genial, though digni- 
 fied, as becoming in one of his position. 
 
 To the poor he was a kind friend, and the last time I 
 met him, but a few weeks since, he was l)ound upon an 
 errand of mercy. 
 
 While we cannot pierce that mysterious vail which for 
 a little moment hides him from our view, let us not think 
 of him as dead — for, 
 
 " There is no death, what seems so is transition," 
 
 and — 
 
 " It is but into Life we die." 
 
 The meeting then adjourned. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE TRUSTEES AND 
 FACULTY OF THE ALBANY LAW SCHOOL. 
 
 At a meeting of tlie trustees and faculty of the Albany 
 Law scliool, convened on the occasion of the death of 
 Hon. Ira Harris, the followini;- ininnte was ado[)ted and 
 the secretary requested to transmit a copy thereof to the 
 family of the deceased : 
 
 In the death of the Hon. Ira Harris tlie trustees of the 
 Albany Law school have lost a wise and trusted coun- 
 selor, the fficulty a valued and ever faithful friend and 
 associate, and the school an apt, successful and popular 
 teacher. 
 
 Judge Harris, as one of the founders of the institution 
 and instructor of its classes until the close of his life, 
 labored witliout ceasing for its estaldishment and success, 
 and to his efforts very much of its prosperity may l)e at- 
 tributed. 
 
 As a professor and teacher, he brought to the discharge 
 of his duties a rich and xaried experience at the bar and 
 upon the bench of the highest courts of the state and in 
 the legislatures of the state and nation, a cultured intellect, 
 a mind well stored with the history and i)rinciplcs of the 
 law and jurisprudence, as well as the literature and science 
 of law, together with a marked dignity and courtesy of 
 manner. These qualities, witli a genuine kindness of 
 heart prompting him to a sincere interest in the welfare 
 of each individual student, combined with a peculiar apt- 
 ness in imparting instruction, enabling him to simplify 
 and make plain the most abstruse branches of the law, 
 gave liim great success as a teacher, endeared him to the 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 55 
 
 students and render his loss almost irreparable. The 
 exalted civil positions to which Judge Harris was called 
 during his l6ng and honored life and the places filled by 
 him at the time of his death in the governing hoards of very 
 many educational and benevolent institutions, attest the 
 esteem in which he was held by the public as well as by 
 those who knew him most intimately and the confidence 
 reposed in him by all. We mourn him dead, who, while 
 living, we loved and respected as a useful and public- 
 spirited citizen, a Christian gentleman, a faithful friend, 
 in every relation of life manifesting qualities commanding 
 the respect and calling forth tlie afi:ections of all classes. 
 We mourn his loss in common with his many friends 
 throughout the land and tender to his immediate family 
 and kindred our sincere condolences upon the irreparable 
 loss which they have sustained. 
 
 William F. Allen, 
 Isaac Edwards, 
 William L. Learned, 
 
 Faculty. 
 Thomas W. Olcott, 
 President of the Board of Trustees. 
 E. K Potter, 
 President of Union University. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF ALBANY LA W SCHOOL. 
 
 W HEN the All)any Law school convened this morn- 
 ing, December 3d, 1870[j the Hon. Matthew Hak^ addressed 
 the school as follows : 
 
 Geriflcmcii of tlx' Lair Srhool : The painful duty is im- 
 posed on me this morning to formally announce to you 
 the death of Hon. Ira Harris, which occurred yesterday 
 morning. As yon are all aware Judge Harris has been 
 connected with this school from its foundation, a period 
 I believe, of some twenty-five years. Wlien he com- 
 menced his duties here, and for some time afterwards, he 
 adorned the bench of the supreme court in this state. 
 Subsequently he was elected to the senate of the United 
 States and held various positions of public trust. But 
 during all this time, and however exalted were the p)Osi- 
 tions he was holding, he continued his connection with 
 this school, and I think I may truly say that of all his nu- 
 merous duties, those that he loved best, and to which he 
 devoted the most time and care, were the labors performed 
 here in teaching the principles and duties of the legal 
 profession to young men preparing for the bar. How 
 faithfully and successfully he performed these duties, can 
 be testified by hundreds of lawyers, graduates of this 
 school, now practicing their profession in various parts of 
 the country. 
 
 In view of these facts, and of the great loss this school 
 has sustained, it has been thought to be fitting tliat the 
 usual exercises of the school should be suspended for the 
 remainder of this week. The members of the school are 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 57 
 
 requested to meet at this place to-morrow afternoon at 
 1:30 o'clock to proceed in a body to the funeral. 
 Afterwards the following resolutions were passed : 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased the Divine Master to take from 
 us our kind preceptor, the Hon. Ira Harris, w^e, the mem- 
 bers of the law department of Union university, feeling 
 most keenly the loss we sustain, do ^ 
 
 Resolve, I. That in his death we have lost a preceptor 
 whose marked attainments, coupled with his sincere and 
 devoted interest in our advancement, have endeared him 
 lastingly to eacli of us. 
 
 n. That while we deplore our loss we sympathize with 
 his mourning family and friends in their hour of affliction. 
 
 III. That in token of our deep regret we attend his 
 funeral in a body, and wear the customary badge of 
 mourning for thirty days. 
 
 IV. That a copy of this preamble and resolutions be 
 
 tendered to the family of the deceased, published in the 
 
 daily papers, and that the registrar of Union university 
 
 be requested to incorporate this memorial in the records 
 
 of the institution. 
 
 E. D. Miller, 
 
 Charles B. Hubbell, 
 
 Tracy C. Becker, 
 
 Committee. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FACULTY OF UNION 
 COLLEGE. 
 
 JL O the widow and cliildren of the Hon. Ira Harris, hitely 
 deceased. 
 
 According to a resolution of the faculty of Union col- 
 lege, we tender to you their profound sympathy in your 
 late bereavement. In the loss to the institution represented 
 by us, we are the better able to appreciate the grief of 
 those who were near to the deceased by the ties of family 
 and relationship. The well known public estimation of 
 your distinguished head supersedes the necessity of any 
 formal eulogium of his senatorial and judicial life. It is 
 his worth as a member of our own literary hody that de- 
 mands and receives from us the heartiest testimony. As 
 a graduate of one of Union's most distinguished classes, 
 himself distinguished among others noted for scholarship, 
 science, and professional eminence, he fully justified the 
 high esteem ever felt for him as one of the prominent sons 
 of the college. As trustee, as counselor, as ever faithful 
 friend, and, for a season, its acting president, his memory 
 is endeared to all who love the institution and rejoice in 
 its prosperity. 
 
 In this hearty expression we but speak the sentiment of 
 all the alumni of the college to whom Judge Harris was 
 so well known. 
 
 That this tender of sympathy may bring with it some 
 consolation in a bereavement that Divine Grace alone can 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 59 
 
 heal is tlie sincere liope and prayer of each one of us as 
 
 individuals, and as representatives of Union university. 
 
 Signed Dec. 3, 1875. 
 
 Taylbr Lewis, 
 
 I. W. Jackson, 
 
 John Foster, 
 
 Jonathan Pearson, 
 
 In behalf of the President aiid 
 
 Faculty of Union College. 
 
PROCEEDING.^ OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 OF UNION COLLEGE. 
 
 At a meeting of the board of trustees of Union College, 
 held at the Medical College, in the city of All)any, on the 
 26th inst., the Hon. Clarkson IST. Potter oiiered the follow- 
 ing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, Thatthis board desires to express its deep regret 
 at the loss which the college and the public have sustained 
 by the death, since the last meeting of the board, of two 
 of their oldest and most distinguished associates — the 
 Hon. Ira Harris, LL.D., of Albany, and the Hon. Richard 
 Blatchford, LL.D., of New York. 
 
 Judge Harris was the senior member of this body, having 
 entered the board in 1848. He had long taken an active 
 and leading part in the board, had of late years presided 
 as its chairman, and had, after the resignation of Dr. 
 Hickock, acted for a time as the head of the faculty, and 
 president of the college, and had, besides, been long at 
 the head of the department of law instruction in the uni- 
 versity. 
 
 Mr. Blatchford was but little his junior in service, having 
 entered the board in 1850, and having been, during all the 
 subsequent years, an active, wise and useful participant in 
 its councils. 
 
 Both these gentlemen were alumni of more than lifty 
 years' standing, and both had attained a success and dis- 
 tinction in their profession and in public life, which did 
 honor to their Alma Mater. Judge Harris long sat with 
 eminence on the bench of the highest courts of the state, 
 and had represented the state in the national senate. Mr. 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 61 
 
 Blatchford had served usefully in the legislature of this 
 state, and had successfully represented the nation as one 
 of its foreign ministers. 
 
 Both these gentlemen liad been fast friends of their re- 
 vered instructor, President Nott, and liad extended their 
 atfection for him to the college ; both had served it stead- 
 fastly through all trials ; both lived to rejoice in its in- 
 creased prosperity, and l)oth have died full of years and 
 of honors. 
 
 This l)oard, with a profound sense of the loss the country 
 and the college have sustained by their death, desire to 
 now place upon record this declaration of its sense of their 
 services and their worth. 
 
 Resolved, That the clerk of this Ijoard be directed to for- 
 ward a copy of these resolutions to the tamilies of the 
 deceased. 
 
PROCEMDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 OF VASSAR COLLEGE. 
 
 At a regular meeting of the executive committee of 
 Vassar college, held in Poughkeepsie, IST. Y., on Monday, 
 December 6, 1875, the following resolutions were unani- 
 mously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That this committee have received with pro- 
 found regret intelligence of the death of the Honorable 
 Ira Harris, chairman of the board of trustees of this 
 college, and ex officio member of its executive committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the committee would cordially unite with 
 their fellow-citizens of all classes in this state, and through- 
 out the union, to honor the memory of one whose career has 
 so signally illustrated all the virtues of public and private 
 character. Standing in the fi^remost rank of men for 
 dignity of person and mien, native force of intellect, large 
 attainments, and varied culture, nobleness and tenderness 
 of heart, and enlightened strength of Christian principle, 
 and called by Providence and his countrymen to occupy 
 for many years conspicuous positions of honor and power, 
 he consecrated all his gifts, and all his influence to the 
 worthiest ends. He was exemplary alike in public and in 
 private relations ; his mind eminently judicial, his spirit 
 catholic and kind, his views comprehensive and just. An 
 incorruptible patriot and an enlightened statesman, a sound 
 jurist, an able and eloquent teacher of the law, a wise 
 counselor, a faithful friend, a loving husband, son, and 
 father, and a willing burden-bearer in the church of Christ, 
 he served with equal constancy his country, his friends, 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 63 
 
 Ms family, and liis God ; and in his deatli every good 
 cause, whether of education, of phihmthropy, or of reli- 
 gion, mourns the loss of a staunch and strong supporter. 
 
 Resolved, That, in the judgment of the committee, the 
 share sustained by this college in the general bereavement 
 is peculiarly large. Honored in a special manner with the 
 confidence of its founder and trustees, he has not disap- 
 pointed the trust reposed in him. As one of the original 
 members of the board, and ibr the last three years its pre- 
 siding officer, he has given to the enterprise his unwavering 
 sympathy and his active support; and the withdrawal of 
 his counsels will be felt in its future management as a pri- 
 vation to be deeply deplored, 
 
 ResoUed, That the president be requested to transmit a 
 copy of these resolutions to the family of our deceased as- 
 sociate, with an assurance of the sincere sympathy of the 
 committee in a sorrow whose keenest pang must be theirs, 
 a pang only to be assuaged by the consolations of that 
 religion which was his guide through life and his support 
 in death. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER. 
 
 University of Rochester, 
 
 December, 6tli, 1875. 
 Memorandum. 
 
 The death of Hon. Ira Harris, LL.I)., one of the trust- 
 ees of this university from its origin, and its chancellor, 
 calls upon the members of this board for a formal expression 
 of the respect and affection with which they, and the 
 patrons of the university, have ever regarded him. 
 
 We cherish with gratitude and reverence the memory 
 of Judge Harris in his vigorous and decided action in the 
 events which determined the organization of this institu- 
 tion, in his services for three years of special oversight of 
 its interests when without a regular presiding officer, in 
 the wisdom of his counsels and the weight of his influence 
 in times of anxiety and peril, in the personal friendship 
 and kindly sympathy which he has always manifested to 
 the resident trustees and officers of instruction. 
 
 In common with our fellow citizens at large we recog- 
 nize in his more puldic life that combination of sound 
 and disciplined intellect with broad legal learning and 
 unsullied honor which distinguished his career as a judge 
 and a teacher of law. 
 
 In his services of our state and nation as a legislator, 
 we recall the intelligence, steadfastness and patriotism 
 with which he consecrated his entire powers to the pro 
 motion of the public welfare in the conflict with treason 
 and rebellion in our years of sorest national peril. 
 
 In his private relations we recognize those elements of 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 65 
 
 mind and heart whicli made liim an impressive and beau- 
 tiful illustration of those social, domestic and Christian 
 virtues which so dignify and elevate our earthly life. 
 
 And we tender to his afflicted family, in this their day of 
 bereavement, our heartfelt sympathy. 
 
 At an informal meeting of the executive board of the 
 trustees of the university, the above memorandum was 
 presented, and unanimously adopted. 
 Attest. 
 
 William N. Sage, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 OF THE COL UMBIAN UNIVERSITY A T WASH- 
 INGTON D. a 
 
 XT was not fitting tliat a distinguished citizen so well 
 known and highly honored in Washington as the late ex- 
 vSenator Ira Harris, of New York, should be allowed to 
 pass away without receiving an appropriate tribute of 
 respect from such of our citizens as had the good fortune 
 to know him best in the walks of both private and public 
 life. Among those who were favored with such oppor- 
 tunities are the gentlemen composing the board of trustees 
 of the Columbian university, the law school of which had 
 for a time the advantage of receiving an annual course of 
 lectures from this distinguished jurist and faithful states- 
 man. At the meeting of the board of trustees, the fol- 
 lowing resolution was adopted and ordered to be re- 
 corded on the journal of the board, in token of the respect 
 cherished by its members for the manifold virtues and 
 graces which adorned the character of the deceased : 
 
 Resolved, That we hereljy record the profound regret 
 with which we have received the intelligence of the recent 
 death of the Hon. Ira Harris, of New York, Avho, after 
 having filled a conspicuous place at the l)ar of liis native 
 state, and after wearing without spot or blemish the judi- 
 cial ermine with which he adorned her tribunals of justice, 
 became more especially known to us not only as the honest 
 and enlightened statesman, speaking words of truth and 
 soberness in the highest legislative hall of the country, 
 but as the learned and lucid expositor of American law, 
 the principles of which he unfolded to successive classes 
 in our law school with no less of honor to himself than 
 
Memorial of Ira Harris. 67 
 
 of usefulness to this institution, which, since the decline 
 of his health, has been called to mourn the loss of his valued 
 services, and the friends of which, now that he is no more, 
 will not omit to cherish his memory with the respect due 
 to commanding talents graced with the amenities of 
 scholarly culture and sanctified to noblest ends by the in- 
 spirations of an unaffected and simple-hearted piety. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ALBANY MEDICAL 
 COLLEGE. 
 
 L HE board of trustees of. tlie Albany Medical College 
 adopted the following : 
 
 Whereas, the Hon. Ira Harris, one of the members of 
 this institution, and for many years its president, has died 
 full of years and honor, be it 
 
 Besohrd, That in his death the Albany Medical College 
 loses one to whose labors it is greatly indebted, whose 
 counsels have ever been freely and judiciously given to 
 its care and successful management; whose sympathies, 
 always going out to all forms of sufferings, have recognized 
 in this medical college an instrument and agency for 
 sending out, year by year, those who should, more than 
 almost any others, administer to suffering humanity in 
 its various phases. 
 
 Resolved, That his death leaves in this l:)oard a great 
 void, and removes an officer of whom it can be said that 
 neither the pressure of private affairs, of professional 
 duties, nor the cares and responsibilities of elevated public 
 station, have ever caused him to neglect a duty or sacri- 
 fice an interest committed to his charge. 
 
 Resolved, That in his death the state has sustained the 
 loss of an upright, honorable citizen, who, in official posi- 
 tion, as a member of our assembly and state senator, upon 
 the judicial bench, and later in the exalted position of 
 United States senator at Washington, has ever maintained 
 a purity and dignity in puVdic life that entitled him to the 
 highest respect of the community at large. 
 
Memokial of Ira Harris. 69 
 
 Resolved, That while we mourn our loss, we sympathize 
 deeply with the surviving family of our late associate, 
 now so sorely stricken. 
 
 Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the 
 records of this board, a copy be transmitted to the family 
 of the deceased, and that they be printed in the daily 
 papers. 
 
 Resolved, That this board will attend the funeral of the 
 deceased. 
 
 Thomas W. Olcott, 
 
 Vice President. 
 George Dexter, 
 
 ■Secretary. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ALBANY CEMETERY 
 
 ASSOCIATION 
 
 XHE Albany Cemetery Association adopted the fol- 
 lowing preamble and resolutions : 
 
 Whereas, The death has been announced of Hon. Ira 
 Harris, who, since its original organization, has been a 
 trustee of the Albany Cemetery Association ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That in his death this board has been deprived 
 of the services of one wdio has always taken a deep interest 
 in the management of its aifairs, and wdiose counsel and 
 advice has been of great benetit in promoting its success. 
 
 Resolved, That, in common with the mass of our fellow- 
 citizens, we deplore the loss of one who was a credit to 
 every public position which he occupied, and who was 
 ever ready to aid in every good work, and that we condole 
 with his mourning family and friends in their afflictions. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and resolutions 
 be transmitted to the family of the deceased, and published 
 
 in the daily papers. 
 
 Thomas W. Olcott, 
 
 President. 
 Charles Van Benthuysen, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 3IECHANICS AND 
 FAR3IER8' SA VINGS BANK. 
 
 AJT a meeting of tlie board this day convened, it was 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Ira Harris, a valued trustee 
 of this board from its organization, we have lost a true 
 friend and wise counselor, a man considerative, and just in 
 all his relations to his fellow men, who by his great warmth 
 of heart, dignity of manners, and integrity of character, 
 commanded the admiration and love of all who knew him. 
 
 Truly a great man has fallen. But he yet lives in the 
 bright example of an unsullied life, in the numerous insti- 
 tutions which he has served, and in the historic records of 
 our state and nation. He also lives in the dignity which 
 his commanding presence gave to the bench, which his 
 legal mind elevated and adorned : and he will long live in 
 that prominent benignity which in all his judicial acts 
 tempered the austere mandate of law with the quality of 
 mercy. 
 
 Resolved, That our secretary transmit a copy of these 
 proceedings to the family of the deceased, with assurances 
 of our warmest sympathy and regard. 
 
 Dudley Olcott, 
 Secretary. 
 

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