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liO.N. CLAiUv i;. (JOiJllUAiNL 
 
MEMORIAL 
 
 CLARK li. COCIIllANE 
 
 ALBANY: 
 JOEL M U N S E L L 
 
 18G7. 
 
 Ct->i,«.; 
 
£l4/£ 
 
 Gift 
 
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Pcmavial of (Elnvlt §, ®a^bvaut» 
 
 31EM0IR. 
 
 v/LARK Betton Cochrane was of Irish-Scotch descent, 
 and was horn on the Slst of May, 1815, in the picturesque, 
 hilly town of New Boston, state of New Hampshire, his 
 ancestors Being among the earliest settlers of the town, 
 lie was the son of John Cochrane, and was one of a family 
 of three brothers and five sisters. His father resided on 
 the northern slope of Joe English, a hill of considerable 
 elevation in the southern part of the town, deriving its 
 name from an Indian frecjuenting it in early times and 
 noted for his friendship toward the English settlers in the 
 vicinity. The youth of Clark B. was passed in labor upon 
 his father's farm, and in attendance at "the little red 
 school-house in Captain Lamson's district," near the 
 base of Joe English. He also taught school himself in his 
 native town, in his early years, and even at that period, 
 was known and esteemed for his kiiuhu'ss and dovotedness 
 to the welfare of others. It is mentioned by the writer of 
 a letter to a friend, on the subject of his own youth, that 
 prominent among those who inspired him to make the 
 attempt of fitting for college, by his kind words and 
 worthy example, was Clark 1>. Cochrane. 
 
 In 1882, he commenced his preparatory studies for 
 college at Atkinson acadomy, under John ICclly, and 
 completed them at Francestown academy, under I). F. 
 
4 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Wallace, and at ISfasliua under Mr. Crosby, having read 
 Latin, one or two terms, with Edward Buxton. In 1835, 
 he entered Union college and graduated thence in 1839, 
 during which period he taught a winter district school in 
 Gal way, county of Saratoga. In 1841, he was admitted to 
 the bar, and commenced the practice of the law at Amster- 
 dam in this state. There he remained ten years. He 
 then, in 1851, removed to Schenectady where he formed 
 a copartnership with the lion. Piatt Potter. In 1855, he 
 came to Albany, where he entered the law firm of John 
 H. Reynolds and Hamilton Harris. Here he resided until 
 his death. 
 
 In 1841, he represented Montgomery county in the As- 
 sembly of his adopted state, and in 1856, he was elected 
 a member of the House of Representatives in the Con- 
 gress of the United States, representing the counties of 
 Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery and Fulton; and so 
 favorable w^as the impression he created among his consti- 
 tuents of his ability that in 1858, he was reelected from 
 the same Congressional district. 
 
 In 1839, Mr. Cochrane was married to Miss Rebecca 
 Wheeler, of Gralway, Saratoga county, and had one daugh- 
 ter, Mary Frances, now the wife of S. Edward Stimson, 
 of Albany. 
 
 In 1863, Mr. Cochrane received an invitation from his 
 old friends and townsmen of I^ew Boston, to deliver an 
 address befoi'e them on the 4th of July of that year, the 
 occasion being the celebration of the one hundredth anni- 
 versary of the incorporation of his native town. He 
 regarded it as an honor and a privilege to oificiate as the 
 orator of so interesting an epoch to him and them. And 
 well did he acquit himself on the occasion, rising — as, 
 indeed, was ever his custom — to the level of the theme, 
 justifying the loving choice of his townsmen and meeting 
 fully their warmest anticipations. To this address he 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 5 
 
 brought, as was expressed by the president of the day, 
 "the energies of a vigorous intellect and the ardor of an 
 allectionate heart," testityiug in his presence and mental 
 power, that "the race of Xew Boston had deteriorated 
 neither in stature of body, nor in breadth and vigor of 
 intellect." "And," says the narrator of the proceedings, 
 "he was listened to for nearly two hours with intense 
 satisfaction." 
 
 In 186G, Mr, Cochrane was elected from the City As- 
 sembly District of Albany county, to the Legislature of 
 the state, notwithstanding the district was Democratic 
 politically, while he was a prominent member of the 
 opposite, or Republican party. This election was owing 
 to the standing and popularity of Mr. Cochrane among 
 his fellow citizens, and his conceded fitness for the sta- 
 tion, which station he honored throughout with rare ability 
 and unblemished integrity, vindicating the high opinion 
 of, and the confidence reposed in him by his townsmen in 
 his industry, business aptitude and fervid eloquence, and 
 in the zeal with which he embarked in all things pertaining 
 to the prosperity and general interests of the city, as well 
 as those of the state at large. lie was at once appointed 
 to the most responsil)le and honorable post, next to the 
 s[»eakership, in the House — that of Chairman of the 
 Committee of Ways and Means. 
 
 His previous congressional career was likewise distin- 
 guished by unquestioned probity, and by his eloquence 
 in the many debates in which he participated, therein 
 ]ir(»ving himself second to none of the other representatives 
 of the Empire State. 
 
 If he was marked as a Statesman, he was also eminent 
 as a Jurist. Xot only was he versed in the learning of the 
 law, but as an advocate he was noted for the warmth and 
 vigor of his eloquence before a jury as well as the enthu- 
 siasm with which he throw himself into the cause of his 
 
6 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 client, making emphatically that cause his own. His 
 keen gray eye would flash and his rich voice deepen in the 
 intefest he felt in the progress and varying phases of the 
 trial on hand. If he was instinct with life and ardor 
 before judge and jury, in the thoughtful quiet of his study 
 he was no less assiduous in preparing his points and briefs 
 with careful, logical precision under a process of laborious 
 investigation. 
 
 His style of oratory was quite impassioned, alive with 
 action, while his language was apt in expression and 
 vivified with bursts of feeling and fancy. His voice was 
 soft, deep and musical — an instrument well fitted to ex- 
 press his rapid thoughts and ardent emotions. 
 
 We have spoken of Mr. Cochrane as a jurist and states- 
 man, but justice would not be done him were mention 
 omitted of his attainments as a scholar and ability as a 
 writer. He preserved his early taste for the classics, and 
 his reading in miscellaneous literature was varied and 
 extensive. He particularly affected political literature and 
 the biographies of our eminent public men. The writer 
 well remembers his frequently expressed opinions of our 
 great national characters, he discussing, analytically, their 
 intellectual grades, their writings, oratory and general 
 career, while pacing backward and forward, his features 
 glowing and his gesticulation waxing fervent under his 
 own intellectual excitement. In poetry also, and the 
 higher walks of fiction, he found delightful recreation. A 
 trustee, for many years, of Union college, he watched over 
 the welfare of his Alma Mater with an affectionate interest 
 and attended her commencements with a loving appre- 
 ciation. 
 
 Of his capacity as a writer, probably no better illustra- 
 tion can be given than the address he delivered at JSTew 
 Boston, and which is inserted in the body of the Memorial. 
 No one can read it without being impressed with the elo- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 7 
 
 qucnt and grapliic beauty of the language, justness and 
 vigor of the thought, pathos of the expression, and loftiness 
 of the sentiment displayed. 
 
 It is a source of regret that transcripts of Mr. Coch- 
 raue's speeches, on various occasions, have not been pre- 
 served. Those he delivered at the many mass and other 
 political meetings, would show the 2:)0wer of his unpre- 
 meditated eloquence gratifying to his warmest admirers. 
 lie has been listened to in many of these ettbrts — indices 
 of all — with delight and pride at the ability evinced. 
 Some of his sentences were full of rhetorical beauly. 
 Born at the moment of delivery, they came perfectly 
 formed from his lips — ready, without the alteration of a 
 word for the press. Truly is the gift of extemporaneous 
 oratory valuable and vital with power and influence. It 
 vividly expresses all the fleeting feelings and sentiments 
 of the instant; it is the sound of the speaker's heart-beat, 
 the mirror that catches on its sensitive surface every ray 
 of the moment's thought and emotion, and pours it in a 
 penetrating flood into the heart of the hearer. This gift, 
 Mr. Cochrane possessed in no ordinary degree. 
 
 In person, Mr. Cochrane was above the ordinary size, 
 with a pleasant as well as intellectual expression of counte- 
 nance. His forehead was high and his features good. 
 His manners were open and genial, his disposition amiable 
 and kind, his intercourse with mankind cheerful and 
 sincere. 
 
 In his private life he won the love and confidence of 
 those who knew him best, and the respect and esteem of 
 all. No one could know that honest and tender heart 
 of his, that kind impulsive temperament, that sunny 
 frankness, that almost boyish simplicity, without loving 
 and trusting him ! No one could appreciate his geniality, 
 his thoroughly manly character, his self-reliance, his un- 
 wearied industry, his pei*sistent energy in the struggles of 
 
8 Memoeial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 life without honoring and esteeming him ! And then his 
 Christian benevolence, his devotion to every object tend- 
 ing to the welfare of the race ! How truly distinguished 
 and beneficent the record of his life. Although dead, 
 our friend lives in his virtues. 
 
 He died on the fifth day of March, 1867, in the fifty- 
 second year of his age. The tidings of his death reached 
 keenly to many a heart, and he was borne to his rest 
 amid the sorrows of relatives and friends, and regrets 
 of a large concourse who, in their attendance, bore testi- 
 mony to their appreciation of his loss. The faneral cere- 
 monies were deeply impressive. The Assembly of the 
 State Legislature adjourned, and attended the funeral, 
 highly eulogistic and even afiectionate addresses having 
 previously been delivered, on the annouilcement of his 
 death, in that body. His remains were taken, under the 
 care of a numerous committee of prominent members of 
 the legal profession appointed by the Bar of the city, to 
 Amsterdam for interment. In the churchyard of the spot 
 where he began his career of manhood, Clark B. Cochrane 
 sleeps, and many memories are watchers at his grave. 
 
EXTRACTS FR031 THE PRESS. 
 
 [ From thf Aldatuj Evening Journal, March 5, 1SG7. ] 
 
 Death of Hon. Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 V/UR citizens were painfully aftected this morning by the 
 announcement of the death of Hon. Clark B. Cochrane. 
 Although this result has been, for some days past, deemed 
 imminent, there have beeu occasional indications which 
 excited hojie. But those who have watched the progress 
 of the disease most closely have feared from the first. The 
 most ski II till surgeons in the state have been baffled in 
 tlieir attempts to discover its character, and have, as a 
 consequence, been unable to prescribe with the precision 
 needful to check its progress. He died at nine o'clock 
 tins morning, in the fifty-second year of his age. 
 
 He has beeu ill since the first of January. On that day 
 he argued a cause before the supreme court at Schenectady. 
 At the close of the argument he was seized with severe 
 vomiting, which greatly prostrated him. In the evening, 
 he took the cars for this city: hut the train was detained 
 near AVest Albany by the heavy snow-drifts, and he 
 remained in the cars all night. In the morning, with 
 his system deranged, and his physical energies weakened 
 by the sickness of the day before, he w'alked to the city 
 through the deep snow, and sufi'ered greatly from the 
 elfort. On reacliing liome, he was quite prostrated, but 
 in a d;iy or two was enabled to attend to his business, but 
 nut with his usual zest and energy. In about a fortnight, 
 he was obliged to succumb, retiring to his room, never 
 again to leave it to engage in the activities of busy life. 
 
10 Memorial of Clark B, Cochrane. 
 
 The disease made rapid progress; and, in spite of the best 
 skill, and after intense snifering, he passed into his rest. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane was born in New Boston, IST. H., on the 
 31st day of May, 1815. He gave early evidence of intel- 
 lectual superiority, and after passing through all the schools 
 in the immediate neighborhood of his home, he entered 
 Union college and graduated in 1839. He immediately 
 entered upon the study of the law, and was admitted to 
 the bar in 1841. He began practice at Amsterdam, 
 where he speedily acquired distinction. He was subse- 
 quently associated in business vdth Judge Potter, of Sche- 
 nectady, and' at the time of his death, with Messrs. 
 Reynolds & Harris, of this city. 
 
 He entered public life as a democrat, and was elected 
 to the assembly, by that party, from Montgomery county, 
 in 1844. But he was early imbued with the spirit of free- 
 dom, and broke away from the democracy when he 
 discovered that it was indissolubly linked to the slave 
 power. He was nominated in 1856, for congress, as the 
 representative of the free soil sentiment of his district, and 
 elected. Being one of the earliest, most eloquent and 
 effective originators of the republican party, he was 
 renominated to congress by that party in 1858, and 
 triumphantly elected, after one of the severest contests 
 which was ever known in the district. 
 
 At the close of his congressional term, he took up his 
 residence in this city, ha^dng some years before become a 
 partner in the law iirm of Reynolds, Cochrane & Harris. 
 He at once assumed here, as he had elsewhere, a leading 
 position at the bar. 
 
 In 1866, he was elected to the assembly from the central 
 district of this city, having overcome, by his conceded 
 fitness and popularity, a democratic majority of seven 
 hundred. He was renominated last N"ovember; but, in 
 the new apportionment, an additional democratic majority 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 11 
 
 was tlirown into tlie district, too large to be overcome. 
 lie was beaten by less than one hnndred, although the 
 anti-republican majority in the district is full one thousand. 
 
 ^fr. Cochrane was a man to be loved — generous, genial 
 and noble hearted. xVs a husband and father, he was 
 kind and afiectionate. As a politician, he was earnest 
 and true. As a statesman, sagacious and patriotic. As 
 a lawyer, learned, lucid and elo(|Uont. As a Christian, 
 unostentatious, consistent and sincere. As a friend, un- 
 swerving, warm-hearted and reliable. Few purer or truer 
 men have ever passed to the tomb. His grave will be 
 l)C(hnved with the tears, and his memory will be gratefully 
 embalmed in the hearts of all who knew him well. He 
 leaves but one daughter. His wife died about two years 
 since. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane's death was announced in the assembly 
 this morning, and appropriate resolutions were passed 
 and addresses made. 
 
 The assembly presented a most affecting appearance on 
 the announcement of the death. Strong men gave evi- 
 dences of grief rarely witnessed. The suffused eyes of 
 his many friends, and the tremulous voices of those who 
 spoke to his memor}-, were worthy tributes to his many 
 virtues. 
 
 I From the Albany Argus. March O. 180". J 
 
 Dkatii of Hon, Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 -/VfTER lingering between life and death for many days, 
 Mr. Cochrane yesterday terminated his earthly career. 
 He was a gentlenum much loved and respected. He had 
 served in congress and in the legishiture of the state, and 
 bore a brilliant reputation at the bar. His temperament 
 
12 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 was full of entliusiasm ; and there is no doubt that his 
 death was occasioned by the wear of mind upon body, 
 the breaking down of the nervous system under the strong 
 pressure of study and anxiety. When his death was 
 announced in the house by Mr. Weed, of Clinton, the 
 emotions of grief on the part of the members were unre- 
 strained. The tribute of the member from Clinton was 
 followed by eloquent expressions of appreciation and sym- 
 pathy and grief on the part of Messrs. Stiles, and Selkreg, 
 Millspaugh, Clark, of Schoharie, Wilber, Bigelow, Wood, 
 of Onondaga, and the speaker. 
 
 Kone felt that they could render too high an eulogy 
 upon their old companion and friend. When Mr. Parker, 
 of Cayuga, attempted to speak, his emotions choked his 
 utterance. He had to give way; but his silence was 
 itself eloquent. 
 
 [ Editorial correspoodence, from Albany, of the Daily Brooklyn Union. ] 
 
 Death of Hon. Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 V,^LARK B. Cochrane died at nine o'clock this morning. 
 A feeling of melancholy and gloom seems to liave settled 
 down on the city, occasioned by the loss of one of her 
 favorite citizens. On every corner, in hotels and at pri- 
 vate houses, wherever man meets man, the sorrowful 
 expression is " Clark B. Cochrane is dead ! " 
 
 Few men have passed so public and exposed a life, so 
 honorably, tridy and faithfully as Mr. Cochrane, for there 
 seems to be in the verj^ air of politics that which vitiates 
 nearly all who long breathe it, taking from them the 
 strict integrity which lias marked their character thereto- 
 fore. Such was not the case with Mr. Cochrane, as his 
 most intimate friends all assure us, and against their state- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 13 
 
 ments no shadow of doubt lifts its cruel finger. As is the 
 case with so many of our eminent men, Mr. Cochrane 
 began his career amid many disadvantages, having to 
 contend with a lack of means, and to teach school in order 
 to fit himself for his profession. I first Ivnew him sixteen 
 or seventeen years ago, in Amsterdam, Montgomery 
 county, of this state, at which time he had already repre- 
 sented his district one session of the legislature, and was 
 rapidly rising to the proud position he attained in the 
 state and in the country, as an able lawyer and a thorough 
 patriot. In 1856, he was elected to congress from the 
 Schenectady district, and in 1858, he was reelected. In 
 1859, the intense excitement then surrounding congres- 
 sional life proved too great for his mind to bear, and he 
 was obliged to return home for rest and reinvigoration. 
 He was, however, able to resume his seat before congress 
 adjourned, but his absence was severely felt. From the 
 expiration of his term in congress, Mr. Cochrane resided 
 in this city, devoting himself closely to his profession, in 
 till' lirni of whii'li .John TI. licynolds and Hamilton Harris 
 were the other members. He was a most excellent law- 
 yer, and in the middle, western and northern portions of 
 the state his reputation for ability became very extended 
 and secure. He was prevailed on to accept a nomination 
 tor tlu' legislature in 1865, and represented one of the 
 Albany districts last year, when he was the acknowledged 
 leader of the house, and received the title of The Great 
 Pacifica/or^ on account of his success in quieting angry 
 debate and personality. His favorite bill — that making 
 an appropriation for the erection of a new Capitol — was 
 defeated bv side issues, all who voted aorainst him a^ree- 
 iiig with him that tlic present Capitol is simply a disgrace 
 to the Empire stiite. His speech in favor of this measure 
 was one of the most eloquent speeches ever made on the 
 floor of the house, and has been mentioned to me, within 
 
14 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 a few hours by several who heard or read it, as being 
 most eloquent. In 1844, he was one of the primitive 
 barnburners. In 1848, he supported Van Buren and 
 Adams. In 1854, he vigorously opposed the Kansas- 
 ISTebraska bill, and has since acted with the republicans. 
 The universal testimony is that a more amiable man in 
 private life and upright in political circles was never 
 known; and an intimate acquaintance with him at his 
 home and as he was among his constituents, obliges me to 
 heartily coincide with the profound eulogies passed upon 
 him, and to add my testimony to the great mass so gladly 
 furnished by those acquainted with him, though by many 
 who were in political measures radically opposed to him. 
 His funeral mil take place on Thursday next, at noon, at 
 the church of which he was a prominent member, and of 
 which Rev. Dr. Halley is the pastor. 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN THE ASSE31BLY OF 
 THE STATE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 Death of Hon, Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 JMR. Weed rose to make a very painful announcement, 
 and to o\Yqv a resolution. He announced the death of 
 lion. Clark B. Cocln-anc, and ottered the following reso- 
 lutions : 
 
 Resolved, That this house has heard with deep and 
 heartfelt regret of the death of the Hon. Clark B. Coch- 
 rane, of the city of Alhany, a member of the assembly 
 of this state in 18GG, and a prominent and distinguished 
 citizen of this state ; a man who has by a long and honor- 
 able jiublic life : by endearing private and social virtues, 
 and l)y his noble and manly qualities of mind and heart, 
 endeared himself to the citizens of the city of Albany, of 
 the state at large, and particularly to his associates of the 
 assembly of 1866. 
 
 Resolred, That when the assembly adjourns to-day, it 
 adjourn to ten a. m. of the 6th instant, out of respect to 
 the deceased. 
 
 Mr. Weed spoke as follows : 
 
 If the house will bear with me for a moment, I will pay 
 a slight tribute to the memory of Mr. Cochrane. My only 
 a]»oUigy for asking this of the house is my personal rela- 
 tions to the deceased, and his standing and position as a 
 man in this state. ^lany upon the floor of this house 
 were as well acquainted with the deceased as myself, but 
 some may not know the more prominent points of his 
 history. Over twenty years ago he was a member of the 
 
16 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 assembly from the county of Montgomery. Later in life, 
 lie was, for two terms, a member of congress from this 
 state. At that time he resided in the city of Schenectady; 
 and last year, in 1866, he was again a member of the 
 lower branch of the legislature. To the members of this 
 body in 1866 I need say nothing upon the subject. His 
 relations with every man of us were such that every one 
 felt as I felt when the announcement was made to-day, as 
 if they had lost a personal and particular friend. My own 
 relations to the deceased have been intimate for several 
 years. We met at the bar, where he was a shining light, 
 known throughout the state of JSTew York, and particularly 
 in the central and northern portions of it, as one of the 
 ablest, most eloquent and learned advocates at the bar. 
 Coupled at the same time with his reputation as such advo- 
 cate, was his reputation as a man, and as a sincere, true 
 and honest friend. Though I differed with him radically 
 in parties, yet my relations with him upon the floor were of 
 the kindest and most intimate character. Every member 
 of that body will remember and cherish his memory, it 
 seems to me, with the sentiments expressed in the resolu- 
 tions offered by myself Mr. Cochrane was honored with 
 the chairmanship, last year, of what is supposed to be 
 the most important committee of this body, and as such 
 chairman and as a member of this body, he discharged 
 his duties faithfully, earnestly, and, I believe, thoroughly 
 and honestl}^ To his social qualities, every member who 
 knew him, and certainly every member of the house of 
 1866, the citizens of Albany, and his friends wide-spread 
 throughout the state and throughout the Union, can bear 
 testimony. No man was more genial, more pleasant and 
 more social. No man met a more honorable, upright 
 and earnest combatant in debate. No man had a more 
 truthftil friend. His pleasant face, his genial manners, 
 and his noble intellect have gone from among us. On the 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 17 
 
 face of tlio earth wc sliall see liini no more. But the 
 recollections of him will ever be green in the minds of 
 those who had the pleasure on earth to know him. 
 
 Mr. Stiles, of Chautauqua : 
 
 I desire to detain the house, Mr. Speaker, hut for a 
 single moment. It has been my pleasure to know Mr. 
 Cochrane for over thirty years, and during that time he 
 has been my friend. I feel now, sir, in hearing the 
 announcement of his death, as I always feel when I learn 
 of the death of one of my nearest and dearest kindred. 
 Mr, Cochrane was a most faithful, truthful and earnest 
 Hum, a man of great ability and a public servant whose 
 personal integrity was unquestioned. He was a man who 
 worked his own way up to the high position which he 
 attained in the confidence of the people of his state, who 
 was indebted to nobody but himself and his own energy 
 for whatever success he attained in life. In early life he 
 was a poor boy. He received the money to engage in the 
 study of his profession, by teaching a district school in the 
 village of Amsterdam, in Montgomery county. 
 
 It was soon discovered that he was a young man of 
 great promise and ability. He soon succeeded in being 
 admitted to the bar, where he took a high position. Soon 
 he was elected a member of the assembly from that 
 county, and since has served two terms as a member 
 of congress for the Schenectady district. How he had 
 acquitted himself in public life is to-day a matter of his- 
 tory. AVe all knew him, well and favorably. He was 
 not only a man of aliilify and integrity, but of great ear- 
 nestness of character. He possessed all the zeal of Paul 
 and the goodness of Barnabas, and most lieartily do I 
 second the motion of the gentlenum from Clinton — Mr. 
 AVce.l. 
 
 yiv. Selkreg, of Tompkins : 
 
 Allow me to say that while it was not my fortune to 
 3 
 
18 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 be ever connected with the distinguished deceased in a 
 legislative capacity, it has been my good fortune for 
 several years to be intimate with him in social inter- 
 course. There has been no announcement during this 
 year which has brought more poignant grief to my heart, 
 than the announcement made by the gentleman from 
 Clinton — Mr. "Weed. In all the relations of life, the 
 deceased stood foremost among his fellows, and to-day, 
 while the grave has closed over his faults, if faults he 
 ever had, his virtues grow brighter and brighter. I 
 trust that as he has drifted out upon that sea which lias 
 but one shore and whose heavings beyond are infinite 
 and eternal, so may we, each one of us, in our humble 
 spheres, endeavor to emulate him, that we may gain the 
 respect of our fellow men to follow us, in some small 
 degree, as it has followed the Honorable Clark B. Coch- 
 rane. 
 
 Mr. Parker, of Cayuga, arose to address the house, but 
 had hardly commenced before overcome by emotion, he 
 was compelled to take his seat. 
 
 Mr. Millspaugh, of Orange : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, my experience as a member of this body 
 commenced with the last session of the legislature. It 
 was the first time that I had ever had the pleasure of 
 meeting with the distinguished deceased. It is a lesson at 
 all times, and is instructive to us, who are permitted to 
 remain, to hear the announcement that a fellow mortal has 
 been taken from the world. In all the relations of life, as 
 a Christian, as a philanthropist, and a citizen, Mr. Coch- 
 rane stood prominent. As a legislator upon this fioor, we 
 who knew him appreciated his abilities and his worth. 
 We knew with what zeal he advocated upon this floor a 
 measure in which his soul was interested, the bill making 
 appropriation for a new capitol in the city of Albany, we 
 all having hung with rapture upon that speech never to be 
 
MemorAl of Clark B. Cochrane. 19 
 
 forgotten by those who listened to it. Upon this floor, 
 one year ago, he was with us in the midst of health and 
 strength and vigorous manhood. To-day his head lies on 
 the cold pillow of death. Let whatever faults he may 
 have had be forgotten, but the deeds of good men will 
 live, and smell sweet and blossom in the dust. 
 
 Mr. W. S. Clark, of Schoharie : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, I feel it incumbent upon me, as one of the 
 constituents of the deceased when in congress, to add a 
 sentence or two upon this occasion, as a tribute to the cha- 
 racter and virtues of Mr. Cochrane. Having met him 
 under circumstances when the passions of men were 
 excited, and learning that there were none of the animosi- 
 ties in his heart, which sometimes characterize men in 
 political canvasses, although opposed to him, yet by his 
 geniality, freshness, generosity, earnestness and conscien- 
 tiousness, he became endeared to me, as men seldom 
 bci'ome endeared to us, to whom we are opposed. In all 
 his relations of life, as well professional and social as 
 political, I have never seen anything, or heard anything to 
 lesson the estimate I had formed of him. I therefore 
 could not do otherwise than esteem him as one of the 
 noblest specimens of humanity, and of American citizen- 
 shi]». And r have only lo add, that so far as I know, 
 none kne'\\- him l>ut love him, and none named him but to 
 praise. 
 
 Mr. AVilber, of Dutchess : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, I can l)ut unite, in seconding the resolu- 
 tions that have been oft'ered by the gentleman from Clin- 
 ton — Mr. "Weed — in reference to the departed. To those 
 of the last house, I can more particularly refer, to confirm 
 mo in the statement that the few months which have 
 intervened during the recess, after the adjournment of the 
 last legislature, seem not to have been sufiicient to wipe 
 out the memory of his presence. It seems but yesterday 
 
20 Memorial of Clark B. C(ftHRANE. 
 
 that he was one of the members of this house. We of 
 the last house instinctively look across the chamber to his 
 vacant seat. Though we had known of his illness, yet has 
 the presence of the messenger of death, as it comes to the 
 family circle, come upon us with a suddenness, seemingly, 
 that creates surprise. Of him I think I can convey the 
 idea that is conceded universally among those who knew 
 him, by saying that he was a man of great intellect, of 
 great heart, a scholar and a gentleman. 
 
 I can express, by mere words, no adequate idea of the 
 man of whom we are speaking, and there are none who 
 was more entitled to be distinguished. He was esteemed 
 by all who knew him as one of the representative men of 
 our state and our country — one of the representative men 
 of our institutions — a man who grew from the humbler 
 walks of life, who was the architect of his own fortunes, 
 and who demonstrated the truth that under our institu- 
 tions, a man, in whatever position he may be, may by 
 goodness of heart and of intelligent following out of a 
 laudable purpose, and studious labor, build himself up to 
 a high position. Not only as a representative in the halls 
 of legislation of his state or of the nation, but as a repre- 
 sentative at home in his community and in his neighbor- 
 hood, he was one who universally received the encomiums 
 of the good Mdio knew him ; and as such we mourn his 
 death, and as such I can unite in seconding the proper 
 resolution which is now before us. The announcement 
 came upon us suddenly. It becomes us, as members of 
 the last house, to unite in the sentiments therein ex- 
 pressed. I can only recall a single expression of the last 
 house, which grew out of the manifestations of his genial 
 character, at his goodness of heart. It was one of those 
 spontaneous things which are given birth to and which no 
 man can at the moment assign a reason, and yet it was 
 singularly appropriate. Mr. Cochrane was called upon 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 21 
 
 the floor of the house the Great Pacificator. He always 
 sat liere, ready to raise his voice ; and the pure diction, 
 the eloquent language, and the humble expressions which 
 came from his good heart, were always used to smooth 
 down and calm the ruftled feelings of those with whom 
 he was connected, and, therefore, we used to appeal to 
 liim as the Great Pacificator. In the house, if our ses- 
 sions beeaniu stormy, Clark B. Cochrane would arise, 
 regardless of party, regardless of position, regardless of 
 feeling, and his voice would calm the angry waves of 
 contentious strife. His words fell as oil uj^on the trou- 
 bled waters, and when I say that he was a scholar, a 
 man of mind, of heart, and a man who was the GreKt 
 Pat'ifii-ator among those with whom he was brought in 
 contact until the da}' of his death, I but pay a tribute to 
 which he was eminently entitled. 
 
 Mr. Bigelow, of Jeflferson : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, silence is really the most eloquent Ian-- 
 guage of sorrow, and I should have remained in my seat, 
 sir, but I have observed that among the many touching 
 ti-i1iutrs paid to the lionorcd deceased, there have been 
 none from the younger members of this house. Clark B. 
 Cochrane was preeminently a favorite among the young 
 men of this state. He was the idol to whoni their hero 
 wor-^liij) was instinctively })aid. Drawn l)y the siil»tle 
 magnetism of his ingenuous nature, they circled around 
 him for sympathy, counsel and inspiration. Tt was my 
 good fortune to know liini — though he did not know 
 me — wliih' a student at college, and often heard him 
 advocating cases at the Circuit Court, when he resided at 
 Schenectady. Later, when studying law in this city, I 
 used to listen to his eloquent efforts at the bar, and when 
 an apjilieant for a position in this house last \Adnter, I 
 brought a letter of introduction to him, I, as always, 
 received the most cordial and friendlv considerations at 
 
22 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Ills hands. To me, as to every young man who enjoyed 
 his acquaintance, he mingled the counsel of a parent with 
 the sweet familiarity of a friend. His eminence as an 
 advocate and his prominence as a legislator, have entered 
 into history, and need no commendation from those who 
 knew him well. In every intellectual combat, he was like 
 Bayard on the battle field, " a knight without fear and 
 without reproach." As I can add nothing to what has 
 already been said in commemoration of his public and 
 private virtues, I will, with equal truth and propriety, 
 apply to him the beautiful tribute of Fitz Green Halleck 
 to his cherished and departed friend : 
 
 " Green be the grass above thee, 
 Friend of my better days : 
 None knew thee but to love thee, 
 Nor named thee but to praise." 
 
 Mr. D. P. Wood, of Onondaga : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, I cannot let the opportunity pass without 
 bearing my testimony to some of those manly qualities 
 possessed by the deceased which came to my knowledge 
 as his associate upon one of the committees of the last 
 house. I was entirely unacquainted with Mr. Cochrane 
 until I met him upon the floor at the commencement of 
 last session of the legislature. It was my good fortune 
 as well as my pleasure to have served during the hundred 
 days of that eventful session with him upon the important 
 committee of which he was chairman, and as those who 
 have borne tribute to his memory this morning, have 
 spoken of those traits of character which were more appa- 
 rent and which were among the more stirring points of 
 his character, and which have been so well portrayed, I 
 can do nothing better than to subscribe to every one of 
 the sentiments wliicli have been uttered by his eulogists. 
 I will say one word in relation to these traits of character 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 23 
 
 which hecame manifest in the discharge of the arduous* 
 duties int'umhcnt upon liim as a member of the committee 
 of which he was cliairman, and which will put his cha- 
 I'rtctcr before this house in another light — that of a labo- 
 rious, sincere and honest statesman. In examining and 
 passing upon the innumerable applications presented to 
 that committee, calling for the disbursement of vast sums 
 of the public treasure, he was always patient, laborious 
 and persistent in his eftbrts to promote the public interest, 
 and to guard the public welfare. It became my duty at 
 times to ditfcr with him upon questions which came 
 licfore us: 1»ut I am happy to say that these differences 
 were not many. There never was the least personality 
 between us on those differences. He was in every sense a 
 man ]iossessing those glorious traits of character which 
 enable the possessor to recognize the great fact that in the 
 exercise of legislative duties men must difier even upon 
 (juestions about which there is vital personal interest. It 
 will be l)orne in mind by some of my associates of last 
 winter that we differed upon a Cj[uestion which was more 
 vital to him than any other which came before this body, 
 one in which his whole heart and soul were engaged. It 
 is my [)leasure to say, and I think this house will be glad 
 to learn that trait of his character, that notwithstanding 
 that difference was great, and the contest was severe, 
 there never was the least exhibition on his part, of a 
 rnftk'd temper or disposition. And when that contest was 
 over, and we met as we frequently did, during the ensu- 
 ing summer, we met as friends and brothers. And while 
 Mr. Cocln-anc has Itccn lingering upon the bed of disease 
 and sickness, which has finally terminated in death, I 
 wati'hed him daily. [Mr. Wood here exhibited great 
 emotion.] I have felt his suffering. This event was not 
 uidookcd for. I take it that every member acquainted 
 witli him, for days [>ast, has known that his end was near 
 
24 Memorial op Clark B. Cc^chrane. 
 
 • at hand ; and I think that all who knew him, without 
 exception, will say with me, that they all felt this morn- 
 ing, when they heard of his decease, as though they had 
 lost a friend and brother. 
 
 The speaker — Hon. E. L. Pitts — in submitting the 
 resolutions to a vote of the house, said : 
 
 Without desiring to trespass upon the time of the 
 house, I beg the indulgence of members to say a few 
 words before submitting the resolution to a vote. I 
 greatly rejoiced that the gentleman from Clinton took 
 the opportunity to introduce resolutions appropriate to 
 the occasion. I never had an acquaintance with Mr. 
 Cochrane until I came here at the last session of the 
 legislature, when it was my good fortune to be returned 
 with him as a member of this house. The best and high- 
 est tribute which was ever paid to a departed man was 
 truly due to Clark B. Cochrane, and it is the concurrent 
 sentiment of all who knew him, both in public and in pri- 
 vate, at home and abroad, that he was an honest man. I 
 believe that Mr. Cochrane scorned ever to do a dishonest 
 act. In every department of life, and every sphere of 
 human usefulness, in which I had the pleasure to meet 
 him, I always invariably found him opposed to the wrong, 
 and advocating the right. While we might differ as to 
 the policy or expediency of a measure which he might 
 deem best for the public good, his opponents universally 
 conceded to him an unswerving integrity. It should be our 
 desire to secure to ourselves some of the bright jewels for 
 the crown of honor bestowed upon such public men that 
 we may so honor those whom we represent, and receive 
 the same plaudits that he has won as an honest man and 
 a noble statesman. Let us, while mourning his loss imi- 
 tate his example and emulate his virtues, as a son, a 
 neighbor, a father, a husband, a counselor, an advocate, 
 a legislator, and statesman. The life of Clark B. Coch- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 25 
 
 rane was a grand and glorious success. He is not dead. 
 He has gone to liis home. He is not dead, but simply rests 
 from a life of toil and labor. He is not dead, but, like a 
 good man, he has gone from his wear}' pilgrimage to a 
 liaven of rest. He is not dead, but has fallen asleep. 
 
 Ff no other gentleman desires to express sentiments 
 which well up spontaneous to the heart, I will submit the 
 resolutions to a vote of the house. 
 
 The resolutions were then adopted. 
 
 Mr. Hiscock offered the following : 
 
 Resolved, That the members and officers of the house 
 in a body attend the funeral of the late Hon. Clark B. 
 Cochrane. 
 
 Adopted. 
 
 The house then adjourned. 
 
FUNERAL PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 XhE last sad offices over the remains of lion. Clark B. 
 Cochrane were observed on the 7th of March. The 
 mourning relatives of the deceased and their sympathizing 
 friends assembled in the Third Presbyterian church (Rev. 
 Dr. Halley's) at 12 m. The members of the assembly, of 
 the bar, and of the republican general committee, pro- 
 ceeded to the church in a body. After reading of the 
 scriptures by the Rev. Dr. Van Vechten, an impressive 
 prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Sprague, which was fol- 
 lowed by an appropriate and solemn voluntary by the 
 choir, after which Rev. Dr. Halley delivered a deeply 
 affecting address, reviewing the exemplary and useful life 
 of the deceased, settiilg forth his exalted character and 
 virtues, public and private, and urging their emulation 
 upon his hearers. 
 
 After the benediction, the audience formed in proces- 
 sion, and accompanied the remains to the depot of the 
 Central rail road, where they were placed in the cars and 
 conveyed to Amsterdam, accompanied by a delegation of 
 his more intimate friends, to be interred in the family 
 burying ground. 
 
 Dr. Halley's Address. 
 
 Death is busy among our public men. A few weeks 
 
 ago we were startled by the sudden bereavement of an 
 
 eminent citizen and physician,* whose amiable qualities 
 
 endeared him to a wide circle of friends, and whose talents 
 
 * Dr. Howard Townsend. 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 27 
 
 threw a clistinguisliecl lustre over liis profession and tliat 
 medical school in which he was a professor. And now 
 we are met to pay the last tribute of respect to one 
 endeared to many of us by the excellencies of his character, 
 whose name became known in our city as one of its house- 
 hold words, who occupied high positions both in our state 
 and general governments, and who was suddenly struck 
 down in the vigor of his talents and the meridian of his 
 usefulness. This is the end of all living. To this genius, 
 talent, distinction, excellence, must come at last. There 
 is no discharge in the warfare. The monarch, wrapped in 
 his robes of state, the statesman in his public services, the 
 merchant in his invoices, the scholar in his library, the 
 philosopher in his speculations, and the mechanic in his 
 craft — all must yield to this law. Grant his pastor the 
 privilege of dropping a leaflet or two on his coflin, and in 
 the presence of a large assemblage of his friends, to pay 
 a sincere though inadequate tribute to one whom he 
 esteemed and loved. 
 
 Clark B. Cochrane was born 31st of Ma}^, 1815, at l^ew 
 Boston, amid the bold and majestic scenery of New HaniiD- 
 shire. To these scenes and associations of his youth, I 
 have no doubt that we owe some peculiar features of his 
 character. Mountainous regions have always produced a 
 race, possessed of sterling qualities, hardy, ardent, gene- 
 rous, patriotic, of indomitable energy of character and 
 enthusiastic love of liberty; simple and sometimes blunt 
 in their address, they are men that have always distin- 
 guished themselves in seasons of emergency. They were 
 not reeds, shaken by the winds, nor possessed of the 
 refinement of those trained in kings' palaces, but they 
 have displayed a vigor of purpose, a constancy of cha- 
 racter, a stern integrity which enabled them to act as 
 patriots and martyrs in the cause of truth. Our deceased 
 friend had many of these characteristics. 
 
28 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 After passing with great credit through his academic 
 and collegiate course of education, lie devoted himself to 
 the practice of the law at Amsterdam, and at Schenectady; 
 but the wide-spread i-eputation of his talents determined 
 his friends to raise him to a higher position. lie was 
 elected to Congress, and at the close of his second term, 
 took up his residence in this city, became a partner in a 
 law firm, along with his eminent associates, Messrs. Rey- 
 nolds and Harris, and in 1866 served as one of the mem- 
 bers of assembly of the state. 
 
 His health, never vigorous, sank at last under the 
 arduous duties of his professional life. His temperament 
 was ardent, nervous, generous, and the exciting scenes in 
 Avliicli he moved gradually consumed the energies of his 
 system. Had he gone about his duties in a cold, formal 
 manner, his life would have been a longer and a happier 
 one. But this was incompatible with the ardor of his 
 mind. He never did anything by halves; he embarked in 
 every object with the full enthusiasm of his nature, and 
 thus an overwhelming sense of responsibility was con- 
 stantly oppressing him and wearing down the energies of 
 his nature. 
 
 His time was also largely occupied by many, who 
 knowing his benevolence and having full confidence in his 
 sound judgment, repaired to him for counsel. Scarcely a 
 scheme of reform or plan of education or an important 
 political measure could be projected without being pre- 
 viously submitted to him. Leisure, or the buoyancy of a 
 disencumbered mind, was a luxury he seldom enjoyed. 
 His brain was kept constantly stimulated by new and 
 exciting duties that were devolved upon him. The sad 
 results of these incessant demands, the violence of this 
 undue momentum to the elastic energies of his nature 
 were at last painfully visible. He became prematurely 
 old, and he fell a victim to that wasting, ever-consumino-, 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 29 
 
 slow, but surely destructive system, by wliicli tlie mind is 
 goaded on in tbe present day to continued efforts, and so 
 many of our eminent citizens fall annually tlie victims of 
 popular injustice. 
 
 In the characters of most men there is some prominent 
 feature that distinguishes them. l^o one ever on the 
 slightest acquaintance with Mr. Cochrane could fail to see 
 that his was the generosity of his nature. True he was 
 a learned jurist, an eloquent speaker, an earnest pleader, 
 but this threw a charm over all his endowments. He was 
 full of the milk of human kindness. It was recognized 
 in the glance of his eye, the tone of his voice and the 
 pressure of his hand. He took a deep interest in every 
 movement that contemplated the advancement of his spe- 
 cies in knowledge and moral worth. How pleased was he 
 when any scheme of this kind, started under favorable 
 auspices, promised to be successful, and how sad as he 
 listened to fearful details of calamity and crime. His 
 heart overflowed with sympathy towards those around 
 him, and those who repaired to him for counsel, can 
 testify to the warmth of his feelings as well as to the recti- 
 tude of his judgment. This quality was strikingly seen at 
 his domestic circle. He was kind, confiding and unosten- 
 tatious. How sensitive to the cry of pain ; how zealous 
 to alleviate suffering; how cautious in wounding the feel- 
 ings of others; liow effectual, yet how unstudied, his power 
 to throw around him' the sunshine of a loving and con- 
 fiding heart. That home was two years ago darkened by 
 bereavement, and those who witnessed his anxiety, as 
 hope or fear predominated during the long illness of the 
 partner of his affections, and the deep sorrow with which 
 he mourned her loss, can bear testimony to the warm 
 throbbings of his heart. 
 
 It is not n(^.cessary to expatiate on the qualities of his 
 public character. He whose voice was so frequently heard 
 
30 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 on important questions during two c^ongresaional terms, 
 who recently had a seat in the legislature of this state, and 
 held several important offices, has left ample materials for 
 forming our judgment of him. Those who knew him 
 best speak of him most devotedly. The two gentlemen 
 with whom he was associated in business mourn his loss 
 and bear testimony to the integrity and candor that 
 marked all his proceedings with them. His brethren of 
 the bar speak in the highest terms of his talents and of 
 the honorable conduct that he displayed in his intercourse 
 with them. And I need only refer to the memorable 
 scene that took place two days ago in the house of i-epre- 
 sentatives of this cit}' — and in the burst of deep sorrow 
 which filled the house when the intelligence of his death 
 was communicated, as well as the eloquent testimonies to 
 his worth which it drew forth, we learn how deeply his 
 loss was felt among those who could most justly appreciate 
 him. 
 
 It is unnecessary for me, after such ample testimonies, 
 to make any reference to his splendid talents, or his 
 eminence in his profession. There was one peculiarity 
 that struck me in his public speaking, and which may be 
 resolved into that generous nature with which he was so 
 largely endowed. At the opening of a case, when he was 
 fortifying his position by appeals to learned authorities, or 
 making nice distinctions, you never dreamed that you were 
 listening to a dry pleader. There 'were here and there 
 indications of a highly emotional nature, like the mutter- 
 ings of the thunder before the storm ; and it was when he 
 had left the technicalities of the case and took up the 
 humanities, when he dilated on the wrongs and hard- 
 ships of his client, when he was vindicating a reputation 
 unjustly slandered, or throwing the shield of law and 
 equity over some victim of oppression, or in unmasking 
 the schemes of villany, the eye flashed, the bosom heaved 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 31 
 
 and the pent up energies of the soul at last broke forth in 
 conflagrations of powerful eloquence. For this reason, 
 his addresses to juries were always considered the most 
 effective, as he was less trammeled by abstract details, and 
 appealing to the inherent sympathies of our nature. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane was eminently a lover of his country. 
 He admired its constitution, and studied zealously to 
 promote its interests. His generous heart sympathized 
 with man irrespective of color or caste, and he fearlessly 
 denounced oppression in whatever form it existed. He 
 was the willing patron and powerful advocate of educa- 
 tion, believing that the safety of our country in its deli- 
 verance from tyranny and misrule, mainly depended on 
 the intelligence of the masses. And when its liberties 
 were assailed and even its national individuality imperilled 
 during our recent momentous struggle, none rallied with 
 greater zeal than he round the altar of his country; none 
 denounced more severel}^ the measures of its enemies ; 
 none believed more sincerely in the issue of the conflict, 
 and none rejoiced more when the conflict was terminated 
 and the difierent sections of our country again reposed 
 under the flag of the same government. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane connected himself with this church in 
 1865, being transferred from the Presbyterian church in 
 Amsterdam village, in which he had been long a member. 
 He was a regular attendant on divine ordinances, unless 
 when the duties of his profession prevented him from 
 reaching home on Sabbath. He especially interested him- 
 self in the cause of Sunday schools. He was one of our 
 teachers, conducting a class of young men that were soon 
 to enter into public life. His mode of teaching was 
 solemn, instructive, practical. He carefully prepared him- 
 self for this duty, and the beautiful map of Palestine 
 which he purchased to aid his pupils in the study of the 
 Bible, we desire to preserve among the cherished records 
 
32 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 of our church. He frequently addressed the school at its 
 monthly concerts, and his remarks, while they were per- 
 vaded by a deep sense of piety, also indicated an intimate 
 acquaintance with the doctrines of the gospel. His last 
 illness was so prostrating, and repose deemed so essential 
 to him, that I had few opportunities for ascertaining his 
 religious experience : these, however, were sufficient to 
 convince me that while he felt his unworthiness, all his 
 hopes of mercy and future felicity w^ere anchored on the 
 atoning sacrifices of his Redeemer. 
 
 To this circle of mourning relatives, we tender our 
 warmest sympathies. May they richly enjoy the presence 
 of that God who knows where the wound bleeds and 
 the burden presses, and who can dissipate the deepest 
 shades of gloom by the consolations of his gospel. Miiy 
 these loud and frequent warnings of the uncertainty of 
 life in our midst, in the case of individuals cut off in the 
 maturity of their days and usefulness, induce us to live in 
 habitual preparedness for death, to subordinate the things 
 of time to the interests of eternity, and to be cultivating 
 those affections here which shall fit us for a life of glory 
 and immortality hereafter. 
 
 And may I not embrace the opportunity of making a 
 closing appeal to that large portion of my audience 
 engaged in the same professional duties as belonged to 
 our deceased friend. 
 
 "^AHiat shadows we are," said the great Edmund Burke, 
 on referring to the death of a political opponent, " What 
 shadows we are and what shadows we pursue." Yes, the 
 great body of men are in the pursuit of objects, airy, 
 unsubstantial, perishing and limited at best by the grave. 
 All things earthly, fame, riches, power, the most dazzling 
 objects of human ambition are all relinquished in the 
 hour of death. Yet though we pursue phantoms, we 
 ourselves are not phantoms, we are deathless, immortal 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 33 
 
 beings, here weaving the web of an endless existence, and 
 destined to Hve when stars shall have set in darkness, and 
 systems gone into annihilation', 'Tis this that invests life 
 with such mysterious solemnity. Make man immortal, 
 and every thing becomes important to him, and human 
 life swells out into a high and solemn thing. Your sati- 
 rists can laugh and sneer at human life, and make its 
 follies the subjects of their fun and caricature, and they do 
 so because they look at man only as the creature of time. 
 But if there be an existence beyond the present, what a 
 momentous thing becomes life amid the scenes and pur- 
 suits of which we are shaping and moulding our destiny 
 for ever. 
 
 Every thing here proclaims that nothing sublunary is a 
 sufficient portion for the soul. It is seen in that restless 
 dissatisfaction which all men feel with their present condi- 
 tion, and that insatiable yearning after some undefined 
 object in the future. Earth is too poor, the world is too 
 narrow, to contain any object that will satisfy a soul. It 
 is heaven-born, and will find enjoyment in objects alone 
 adapted to its nature. It has come from God, and can be 
 satislied only with divine things. In vain you try to 
 satisfy it with the things of time. You may chain the 
 eagle, whose home is the sky, or imprison him in a cage, 
 yet, though his wires be of gold, he will droop and close 
 his wings in his captivity; and though his food be the 
 richest dainties, he is not reconciled to his lot; and alone 
 will he be happy and seen in his majesty when he is per- 
 mitted to roam free and unchalleno-ed throuarh his native 
 heavens. So with the soul. It cannot be satisfied with, 
 distinctions, with honors, with i\nj thing of the earthy. 
 As immortal beings, requiring what is adapted to the 
 liigher elements of our nature, we need bread from 
 heaven, we need water of life, we need raiment that 
 waxes not old, we need houses not made with hands, we 
 5 
 
34 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 need honors that will never fade and riches that shall 
 never perish. See, then, ye intimate associates and com- 
 panions of my deceased friend, see that ye forget not the 
 one thing needful. In the last interview hut one that I 
 had with him, he lamented the tendency of the exciting 
 pursuits of life to impair the force of serious impressions. 
 Live then under an abiding sense of spiritual truth. 
 Demean not your high and noble nature. Live not be- 
 neath your sphere. Seek in the cross of Christ that which 
 can alone meet the exigencies of your fallen nature, and 
 stud}^ to live under the influence of that gospel that hath 
 the promise of the life that now is and that which is to 
 come. 
 
 Sermon by Rev. Dr. Goodale, Preached in Amsterdam, 
 K Y., March 10, 1867. 
 
 Thou changest Jiis cotintenance and sendesthim away. — Job xiv, 20. 
 
 JL HE mysterious change which death produces, is briefly 
 but graphically described in these few words. The coun- 
 tenance which glowed with health and was flushed with 
 the beauty and hope of youth, or, was clothed with the 
 expression of maturer manhood, is made pale, as the hand 
 of death passes over it, indicating too plainly to be mis- 
 taken, that the grave must be its future home. Such 
 events enter so largely into our history, and are of such 
 frequent occurrence, that no kindred circle is long left an 
 unbroken one in this world. We have all looked at the 
 change here described, as death has sundered the tie 
 between us and some dear friend as he passed, before us, 
 into the future and invisible world. Yet, in every death, 
 there is a lesson of instruction. It is the voice of God, 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 35 
 
 arresting us in the race of life, bidding us consider its 
 brevity and uncertainty, and instituting the solemn inquiry 
 concerning our preparation to meet that hour, in our 
 future history, as we must. 
 
 To aid you in reaching right impressions of this sub- 
 ject, urged home as it is by that Providence which has 
 led us to select this theme, is our present purpose. 
 
 Concerning death, let us inquire, What is it ? 
 
 1. It is that change which terminates the united exist- 
 ence of body and soul. 
 
 2. Death terminates all the plans and purposes of human 
 life. 
 
 3. Death closes human probation. 
 
 4. Death introduces the soul into its future and endless 
 state. 
 
 •^ :}: ;|; :K ;)< * * * 
 
 We have thus for spoken of death in its general rela- 
 tions to the human family. We come now to speak of it, 
 as it has arrested our attention, and passed before our eyes, 
 in the removal of one, who, for a considerable time, was a 
 member of this congregation and this church. This fact 
 makes it appropriate that we should join with others in 
 paying a tribute of respect to his memory. Others have 
 spoken of him from a comparatively limited acquaintance; 
 I deem it my privilege to speak of him, after an intimate 
 acquaintance of nearly thirty years; during a portion of 
 which time, I held the relation of pastor to him, was per- 
 mitted to guide his mind in the time of his inquiry after 
 the way of life and peace, and to admit him, by profession 
 of faith, to the membership of this church, to sit with him 
 in communion at the table of Christ, to be followed by 
 years of Cliristian fellowship as a Christian brother. 
 
 Added to this may be mentioned the fact that for a 
 time, he with his esteemed wife were members of my 
 family; in which relation we were permitted to learn much 
 
36 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 of ]iim in the hours of his unrestrained intercourse in 
 domestic and social Hfe. 
 
 An acquaintance thus begun and continued and ce- 
 mented in mutual confidence and esteem, gave to our 
 personal intercourse the freedom and confidence of most 
 intimate friends. It is not strange, therefore, that I should 
 feel liis death to be a personal loss ; and, that in what I 
 would say of him while I wovild a\'oid fulsome eulogy, 
 my words should be the utterance of partial friendship. 
 
 As has already been publicly stated — the Hon. Clark B. 
 Cochrane was born in New Boston, K. H., May 31, 1815. 
 
 His childhood and youth were spent under circum- 
 stances well calculated to lay the foundation of his subse- 
 quent success. He was the cliild of Christian parents and 
 of the covenant : as such he was the child of many 
 prayers and of a tliorough Christian discipline and training. 
 He has publicly declared that, under God, he regarded 
 himself as chiefly indebted to the moulding power of a 
 Christian mother for whatever of distinction and useful- 
 ness he had attained. That mother, now more than ninety 
 years of age, lived to witness the fruit of her patient sow- 
 ing and assiduous culture, in the distinguished character 
 and usefulness of that son; but, she is spared, also, to 
 have her aged heart crushed by his unexpected death. 
 
 Added to this faithful religious instruction and moral 
 training, the attendant circumstances of his youth, — 
 passed in that Few England home, among the hills of 
 'New Hampshire, where want was kept at a distance on 
 the one hand, by industry and frugality practiced on tlie 
 other, made him feel that labor was not only a necessity 
 but an honor, and, that, if he would achieve any thing 
 worthy of himself as a man, it must be chiefly through 
 the divine blessing on his own exertions. With this as his 
 patrimony — a richer gift than uncounted gold would have 
 been to him — he left that rural home and bent his steps 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 37 
 
 westward. After having finished his collegiate course, 
 with honor to himself, he came amongst us in 1838, just 
 as he stepped forth upon the theatre of life, in the vigor of 
 his youthful manhood. 
 
 As a young man, he will he remembered by some of us, 
 as possessing that generous chai-m, which became the 
 central power of his subsequent life. 
 
 He did not ignore his. comparatively humble origin, 
 nor leave his religious habits behind him, as too many 
 have done in migrating from the east to the west. From 
 the first he paid, at least, a decent regard to the observ- 
 ance of the Christian sabbath, and was uniform in his 
 attendance upon the house of God, thus continuing him 
 under those religious influences, which were among the 
 means, we doubt not, of his subsequent conversion. 
 
 He commenced the study of law in the office of Mr. 
 Corey, and, under his tuition, was admitted to the bar 
 in 1841. 
 
 It soon became manifest to his friends that he possessed 
 the elements of future distinction ; and the hopes then 
 raised of him, his future history confirmed. 
 
 We need not trace his historj^ as a professional and 
 public man, from the time when he came amongst us in 
 the freshness and dew of his youth, to the closing scene 
 which the last week has witnessed : that history is fiimiliar 
 to you : the steps by which he ascended from one position 
 to another of more commanding influence and power. If 
 he was ambitious, it was an honorable ambition to reach a 
 commendable end by justifiable means. We leave it for 
 others, and those more competent to judge of his ability 
 as a lawyer and his success as an advocate at the bar, to 
 bear testimony to his qualifications and success in these 
 respects. In the public testimonies which have been borne 
 of him since nis death, his associates, by common consent, 
 give liim a place in the front rank of his profession. 
 
38 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Their eulogies are in the strongest language, testifying 
 to his eminent ability and skill. 
 
 In the meeting of the Schenectady bar — where Mr. 
 Cochrane resided for five years — the utterances of the 
 members were evidently spontaneous and heai't felt, all 
 seeming to want for language to express their high ap- 
 preciation of his character as a Christian gentleman, a 
 statesman, a legislator, an advocate and a friend. In his 
 address. Judge Potter — with whom Mr. Cochrane was 
 a law partner while in that city — said, "After about five 
 years residence here, he was invited to the capital of 
 the state, where he became associated with men distin- 
 guished in the profession, he, himself, taking rank with 
 the ablest lawyers in the state ; and, perhaps it may be 
 said, that before a jury he had no superior." 
 
 It is certainly high praise to say of him, that he had 
 not his superior as an advocate, in so large, learned and 
 distinguished a body of men, as is found in the legal 
 profession in this state. 
 
 It is not pretended that he had the legal research of 
 some men, or the judicial discrimination and power of 
 others ; but that his preeminence was in the trial of 
 causes before a jury of his countrymen. 
 
 Such a position is not one of easy attainment; but must 
 be the product of a brilliant mind, of extensive legal 
 knowledge, and rare powers of persuasion. These were 
 evidently possessed by Mr. Cochrane in a degree, and 
 harmonious coml"Hnation, enjoyed by few other men. 
 
 Surely the rank of distinguished eminence in this 
 department of the legal, profession, assigned him by his 
 eminent associates at the bar, while it seems to be an 
 occasion of envy to none, may well be a source of pleasure 
 to his friends. But let us turn from his professional life 
 to contemplate a little the chief elements of his character. 
 We are not surprised that, in the many testimonies which 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 89 
 
 liave been publicly borne of his virtues, all combine in 
 ascribing to bim a generous nature as the central and 
 controlliuo- power of his character. This was so promi- 
 nent in him, that no one could be acquainted with him, 
 without perceiving it at once and feeling its influence. 
 I have seldom, if ever, known a man, whom I regarded 
 as so unselfish and benevolent and kind to all, as Clark 
 B. Cochrane. The kindness of his great heart beamed 
 forth from his eye, was expressed in his smiling counte- 
 nance, and was felt in the warm and earnest grasp of his 
 hand. It was this exuberance of his generous nature, 
 which gave him the place of a genial friend in the circle 
 of his compeers ; and drew around him the younger mem- 
 bers of his profession, bound them to him in admiration 
 and confidence, and which numbers them now amongst 
 the sincere mourners of his early death. 
 
 It was this which placed him always on the right side, 
 in questions involving right and wrong. There was 
 nothing which his soul abhorred more than oppression 
 and wrong, and injustice in all their forms. Hence he 
 never appeared to better advantage, than when his bene- 
 volent feelings found an appropriate field of action, and his 
 eloquent voice was heard in seeking relief for the victims 
 of injustice and cruelty. It was on such occasions that he 
 seemed most completely within the sphere of his high 
 calling, when his convictions of duty and his emotional 
 nature were acting in vigorous harmony, and, were bear- 
 ing him on to the attainment of some beneficent end. It 
 was then that he was sublimely great, and we felt the 
 mao-netism of his moral o;oodness moving us on in the 
 right direction. The strongest impressions which he left 
 upon the world were from this source. It was this which 
 made friends of all, and enemies of none; while it bound 
 to his heart, in chords of tender and abiding friendship, 
 those who w^ere admitted to his confidence and love. It 
 
40 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 was this feature of his character also, which, in his death, 
 spread the mantle of gloom over the city where he dwelt. 
 While it was felt that a man of distinguished ability had 
 fallen, that an eloquent advocate at the bar had ceased to 
 plead, and that a safe counselor had been removed — yet 
 the deepest emotions of grief evidently arose from the 
 feeling that a generous friend had been taken away. 
 
 It was this which gave such spontaneous utterance to 
 the sentiments of high regard for his character, and of 
 deep and heartfelt sorrow, by the numerous and distin- 
 guished associations with which he had been connected. 
 It was this which gathered at his funeral such a body of 
 men as has seldom been convened on a similar occasion ; 
 whose tears, shed over his coffin, showed the grief which 
 they felt in the death of one whom they had been led to 
 esteem and love. Such a history, with such a close, has 
 its lessons of instruction. 
 
 It is not easy to measure the influences for good set in 
 motion by such a man. 
 
 With an open heart and hand, he hardly knew how to 
 frame a denial when solicited for aid ; and then it waS' so 
 in harmony with his nature to live so little for himself, 
 and so much for others. 
 
 His chief energies were exhausted in promoting good 
 objects out of, rather than within himself. 
 
 He was continually throwing off influences from him- 
 self which were beneficial to those around him. 
 
 He has thus left behind him the evidence that he did 
 not live in vain. He has imparted benevolent impulses 
 and higher purposes to other minds; and thus engraved 
 his memory upon many hearts in grateful memorial of 
 his generous nature, which will live long after his body 
 has mouldered back to dust. 
 
 Such an example should not be lost upon others. It 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 41 
 
 should teacli us, how much more noble it is to place the 
 common welfare above personal convenience and happi- 
 ness. The high purpose of every one should be, to make 
 the world better by living in it. 
 
 It is gratifying to observe that, in the tributes of respect 
 paid to the memory of Mr. Cochrane by the numerous 
 public bodies with which he had been associated, frequent 
 recognition and distinct mention is made of his consistent 
 Christian deportment, in connection with his public and 
 official character — a testimony sustained by that of his 
 pastor, Dr. Halley, in his able and and appropriate address 
 at his funeral. It was my privilege to visit him twice 
 during his last sickness ; once, before he anticipated the 
 fatal result which followed. During the hour which we 
 spent alone together in that interview, he referred to the 
 time of our first acquaintance, and traced the principal 
 incidents of his history up to the present, and spoke of 
 his plans and hopes for the future. 
 
 While he was cheerful and confiding, there seemed to 
 be a kind of presentiment, that his future plans might not 
 be realized ; and he expressed comfort in the thought 
 that he was in the hands of God, and at his disposal. 
 
 My second interview with him, was on the Friday 
 afternoon before his death. Hope of his recovery was 
 then given up by his physicians, and by himself. I found 
 him not only in full possession of his mental faculties, but 
 was struck with the peculiar activity of his mental powers, 
 and the vividness of his impressions. Holding me in his 
 embrace with both of his hands, and with the strongest 
 expressions of aftection, he said, " The end has come, and 
 I am about to entei' eternity.'' 
 
 At once the whole past seemed to rise up before him, 
 and he surveyed it at a single glance. 
 
 He said, " It is a matter of unspeakable regret to me, 
 6 
 
42 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 that I have sniFered the world, in its engrossing cares 
 and pressing calls, to interfere so much with my religious 
 duties, and to have kept me so far from my Saviour, 
 when it was my privilege to live so near to him." 
 
 When allusion was made to his position, and the loss 
 we should all feel in his death, his quick and impressive 
 reply was, " Do not speak of human honors ! they are a 
 myth, a shadow, a nothing to me — a dying man. Only 
 pray that Clinst may lift upon me the light of his 
 reconciled countenance, and give me the assurance of 
 his love, and I am ready to die." And when we had 
 bowed our heads in united and earnest prayer, I left him 
 with calmer features, and the hope expressed, that our 
 next mcctino; mio-ht he on the other side of the river of 
 death, where we might be permitted to join in the song of 
 redeeming grace. How different the impressions of life 
 and its solemn issues amid its cares and hopes, and that 
 hour when eternity rises up before the mind as an imme- 
 diate and vivid reality. 
 
 Of one thing be assured, my friends, that when you 
 come to stand face to face with death, nothing will meet 
 your wants, but a sense of reconciliation with God, 
 through the atoning blood of Christ. 
 
 It will avail you nothing to have been successful in 
 attaining the highest honors of your fellow-men, if this 
 be all. These will then appear as trifles, as a vapor, as 
 nought compared with the value of a well-grounded hope 
 of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. Shall then the 
 providences of God, enforcing this truth of Divine revela- 
 tion, be in vain ? If any are disposed to live away from 
 the serious consideration of this question, at present, let 
 them remember that they cannot ward off the shaft of 
 death; nor evade the supreme necessity of a preparation 
 to meet it. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHENEC- 
 TADY BAB. 
 
 xxT a meeting of the Schenectady bar held at the office 
 of Hon. Piatt Potter, on motion of John L. Hill, Hon. 
 A C. Paige was called to the chair and J. S. Landon 
 appointed secretar3\ 
 
 Judge Paige on taking the chair, paid an eloquent and 
 feeling tribute to the memory of Mr. Cochriine. 
 
 On motion of Judge Potter, it was 
 
 Hesolved, That a committee be appointed by the chair 
 to draft resolutions expressive of the respect of the bar of 
 this county for the distinguished dead. 
 
 The chair appointed as such committee Piatt Potter, 
 Thomas B. Mitchell, John Sanders, D. C. Smith and 
 A. J. Thomson. 
 
 The committee, after consultation, reported the follow- 
 ing resolutions : 
 
 AVhereas, the sad intelligence has reached us of the 
 decease of Hon. Clark B. Cochrane, of Albany, formerly 
 of this city, a distinguished member of our profession, in 
 the full prime of life and usefulness. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved., That by this sad event the profession are called 
 to mourn the loss of a brother, distinguished for his learn- 
 ing, ability, fidelity and zeal, whose uniform courtesy and 
 noble and genial nature had greatly endeared to us his 
 memory ; and that he has left impressed upon our remem- 
 brance the example of an honorable and successful profes- 
 sional life. 
 
44 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Resolved^ That we shall cherish with sad recollections his 
 brilliant and successful character as an able statesman and 
 legislator, his fidelity to all the several trusts committed to 
 his care, his integrity and worth as a citizen, his example 
 as a member of the church of Christ, and his unselfish and 
 self-sacrificing attachment to his friends. That in these 
 several relations to society, the state and the church, his 
 loss will be sincerely mourned. 
 
 JResolvedy That a copy of the foregoing resolutions, 
 attested by the oflicers of this meeting, be transmitted 
 to the only daughter of Mr. Cochrane as a token of our 
 respect and sympathy. 
 
 Resolved^ That the proceedings of this meeting be pub- 
 lished in this city and Albany papers. 
 
 Hon. Piatt Potter moved the adoption of the resolutions 
 in a speech. 
 
 Mr. Alex. J. Thomson, in seconding the motion, said : 
 
 Mr. Cochrane has been associated so long and so inti- 
 mately mth the bar of this county, and identified with our 
 city and county ever since he achieved success and dis- 
 tinction, that it is fitting that we should join in that wide- 
 spread expression of sorrow for his loss and respect for 
 his memory, which his death has evoked. He was pecu- 
 liarly a Schenectady man. Early in life a resident in our 
 college, and later and until his death one of its trustees. 
 For several years an active member of our bar, our repre- 
 sentative for four years in congress, and always the friend 
 of our cit}' and of our citizens. Faithful to every trust, 
 his loss is the most severe, since it may never be supplied. 
 
 Hon. T. B. Mitchell said : 
 Mr. Chairman : 
 
 We have met here as members of the bar to do 
 honor to the memory of one of our most distinguished 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 45 
 
 associates. An honor that is justly due from us to 
 him since he is dead, and which in his life-time he 
 richly deserved. I was acquainted with him when he first 
 engaged in the struggle of our profession in Montgomery 
 county. He early achieved high rank in that county, and 
 his fame shortly spread in the adjoining counties. He 
 was always the true gentleman, the warm friend, the safe 
 counselor, and above all the true Christian. Early in life 
 he nnited with the church of which he remained till his 
 death a faithful and consistent member. I have been a 
 careful observer of his entire professional and official 
 career. He goes to his rest with his reputation untar- 
 nished. In the full maturity of his manhood he is 
 summoned to his eternal rest, prepared, I doubt not, by 
 his Christian life and practice. Let our prayers be that we 
 may so live that the last summons will find us also ready. 
 
 Mr. S. W. Jackson said : 
 
 He was not acquainted with Mr. Cochrane in his earlier 
 career, but his relations with him during the past few 
 years had been intimate and cordial, both in social and 
 professional life. He was a true man in every respect. 
 Kind to all, he was in the highest degree a friend to his 
 friend. His emotional qualities were of an extraordinary 
 character. He was eminently social with his brethren of 
 the bar, especially the younger members. He was a- self- 
 made man, and in that respect worthy of emulation. He 
 was a poor boy and fought the battle of life against the 
 obstacles of early poverty. From a teacher of a common 
 school, he rose to high professional eminence. Few men 
 in this part of the state, could compare with him as an 
 advocate. He did not seem to pay much attention to the 
 flowers of oratory ; his feelings controlled, and in giving 
 expression to them he became both eloquent and convinc- 
 ins:. I saw him after he was confined to his bed from 
 
46 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 which, alas ! he was not to rise. He was associated with 
 me in an important cause about to be tried. He had given 
 it much attention, and it was natural that he should yield 
 to my desire to have the case postponed. But he seepied 
 to have a presentiment of death, and said it was doubtful 
 whetlier he should ever be able to assist in the trial of that 
 cause. I could not realize it. But that presentiment was 
 soon to be fulfilled. It is sad when the great and good 
 die. It can be said of him, that he died in the full flush 
 of manhood. I take a melancholy pleasure in assenting 
 to the resolutions. 
 
 Hon. John Sanders spoke as follows : 
 3Ir. Chairman : 
 
 "When I first came here bowed in sadness, I had intended 
 to offer no words on this occasion ; but the expressions of 
 other sorrowing brethren seem to make it not inappro- 
 priate for me to say that I deeply feel that a mighty man 
 has fallen, rather has risen from our society, to the 
 associations of another and a brighter world, Mr. Chair- 
 man, Clark B. Cochrane Avas no ordinary citizen. I 
 cannot now review all the successes of his well-spent life, 
 ripe in honors and full of usefulness. But I can claim 
 for him that he was one of nature's noblemen. A self- 
 made man, who from the walks of comparative obscurity, 
 nobly struggled up the rugged pathway of life, until as 
 counselor, legislator, statesman, patriot, he had reached 
 the ladder steps of feme. 
 
 Sir, I repeat that a mighty man has left us, that we 
 shall not soon look upon his like again, I have admired 
 him since the first day of our acquaintance, and in that 
 feeling shared but a common sympathy with the masses 
 who knew him ; and I now on this solemn occasion care- 
 fully bear tribute that in the genial loveliness of his 
 private character as in the manliness of public life, our 
 
Memorial op Clark B. Cochrane. 47 
 
 deceased brother had few equals in the untiring and self- 
 sacrificing devotions of private friendship. I have myself, 
 under circumstances then deeply appreciated, felt his kindly 
 influences. I am for rendering the highest tribute in our 
 power to his virtues. This place owes much of affection 
 to his memory. Then, too, it is a lovely thought that our 
 friend was a humble Christian, and both living and dying 
 felt and knew that his Redeemer had risen in glory. We 
 can entertain no doubt that our friend has gone to a happy 
 immortality, and, therefore, feel the severity of our loss, 
 mitigated by this consolation. Sir, I knew Mr. Cochrane 
 to be a good man, a noble-hearted man, a trusty friend, 
 and dare, without the fear of contradiction, pay this ear- 
 nest offering to his memory : That in all his relations to 
 society, our departed friend, Clark B. Cochrane, was "one 
 of nature's noblest noblemen," and that we shall not soon 
 look upon his like again. 
 
 Mr. John L. Hill said : 
 
 For himself he felt that a warm personal friend had 
 been taken away from him, and from every younger mem- 
 ber of the profession. He knew of no eminent member 
 of the bar to whom the young and inexperienced might 
 so freely go for counsel and be so warmly and kindly 
 received as to Mr. Cochrane. He therefore felt that not 
 only those who had been his associates during his long 
 and distinguished career, but also the young men who are 
 looking hopefully into the future, sustained the heavy 
 shock of Mr. Cochrane's death. 
 
 The resolutions were then adopted. 
 
 A. C. Paige, Chairman. 
 
 J. S. Landon, Secretary. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ALBANY BAR. 
 
 i\.T a meeting of the Albany bar, held at the City Hall, on 
 the seventh of March, pursuant to public call, and for the 
 purpose of appointing representatives of the bar to attend, 
 at Amsterdam, the funeral ceremonies of the late Clark 
 B. Cochrane; and for the appointment of a committee 
 for arrangement for a subsequent meeting for a further 
 expression of respect for the deceased, Orlando Meads 
 was appointed chairman, and Messrs. J. M. Bailey and 
 J. B. Sturtevaut, secretaries. 
 
 On motion, the following named gentlemen were ap- 
 pointed as a delegation to attend the ceremonies at Amster- 
 dam : Amasa J. Parker, S. 0. Shepard, Henry Smith, 
 George Wolford, Wm. L. Learned, J. I. Werner, Isaac 
 Edwards, Paul F. Cooper, A. J. Colvin, A. B. Voorhees, 
 R. W. Peckham, Jr., Edward Wade, Joseph W. Russell, 
 Samuel Hand, J. B. Sanders, J. M. Bailey, Leonard Kip, 
 Thomas Hayes, W. Frothingham, John W. Maitice, James 
 Brice, Henry K Wickes, W. J. Hadley, W. C. McHarg, 
 W. B. Harris, S. F. Higgins, 0. M. Hungerford, J. C. 
 Cook, Jacob H. Clute, Dexter Reynolds, W. S. Eelly, 
 Isaac Lawson, John J. Olcott, Wm. Wait, Wm. G. Weed, 
 Deodatus Wright, W. H. Greene, J. B. Sturtevant, K C. 
 Moak, S. H. H. Parsons, S. L. Manning, Stephen Pad- 
 dock, H. S. McCall. 
 
 On motion, the following named gentlemen were ap- 
 pointed a committee for arrangement for and calling a 
 subsequent meeting of the bar : Deodatus Wright, Amasa 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 49 
 
 J. Parker, James B. Sanders, Lyman Tremain, Alexander 
 S. Johnson, and on forther motion, Orlando Meads was 
 added to such committee. And on motion, the meeting 
 adjourned to meet for attendance at the funeral ceremonies 
 of this city at 12 m. 
 
 O. Meads, Chairman. 
 J. M. Bailey, 
 
 J. B. Sturtevant, ^ Secretaries 
 
 The committee appointed to make arrangements for a 
 meeting of the Albany bar to testify their respect for their 
 professional brother, Clark B. Cochrane, deceased, fixed 
 upon Saturday, the 16th inst., for the meeting, at the 
 common council room in the City Hall, at eleven o'clock, 
 
 A. M. 
 
 The committee invited their professional brethren in 
 neighboring counties to attend the meeting, and unite in 
 a testimonial of respect for the deceased. 
 
 The common council chamber was filled on the morn- 
 ing of the 16th with the members of the bar of this city to 
 give expression to their regret at the death of Hon. Clark 
 B. Cochrane. There were gentlemen present from Troy, 
 Schenectady, l^ew York and elsewhere. Indeed, it was 
 the largest convocation of members of the profession ever 
 held in this city. 
 
 The Hon. Kufus W. Peckham was appointed chairman, 
 and W. C. McHarg and Leonard Kip were appointed 
 secretaries. 
 
 On motion of Hon. Deodatus Wright, the following 
 resolutions were adopted : * 
 
 Jxcsohed, That the death of Clark B. Cochrane, an emi- 
 7 
 
50 Memorial of Clakk B. Cochrane. 
 
 nent member of tlie Albany bar, has caused a profound 
 sensation of sadness and emotions of deep and unaffected 
 regret, not limited to his professional brethren, but extend- 
 ing throughout the community, and pervading the minds 
 ofall. 
 
 Eesolved, That among those whose loss we have hereto- 
 fore been called upon to deplore, few indeed, have been as 
 successful in securing universal esteem and respect, as our 
 deceased friend. Of few could it be more truly affirmed: 
 
 '■ None knew hiiu but to love liim, 
 None named him but to praise." 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Cochrane was indebted for his emi- 
 nent success in winning the good will and respect of his 
 fellow-men to a degree rarely attained, by the possession 
 of a brilliant intellect, and the impulses of a warm and 
 generous heart. Guided by these combined influences, 
 he was enabled to pass through the exciting conflicts 
 unavoidably incident to professional and political life, and 
 to attain a proud and lofty eminence in both, without 
 leaving a single enemy to survive him. 
 
 Resolved, That while contemplating such a character, 
 and such a success, there is cause of mourning for his 
 departure ; there is also cause for rejoicing at the bright 
 and noble record which he leaves behind him. 
 
 Resolved, That the secretaries of this meeting transmit 
 a copy of these resolutions to the only surviving member 
 of Mr. Cochrane 's family. 
 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain addressed the meeting as follows: 
 Mr. Chairman, and Brethren of the Legal Profession : 
 
 Although, upon this sad occasion, the grief-stricken 
 heart would prefer an attitude of mournful silence, yet 
 a sense of public duty induces me to speak a few words 
 in honor of the memory of my beloved personal friend. 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 51 
 
 and our accomplislied professional brother, over whose 
 honored remains the grave has recently closed. These 
 funereal meetings of our profession have occurred of late 
 with unwonted and startling frequency. While the late 
 civil war was producing its fearful and ruinous destruction 
 of human life throughout our countrj^, we were often 
 called together as we learned that one after another of our 
 patriotic brethren had offered his life upon the altar of our 
 country. On nearly every occasion of this character, we 
 remember, with grateful satisfaction, that our deceased 
 friend honored the meeting with his presence. The voice 
 of Clark B. Cochrane was ever heard among the first to 
 vindicate the memory of the honored dead, his eloquent 
 utterances were ever ready to do justice to the virtue, the 
 patriotism and the merits of the deceased, and his tender 
 sympathies were employed to pour words of healing and 
 comfort into the bleeding wounds of surviving relatives 
 and friends. 'Now that he, who was our acknowledged 
 leader in the execution of these melancholy duties, lies in 
 the cold embrace of death, and that those lips to whose 
 pathetic strains we were accustomed to listen with interest 
 and delight will forever remain mute and voiceless in the 
 grave, who is there among us that feels competent to 
 perform, for him, the office which he has so often and so 
 faithfull}^ discharged for others ? Alas ! the blow is too 
 stunning, the bereavement too fresh, the opportunity too 
 limited to allow us to indulge the hope that any thing 
 more can be accomplished on this day than to present a 
 few outline sketches of a subject which, in the hands of a 
 master, and with the more ample materials that time and 
 opportunity would allow to be gathered, is capable of 
 being developed into a full, harmonious and noble picture 
 of one of the most gifted men of his day. 
 
 The heart of our cit^Hias been touched, as it has been 
 rarel}^ touched before. The mournful expressions of coun- 
 
52 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 tenaiice, the tearful eyes, and the universal feelings of 
 s^-mpathy, attest the fact that no ordinary calamity has 
 befallen us. These reveal the conviction that one of our 
 most brilliant, eloquent, ])Opiilar and valuable citizens has 
 been stricken down while he was in the very zenith of his 
 manhood, and in the mid career of his usefulness and 
 fame. Clark B. Cochrane would have been eminent in 
 any age or country. But our own institutions were best 
 adapted to the growth and development of his moral and 
 intellectual nature. lie was reared amid the hills and 
 mountains of New England, where he acquired that in- 
 tense love for the grand and beautiful scenery of nature, 
 which characterized him through life, and upon which he 
 was accustomed to converse in terms of rapturous admira- 
 tion. But more than this, it was here that he inherited 
 those lessons of freedom, justice and the rights of man, 
 and acquired that hatred of oppression, wrong and fraud, 
 which were so nobly illustrated in his subsequent career 
 as a citizen, a lawyer and a legislator. 
 
 Having finished his collegiate course, he entered upon 
 his professional career in the county of Montgomery, in 
 this state, Avhere he soon obtained marked distinction. 
 Like many of our professional brethren practicing law in 
 the country, jSIr. Cochrane took an early and active part 
 in political affairs, and nearly a quarter of a century has 
 elapsed since he appeared npon the stage of public life as 
 member of assembly from Montgomery county. In this 
 position he acquitted himself with credit and honor. He 
 was afterwards twice elected from the congressional dis- 
 trict where he then resided as member of Congress. And 
 in all these public trusts, he retained the continued and 
 ever increasing confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 He was a representative in Congress during the stormy 
 period which immediately preceded the breaking out of 
 the rebellion, and participated actively, in upholding the 
 
Memorial op Clark B. Cochrane. 53 
 
 national authority. He foresaw the coming storm, and 
 the turbulent scenes through which he passed in his ofH- 
 cial career, united with impaired health, produced such an 
 effect upon his sensitive nature, as to result in a serious 
 illness, from the effects of which there is too much reason 
 to believe he never entirely recovered. 
 
 In the mean time his great popularity, united with 
 forensic ability of the highest order, had combined to 
 give him an elevated position at the bar. When, there- 
 fore, at the conclusion of his congressional career, he 
 became a member of the eminent legal firm in this city, 
 with which he continued until his death, he at once 
 assumed, gracefully, and by common consent, that position 
 in the front ranks of the profession, which he continued to 
 hold while he lived. His last official position was that of 
 member of assembly from this city in 1866. How nobly 
 and faithfully he devoted himself to the interests of his 
 constituents we all know full well. He was an acknow- 
 ledged leader in a body containing an unusual number of 
 able and experienced statesmen. His great experience, 
 his persuasive eloquence, his popular manners, and his 
 conciliatory and winning address, gave him extraordinary 
 influence, and all that any man could do, was accom- 
 plished b}' him to promote the interests of his constituents, 
 and the welfare of the state. 
 
 While Mr. Cochrane was firm and decided in his 
 political views, yet his partisanship was so harmoniously 
 blended with the broadest charit}-, and with great" gentle- 
 ness of demeanor, as to disarm personal opposition, and 
 at the same time, inspire universal confidence in the 
 sincerity and integrity of his convictions. Although he 
 was not destitute of ambition, yet his ambition was of that 
 laudable character, which prompted him to seek the union 
 of his name with the permanent growth, happiness and 
 prosperity of his state and the nation. The last interview 
 
54 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 I had with Mm was during his iUness, but before he had 
 come to entertain any serious apprehensions concerning its 
 result. Among other topics of friendly conversation, his 
 mind reverted to the subject of the approaching constitu- 
 tional convention, in which he expressed great interest. 
 There were a few essential reforms which he desired to see 
 inaugurated, but he distrusted the power of any one politi- 
 cal party to cany tliem through against a combined oppo- 
 sition, and hence, he wished to see the leading men of all 
 parties agree upon these reforms in the convention, and 
 thus relieve them of an}' political aspect. Those hopes, 
 which might well have been entertained, that in the great 
 work of framing a new constitution, the people of the state 
 would be permitted to avail themselves of the ripe experi- 
 ence, the great talents and exalted patriotism of Mr. Coch- 
 rane are now forever extinguished. 
 
 As an orator in the truest sense of that term ; as a 
 speaker possessing the power to move and influence a 
 popular assembly or a jury, our deceased friend possessed 
 few equals in this country. He spoke with an earnestness 
 that commanded respect, and he possessed an extraordi- 
 nary facility in placing himself, as it were, in electrical 
 communication ^vith the hearts of the auditors whom he 
 desired to control. His own sense of justice was at once 
 keen and enlightened, while his personal integrity was of 
 the highest order. 
 
 As an advocate at the bar, when the merits of the case 
 were on his side he was absolutely irresistible, and woe to 
 the unfortunate adversary whose overreaching, injustice, 
 fraud or intentional misconduct became the subject of Mr. 
 Cochrane's scathing exposures, and animadversion. His 
 conscientious convictions, at the same time were so 
 strong, that those who knew him well could not fail to 
 discover his own real want of confidence whenever the full 
 development of the case I'evealed the fact that his client 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 55 
 
 was in the wrong. He was no fomenter of strife, and 
 many were the controversies which were amicably adjusted 
 by his active interference and influence. Such was his 
 tendency to concihation and compromise, that among his 
 legislative companions he received the honorable title of 
 the Pacificator. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane adorned all the relations of life, and 
 proved himself a kind husband and affectionate father, a 
 devoted son, an honorable lawyer, and an exemplary and 
 public-spirited citizen. 
 
 It was, however, as a social companion that he shone as 
 a star of the first magnitude; possessing a rich fund of 
 anecdote, with a keen sense of the ludicrous, and a charm- 
 ing relish for innocent enjoyment, he was at once the life 
 and the idol of the social circle. Those festive occasions 
 on which he has "set the table in a roar" and the scintilla- 
 tions of his genius and wit have produced exquisite emo- 
 tions of delight and admiration, will never be forgotten by 
 his favored auditors, nor is it probable that in these inimi- 
 table qualities, we shall ever look upon his like again. 
 Indeed he was the very embodiment of mirthfulness and 
 genial good nature. 
 
 How difficult to believe that the brilliant flashes of his 
 intellect will no more be witnessed on earth ! How hard 
 to realize that the melodious tones of his eloquent voice 
 will be no more heard, nor his animated face and pleasant 
 smile seen within these walls, the scene of so many of his 
 noblest efforts and proudest triumphs ! 
 
 When such a man dies at the age of fifty-one years, the 
 event may truly be regarded as a great public calamity. 
 It is a loss to the community with which he was identified, 
 and to the city in the welfare and prosperity of which he 
 was deeply interested. It is a loss to the large class of 
 clients and suitors who were accustomed to rely upon his 
 prudence, wisdom, and learning, for instruction and gui- 
 
56 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 dance. It is a loss to the state, the people of which had 
 reason to hope that they might hereafter avail them- 
 selves of his great abilities and valuable services, in more 
 extended fields of usefulness than any he had previously 
 occupied. It is especially a loss to the noble profession of 
 which he was an eminent and honored member. Who- 
 ever, like Mr. Cochrane, becomes a great lawyer by means 
 of his industry, genius, talents and learning, reflects honor 
 upon his profession, and its members become naturally 
 interested in his name and fame. We all recognize the 
 fact that one of the great and shining lights of our profes- 
 sion has gone out forever. We realize deeply the truth 
 that we have suflered a loss which we can illy afford, and 
 that a void has been created in our ranks that can never 
 be fully supplied. 
 
 Such w^as the great and good man for whom we mourn 
 this day. While we bring our offerings of friendship and 
 sympathy to his grave, it becomes us to bow reverently, 
 in humble submission to the decree of the all- wise judge, 
 by whom this event was ordained. The dispensation 
 which removed him from earth may seem to our limited 
 vision hard and severe, while the reasons which produced 
 it, may not be apparent to human intelligence. Recogniz- 
 ing, however, in our great affliction, the hand of Him who 
 " doeth all things well " we may indulge the comforting 
 assurance that our loss is the eternal gain of our departed 
 friend and brother. 
 
 Remarks of Hon. Amasa J. Parker : 
 
 31r. Chaiiinan: 
 
 The gatherings of the bar, on sad occasions like the 
 present, are instructive to the living as well as commemo- 
 rative of the virtues of the dead. They change the scene 
 from the contests to the sympathies of life. They soften 
 the heart to the gentler influences of our nature, and 
 
Memorial op Clark B. CocHRAisrE. 57 
 
 teach us forbearance, and tend largely to the cultivation of 
 that courtesy between brethren which contributes so much 
 to lighten the toils of a laborious profession. 
 
 In the dispensations of Providence, these lessons have 
 been, within the last few years impressively frequent. 
 We have been called to mourn for those w,ho fell in 
 defense of the nation's flag upon the field of glory — for 
 those who have filled the measure of professional useful- 
 ness at home — for others midway on their hoped for 
 professional career, and for some just entering upon its 
 threshold. We have lost many whom we had loved and 
 honored ; but around the bier of none of them have our 
 brethren gathered with grief more heartfelt than that 
 which now oppresses those who mourn the death of Clark 
 B. Cochrane. We meet to do honor to his memory, not 
 in the discharge of a mere formal duty, but moved by a 
 common impulse, under a deep and universal sentiment 
 of sorrow, and with a keen conviction of the loss we have 
 sustained and of the love we bore him. 
 
 I have studied the character of Mr. Cochrane from dif- 
 ferent stand-points; and whether viewed from the bench, 
 with the advantages of the impartiality of judgment which 
 belongs to that position, or from the bar, while engaged 
 in the heat of professional strife, or in the more intimate 
 relation of associate counsel, the same conclusion was 
 irresistible, which awarded him eminent and characteristic 
 qualities of mind and heart. 
 
 Though his learning and ability would have secured 
 him respect and success in any professional field and 
 before any judicial tribunal, yet his true forum was before 
 a jury and at the circuit. Ko one of our brethren, whose 
 fortune it has been to meet him in a professional contest, 
 could have left the encounter without having been im- 
 pressed with a sense of his power. The evident sincerity 
 of his convictions, the earnestness of his advocacy, the 
 
58 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 expression of his features so truly representing the senti- 
 ments which inspired him ; the musical cadence of his 
 voice, tempered by the kindness of his nature, and his 
 skill in the presentation of his case all combined, exerted 
 a magnetic influence over the jury that secured their 
 attention and won their confidence. While he never 
 undervalued the learning of the books, he had studied, 
 with eminent success, the great volume of human nature 
 stored in the heart of man. He had learned that the 
 moral sense may be successfully appealed to as an aid if 
 not a guide to the judgment in seeking after truth and 
 in determining the controversies between men ; and he 
 appealed to it, in the full confidence that God designed it 
 as a light to direct our steps in threading the sometimes 
 tortuous paths that lead to justice. 
 
 The sympathies of his nature were warm, tender and 
 enthusiastic. In pleading for an injured client, in urging 
 the justice of remunerative redress or in struggling to 
 resist an apprehended wrong, he felt keenly and of 
 course spoke earnestly and efltectively. I^o one can speak 
 eloquently who does not feel deeply. To the warmth of 
 his own heart and the kindness of his own nature, lie was 
 largely indebted for the power he wielded over those he 
 addressed. 
 
 As an advocate, he was able, earnest and eloquent. 
 But he neither wounded by his satire nor stung by his 
 wit. His abundant good nature seemed always to predo- 
 minate, and left nothing personal for his adversary to 
 resent. 
 
 It was for his bearing as a manly and courteous oppo- 
 nent that I particularly admired him. Though he was 
 ardent and urgent in the presentation of his own views 
 and in trying to refute the arguments of his adversary, 
 I never knew him to forget the gentlemanly courtesy 
 which is due to an opponent. He respected always that 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 59 
 
 well-establislaed rule, applicable as well to the bar as to a 
 parliamentaiy bodj', wbicli forbids tlie questioning of the 
 motives or sincerity of an adversary, while it leaves his 
 arguments open to the severest criticism. I never knew 
 him to say any thing in the warmth of debate which left 
 a wound in the breast of a professional brother. , 
 
 The labors of a circuit lawyer in full practice are by 
 far the greatest and the most trjnng to the temper of any 
 which devolve upon us. The physical exhaustion conse- 
 quent upon protracted trials, in a crowded court room, 
 too often badly ventilated, is apt to render counsel occa- 
 sionally, if not habitually irritable. Our deceased friend 
 yielded to no such infirmity. He preserved to the last 
 that cheerful and pleasant temper which contributes so 
 much to the comfort of others. 
 
 But while, as a lawyer, he was an example so well 
 worthy of imitation, it is with reference to his social 
 qualities, that we cling to his memory most fondly. Who 
 can forget his pleasant smile and merry laugh, the warmth 
 of his salutation and the abundant evidences of his genial 
 and generous spirit? Who can forget how the circle of 
 his brethren gathered around him to listen, with infinite 
 zest, to his amusing anecdotes abounding with wit and 
 humor? How he made all happy about him, relieved 
 them, for the time, from the weight of professional cares 
 and added to the sum of human enjoyment, if not to the 
 time of human existence. We would not if we could, 
 lose those pleasant memories of our departed friend ; nay, 
 we will cherish and preserve them. 
 
 We will cast upon his coffin the evergreen sprig of 
 friendship. AYe will decorate his grave with the choicest 
 flowers of affection, we will cherish his memory with 
 fraternal resrard. 
 
 "S' 
 
 " Elicu J /u(/ace.s laJmntur mini." 
 
60 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 The years fly rapidly by and will soon bring each one 
 of us to his final destiny. Happy will he be who, like 
 him we mourn, 
 
 '■'■Integer vise scelerisque purus" 
 
 can look back upon the record of a well-spent life. 
 
 Happy will he be who, like our departed friend, shall, 
 in his last hours, see the stormy billows of life subside 
 around him, into the calm, smooth sea, its surface undis- 
 turbed by a single ripple, reflecting only its own mirrored 
 brightness upon the clear blue sky of eternity. 
 
 Mr. S. 0. Shepard spoke as follows : 
 31r. Chairman: 
 
 These mournful convocations of our brethren of the bar 
 have of late become fearfully frequent. Within the period 
 of a few fleeting months have the members of this bar 
 been repeatedly called together to testify their respect for 
 those whose loss they have been called to mourn. ]\Iany 
 faces, once familiar, are this day absent, many voices 
 which we loved to hear, silent. Death, with unsparing 
 hand, has stricken from the roll of our profession the 
 names of many of its most loved and honored members. 
 Reynolds, and Hill, and Benedict, and Jackson, and 
 Strong, and Allen, have within a few score months, sue 
 cessively ^-ielded obedience to the stern summons, and 
 stepped forth from the ranks of busy life, leaving behind 
 them wide unfilled gaps to remind us, not only of the loss 
 which we have sustained, but to remind us also, that our 
 lives are only held by the same frail tenure. One by one 
 have they dropped from the tree of life into the silent 
 earth, some in the early bloom of youth, some in their full 
 maturity, and some withered and shriveled by the frosts 
 of age. 
 
 Some, worn with the burdens of life, body and brain, 
 
Memorial op Clark B. Cochrane. 61 
 
 alike overtasked with the exacting demands of a laborious 
 profession, have sunk quietly to rest amid the familiar 
 scenes of their professional toils and their professional 
 triumphs; others, summoned by the call of duty, have 
 fallen beneath the contagion of the camp, upon the soil of 
 distant states ; some have wasted slowly away from the 
 effects of the hardship, fatigue and exposure, incident to 
 the life of a soldier ; others have fallen gloriously upon 
 the battle -field, in the great struggle of our country, 
 leaving behind them a record glowing with all that is 
 grand in life, and patriotic in purpose. 
 
 And now, death has again invaded the ranks of our 
 profession. Another of our brethren has fallen — Clark 
 B. Cochrane — a name, the mention of which, stirred 
 always within our hearts pleasant sunny memories, but 
 which to-day stirs also to its lowest depths the fountain 
 of our tears. 
 
 Of the early history of our lamented brother, I know 
 nothing, save what I have this day heard uttered in 
 words of kindl}^ eulogy, l^or is it necessary. The few 
 later years of his life which have been spent among us, 
 have revealed to us enough of the man, enough for us 
 to love, enough for us to admire, enough for us to 
 imitate, and full enough to excite our sincerest sorrow 
 for his loss. 
 
 A true-hearted, earnest man, an exemplary citizen, an 
 accomplished lawyer, and an eloquent advocate has been 
 taken from our midst, in the full maturity of his man- 
 hood and in the very meridian of his usefulness. 
 
 To analyze a character like that possessed by Clark B. 
 Cochrane, would be but a thankless and a useless effort. 
 The component parts of that character in their grand 
 simplicity were too obvious even to a careless observer 
 to require more than a passing mention, to secure their 
 recognition by his friends. 
 
62 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 There was indeed about him, an absence of all that 
 was specious or artificial — a transparency, through which 
 the true Ufe of the inner man shone unobstructed, chal- 
 lenging the scrutiny and constraining the confidence of 
 men. 
 
 Death, it is true, although pictured with icy fingers, not 
 unfrequently so palliates the foibles and exaggerates the 
 virtues of the dead, as to surround them with a halo 
 brio'hter and warmer than that which adorned the livino-. 
 But not thus has he dealt with our dead friend. For, 
 were we to say of Clark B. Cochrane, that he was a 
 gentleman by instinct, simple and direct in purpose, 
 courteous in address, manly in bearing, generous in his 
 impulses, ardent in temperament, warm of heart and 
 firm in friendship, it would only be to portray those 
 prominent features of his character, the existence of 
 which would be at once recognized by all to whom he 
 was known. His friends w^re countless, enemies he had 
 none. 
 
 Whether in his domestic or social relations, as a coun- 
 selor, as a legislator for the state, or for the nation, from 
 whatever stand-point we contemplate our friend, we read- 
 ily detect the lineaments of that true manhood for which 
 he was distinguished, and find Clark B. Cochrane always 
 true to himself and true to his convictions of moral right. 
 
 As a lawyer, and especially a nisi prius lawyer, there 
 were but few who were his equals, fewer still who were 
 his superiors. Well-grounded in the principles of law, 
 he enlisted in the application of those principles a prac- 
 ticed, vigorous and discriminating intellect, fluency of 
 expression, and an eloquence which was always earnest, 
 often irresistably impassioned. Indeed his rare power 
 as an advocate, wielded by a nature so earnest and enthu- 
 siastic, not unfrequently commanded for the cause in 
 which he was engaged a consideration from a jury more 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 63 
 
 respectful .than that to which upon its merits it was per- 
 haps justly entitled. 
 
 Identifying himself, as his temperament compelled him 
 to do, with the interests and the anxieties of his client, he 
 made each case in which he was engaged his own, and 
 cast himself with all of his energies, mental and physical, 
 into the conflict, with an utter abandonment of all that 
 was selfish or mercenary. The success of his client was 
 his reward, and especially so when that success was the 
 legal triumph of moral right. 
 
 When, with such qualities of mind and temperament, 
 were combined a habit of patient persevering industry, 
 careful mastery of detail and manly vigor of purpose, 
 we cease to wonder that Clark B. Cochrane successfully 
 attained, and securely occupied so proud a position at the 
 bar; a position always cautiously conceded, and only to 
 those whose intellectual supremacy fairly entitles them 
 to demand it. But, suddenly* in the midst of his pro- 
 fessional career, when apparently thoroughly trained and 
 fitly accoutered for the contests of life, our brother is 
 summoned to put ofi" his armor, and to withdraw from 
 the battle. In our erring judgment other men might 
 better have been spared. But in the unerring judgment 
 of Him in whose hands are the issues of life, the mission 
 of Clark B. Cochrane upon earth was fully accomplished. 
 
 We shall hear his voice no more in the halls frequented 
 by our profession, nor listen to his kindly tribute of 
 respect in assemblies gathered like this to commemorate 
 the departed. 
 
 Sadl}^, very sadly, does memory revert to an occasion 
 like the present, when we, my brethren, were assembled 
 in this very hall only some few score months since, to 
 listen with mournful interest to the words of well-timed 
 eulogy then uttered by Clark B. Cochrane, over Us de- 
 parted friend, Col. William A. Jackson. JSTow, in the 
 
64 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 great march of liumanity onward, Clark B. Cochrane 
 has reached Jiis resting place. That earnest eulogist has 
 become the subject of eulogy. The lips of the eloquent 
 counselor are hushed in death. His manly form now 
 reposes in " that fearful length " rigid and stark, in yon- 
 der village cemetery; passionless, unimpressiblc, cold as the 
 earth by which it is surrounded ; and the loved and gifted 
 occupant of that poor mouldering tenement, has in his 
 turn, drifted out from the shores of time into the great 
 future, upon the remorseless ebb of that tide, whose flood 
 never again will return the barque to her former moorings. 
 
 "We shall see his face no more upon the earth, for he 
 cannot come to us, though some of us perchance may go to 
 him. We turned away forever from his earthly remains, 
 when retracing our steps we left him in his lonely grave. 
 But the flowers of spring will bloom in early beauty over 
 that grave, I doubt not, for warm tears like summer-rain, 
 have moistened well its frost-bound clods. 
 
 He leaves behind him saddened hearts; he leaves behind 
 him tearful eyes. But thank God, he leaves behind 
 liim a stainless name, an integrity unspotted by suspicion, 
 a professional reputation, brilliant and enviable, and a 
 memory fragrant with all that dignifies and adorns our 
 humanity. 
 
 Hon. Alonzo C. Paige said : 
 Mr. Chairman: 
 
 My acquaintance with Clark B. Cochrane commenced 
 before he became a member of the Albany bar. I first 
 knew him in 1847, when he was in full practice in the 
 county of Montgomery. 
 
 It is very seldom, sir, that we are call^ together to 
 pay our tribute of respect to the memory of one who was 
 so generally beloved while living, and so universally 
 lamented being dead, as our distinguished friend and 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 65 
 
 brother, Clark B. Coclirane. He was one of those few- 
 choice spirits, who, by the graces of his mind, and heart 
 and disposition, and manners, secured and retained the 
 affection of his professional brethren. He was benevolent, 
 and kindly, and joj-ous, and courteous; unselfish and un- 
 pretending, without arrogance and without guile. Ingenu- 
 ous and magnanimous by nature and by cultivation, he 
 abhorred dissimulation, and practiced systematically the 
 most generous forbearance in respect to the unfriendly 
 aggressions of others. So frank and artless was his 
 nature, so inexpert in concealment was he, that upon his 
 face was written the unspoken thoughts and feelings of his 
 soul. Honor, integrity and truth shone with surpassing 
 lustre as gems in the coronet of his virtues. Quick in 
 his conceptions, and fluent in his use of language, his 
 conversation sparkled with wit and repartee ; but he never 
 indulged in satire or acrimony. With a temper, I may 
 say, always unruffled, and a heart overflowing with benig- 
 nity and good humor, he was the life and charm of the 
 social circle. He had an acute sense and quick percep- 
 tion of the ludicrous and ridiculous, which his preeminent 
 power of lively and graphic description enabled him to 
 fill up the brief hour's respite from the exhaustive labors 
 of his profession, with innocent hilarity. His narration 
 of an anecdote was inimitable, the relation and the accom- 
 panying action always called forth a merriment which 
 was irrepressible. Deeply and how sadly are impressed 
 upon my memory these joyous eftusions of our happy, 
 genial and kindly brother, in which he indulged to relax 
 a severely taxed mind, and to contribute to the enjoyment 
 of his friends. His sunny temper communicated its 
 brightness to all around and near him. There was a 
 salubrity in the moral atmosphere which surrounded him, 
 healthful to all who came within its influence. There 
 was no frivolity in his manners or conversation. His 
 9 
 
66 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 thoughts could be and were serious and grave, whenever 
 occasion demanded it. I have said enough, Mr. Chairman, 
 ah'eady to show that a great void has been created in 
 our profession and in the social circle, by the untimely 
 death of our lamented friend. 
 
 We all feel that his loss is irreparable — our sorrow is 
 profound. I am not able to present a true idea of that 
 agony of grief we all felt when the news reached us that 
 death had sundered those golden threads of affection, 
 which he had wound around our hearts. Our prayer 
 should be that when the hour-glass of our lives shall have 
 dropped its last particle of sand, and we shall have been 
 transferred to the world which our departed friend now 
 inhabits, that we may all be vouchsafed a happy reunion 
 with him in the mansions of the blest. 
 
 I am able, Mr. Chairman, from personal knowledge 
 to speak of the intellectual gifts and attainments of Clark 
 B. Cochrane, and of his moral and religious qualities. 
 For several years after he removed from Montgomery 
 to Schenectady, we occupied adjoining offices in the same 
 building, and we were associate trustees of a literary insti- 
 tution of which he was an alumnus. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane intellectually and professionally was no 
 common man. By his persevering application he became 
 a ripe juridical scholar, and by his devotion to literature 
 and his study of forensic oratory, he was enabled to shine 
 as an eloquent advocate. He was scholarly in his classi- 
 cal and literary acquirements and familiar with the purest 
 models of composition in the English language, and espe- 
 cially with the finest examples of judicial and forensic 
 eloquence to be found in the annals of the English and 
 American courts. • 
 
 His ambition aimed at the attainment of the loftiest 
 objects of the profession. He had accomplished a high 
 degree of excellence in both departments of professional 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 67 
 
 duty; iu tlie argument of questions of law to the bench, 
 and in an address to the jury upon controverted questions 
 of fact. His addresses to the jury were earnest, animated, 
 persuasive and effective. He possessed the magnetic 
 power of enlisting in behalf of his client the sympathies 
 of the jury and of inspiring them with his own ardent 
 zeal and enthusiasm. He possessed the faculty of enliven- 
 ing the dullness of a judicial trial by the sallies of his 
 wit, and the outflowing of his good humor which never 
 failed him. He tried his cases at the circuit with uncom- 
 mon skill. He made the amplest preparations ; and with 
 his cultivated judgment and trained sagacity, he was ena- 
 bled so skillfully to put in his evidence, marshal his facts 
 and apply his principles of law as to secure for his case 
 the most favorable impression, and to place his adversary 
 at a great and generally fatal disadvantage. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane was a model of professional courtesy, 
 which always springs from a benevolent heart. He was 
 especially generous to a young adversary, frequently inter- 
 posing a compliment to encourage him, and always giving 
 him the full benefit of his objections and points, although 
 imperfectly presented. 
 
 To his professional and intellectual attainments he 
 added high moral and religious qualities. He acted upon 
 the principle, that the richest treasures of the mind were 
 powerless for good without the nobler qualities of the 
 soul. His aim was the highest degree of moral excellence. 
 His life enforced the truth "that to attain excellence in 
 the law, the student must excel in virtue and grow fami- 
 liar day by day with the conception of Deity himself." 
 My young professional friends, I cannot recommend to you 
 a more beautiful model for imitation than that of our 
 departed friend, whose loss we now deplore. He feared 
 God and loved his neighbor. Let us cherish his memory 
 and endeavor to imitate his example. 
 
68 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Remarks of Mr. Rufus W. Peckham, Jr. : 
 
 I rise, Mr. Chairman, with a very great deal of hesita- 
 tion, to say a few words upon the subject which has 
 brought us together, after having heard the eminent men 
 who were the companions and friends of Mr. Cochrane, 
 dwell so eloquently upon his qualities of mind and heart. 
 Yet, when an acknowledged leader of the bar has fallen, 
 it seems appropriate that all the members of a profession 
 which the deceased honored in his life-time, should gather 
 around his remains, to recall his virtues, that we may all 
 profit by his example, and pay a fitting tribute of respect 
 to his memor}^ Those surviving and eminent members 
 of our profession, who are now to be found in the same 
 front rank once occupied by the deceased, have already 
 paid that honor and respect to their departed brother, 
 which his life so strongly called for. I have listened 
 with great interest and pleasure while they dwelt with 
 eloquence and in appropriate and truthful language, upon 
 the legal attainments, the masculine mind, the generous 
 character of the lamented dead. Upon those high mental 
 qualities, I do not propose to dwell long. Those who 
 have preceded me, his intimates and companions, have 
 done them the justice they deserve. It is as one of the 
 junior members of this bar, that I wish to say a few 
 words upon those qualities of heart, that generosity of 
 nature, that native kindliness of disposition which made 
 bim so many and such warm friends. • I was not fortu- 
 nate enough to enjoy the intimate friendship of Mr. Coch- 
 rane. The difference in our years was perhaps too great 
 for that. When I was admitted to the bar, he had been 
 engaged in the active and successful practice of his pro- 
 fession for many years, and had already reached that first 
 place in its ranks which he retained until his death; yet, 
 living in the same city, it was my good fortune to see 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 69 
 
 him almost daily, to meet him frequently in social life, 
 and, upon some few occasions, at the bar. In this way, 
 I acquired some opportunities of observing his general 
 character and disposition, and it is of those that I would 
 principally speak. 
 
 Snatched suddenly from us, while his honest and manly 
 voice is yet ringing in our ears, we are scarcely able to 
 realize our loss. Scarcely do we yet appreciate the fact 
 that we shall see him no more forever. Scarcely can we 
 yet convince ourselves that he, who but a few short 
 weeks ago was among us full of life, and those impulses 
 of his warm and generous heart, has gone from us never 
 more to return. Hard it is for us to believe that between 
 him and ourselves lies the gulf that rolls between the 
 living and the dead. 
 
 But alas, it is true. Clark B. Cochrane is dead ! dead, 
 in the full vigor of his manly intellect ! dead, in the very 
 prime of his life ! dead, before the enfeebling touch of 
 time had withered up his frame ! dead, while life was 
 yet full of sweetness and pleasure to him ! In giving 
 evidence of our warm appreciation of his character,^ we 
 do honor to ourselves. 
 
 Mr. Cochrane had been engaged in the practice of his 
 profession for about thirty years, yet such was ever his 
 treatment of his brethren of the bar, and especially of its 
 junior members, that now when he has been taken from 
 us, I venture the remark, that not one of them all has 
 any but the kindest and most pleasant recollections of 
 him. I do not believe that there are among the junior 
 members, any who had the good fortune to come in contact 
 with him, who can now recall a single instance of that 
 assumption, arrogance, or ungenerous behavior, which a 
 senior at the bar is sometimes apt to display towards a 
 much younger member. Although in the conduct of a 
 cause he had most decided views in regard to it, and was 
 
70 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 uot apt lightly to give up or alter his opinion, yet his 
 manner at all times, both to the bench, the bar, and 
 especially its younger members, was uniformly courte- 
 ous and kind. I^o one could enjoy even a slight acquaint- 
 ance with Mr. Cochrane, no one could see him in social 
 intercourse when momentaril}^ free from the cares and 
 perplexities necessarily incident to the extensive practice 
 of an absorbing and engrossing profession, without feel- 
 ing an instinctive desire to know him better, and a full 
 confidence that those outward signs surrounding him, 
 were but the index of a generous and warm heart. His 
 pleasant and genial manners we shall never forget. They 
 were natural and native to the man, not assumed from 
 any motives of policy or to conceal any of the workings of 
 his heart. It required but a short acquaintance with him 
 to feel that those manners were but the natural exponents 
 of a generous and manly nature. Of his professional life, 
 we all know with what an absorbing interest he devoted 
 himself to it. Although he brought to the examination 
 of questions of law, a fine intellect, trained and invigorated 
 by habits of long continued study and patient thought, 
 yet after all, that was not the form in which he delighted 
 to use the powers of his vigorous mind. He was in his 
 element when before a jury he had the opportunity of 
 launching out upon the broad merits of his case, untram- 
 meled by precedent, and free from technical objections 
 and small points. Before that tribunal, when appealing 
 to them in behalf of a cause he thought just, he brought 
 into use all the powers of his mind, all the strength of 
 his generous and manly nature. To combat fraud, to 
 rebuke cunning, to expose dishonesty, to hold up the 
 cause of the weak ; in fine to battle for the right as against 
 the wrong, brought out all his strength, and upon such 
 occasions, and for such ends, he was truly eloquent. 
 Pathos, supplication, invective, satire, irony, all were at 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 71 
 
 his commancl, and upon occasion flowed from his lips in 
 tones sweet and gentle as the murmuring brook, or fierce 
 and impetuous as the mountain torrent. To feel that 
 he was the champion before the jury of a weak but 
 righteous cause, that it was to him that his client looked 
 for a vindication of a character unjustly aspersed, or for 
 the redress of an injury too long delayed, brought out 
 all the generous sympathy of his heart, all the resources 
 of his active and powerful nature. He pleaded for the 
 cause of his client with an ardor and devotion, which no 
 hope of self-advantage ever could evoke, and enjoyed with 
 a pure enjoyment the success of his efforts. 
 
 Such a man, enthusiastic by nature, impulsively gene- 
 rous, constitutionally active, would almost necessarily 
 mingle in the political world. We accordingly find him 
 taking sides in politics, and an ardent republican from 
 principle. A member of the republican party from its 
 organization, he early took the position in its ranks, to 
 which his talents entitled him. Believing his party to be 
 right in principle, he labored zealously and actively for 
 its success. Yet here again we find the evidence of his 
 generous and kindly nature. If there be any field favor- 
 able to the excitement of men's passions and the banish- 
 ment of reason, it is in a close, active and hard fought 
 political campaign. Into such a campaign Mr. Cochrane 
 would enter with all the ardor of his nature, and do all 
 that legitimately could be done for the success of his 
 party. Yet, at the close of the canvass, not even a politi- 
 cal opponent that knew him, but would be proud to call 
 him his friend. Honest himself, in his convictions as in 
 his habits, he yet had a broadly catholic spirit, and 
 acknowledging the possibility of error, gave to his oppo- 
 nents the credit for that honesty and sincerity in their 
 political sentiments, which formed the foundation of his 
 own. With him, argument was the weapon, and if 
 
72 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 unsuccessful with that, he could not descend to the degrad- 
 ing practice of vituperation, either as to the principles or 
 character of an opponent. He was innately, wholly, 
 always honest. Honest in thought, in act, in speech. 
 Integrity he was born with, and by its constant and 
 daily practice, kept his reputation bright and unspotted 
 before the world, and his memory will ever shine the 
 brighter from the addition of such an ornament. To all 
 these qualities, Mr. Cochrane joined the beauties of the 
 Christian character, which always adds attractions to any 
 life. 
 
 Thus he stood when the messenger came and sum- 
 moned him hence. With his armor on, in the midst of 
 his professional labors, in the full zenith of his powers, 
 death claimed him for its own. We who have been accus- 
 tomed to see him here, and have so often heard his voice 
 in these very halls, will feel and mourn his absence and 
 miss his well-known form. 
 
 But the memories that cluster around his name are 
 full of fragance, the bright example which he has left 
 to his juniors at the bar is well worthy of emulation, and 
 his high legal reputation one that any man be justly 
 proud to leave behind. 
 
 He met his end bravely, calndy, peacefully. He was 
 stricken down while seemingly in the possession of robust 
 health, and after a brief illness, died. Such a death, so 
 sudden, so uulooked for, is but another warning to us to 
 be in readiness for. that summons which is surely coming 
 to us all, and is also another instance of how calmly they 
 sleep who fall asleep in the Lord. 
 
 Hon. M. I. Townsend spoke as follows : 
 M^. Chairman : 
 
 Being a non-resident of your city and county, I at- 
 tended to-day to listen to the eulogies which should be 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 73 
 
 pronoimced by the immediate neighbors of our idolized 
 brother Cochrane, rather than from any purpose of per- 
 sonally participating in the action of this assembly. But 
 as the door has been so kindly thrown open to his non- 
 resident friends, I cannot hesitate to avail myself of the 
 privilege of adding one word of tribute to his sacred 
 memory. 
 
 I have been well acquainted with our departed friend 
 for the last thirty years. I first met him in the field of 
 politics. "We were both young and ardent. We had 
 both imbibed the sentiments of Jefferson, that every man 
 however humble, was our full brother. We were both 
 from l^ew England, and from the lips of I^ew England 
 mothers had been taught those higher and warmer poli- 
 tical doctrines explained and enforced by a greater and 
 better than Jefferson; and it is with no ordinary pleasure, 
 that as I bend over the grave of my deceased friend, 
 I can remember that for thirty years we have never 
 differed for an hour in our opinions as to what should be 
 done to promote the well-being of the country to which 
 we owe so much, and the happiness of the race whose 
 blood and destinies we shared. But this is not the place 
 or occasion to eulogize the political judgment of Mr. 
 Cochrane. It is for an entirely different reason that I 
 refer to this subject. I refer to his connection with po- 
 litics, for the purpose of saying that his political action, 
 like his professional life, was governed by his honest 
 personal convictions, and was exclusively regulated and 
 controlled by his noble loving heart. As a politician, 
 I esteem him one of the most successful men in our 
 state; successful not so much for the offices which he 
 honored by his acceptance, as by the wholesome, honor- 
 able, and controlling influence which he exerted upQ,n 
 the political interests of Central 'New York for the last 
 thirty years. A man's political success can never be 
 10 
 
74 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 measured by his mere official position. It is the man's 
 life and action which leave their impress upon mankind. 
 In this our friend was eminently successful. Few men 
 have done more to mould the political views of their 
 fellow-men than Clark B. Cochrane, and few have left 
 a name so pure from every stain of selfishness as he. 
 
 Under a government like ours, and in a state of society 
 such as ours, the members of the legal profession must 
 to a great degree mould and direct the organized action 
 of society, and we owe it to our country and our age to 
 mingle in politics, and whatever be our convictions as 
 to the right and the wrong of the questions of interest 
 which may at the time agitate the public mind, to give 
 the influence of our talents and acquirements in favor 
 of those measures which we believe to be most conso- 
 nant with the laws of God, with the constitution of our 
 country, and the well-being of our citizens. A man 
 who fairly and ardently discusses questions of public 
 interest before the people, according to the honest con- 
 victions of his mind, is a public benefactor, whether those 
 convictions are well founded or mistaken. And for this 
 reason I do not hesitate to say that our beloved friend, 
 though he may in the minds of some of us be hold 
 to have been sometimes mistaken, must be esteemed 
 by all to have been in his political life not only eminently 
 successful, but one who in all coming time will be ranked 
 amongst the benefactors of the race. 
 
 An extended professional acquaintance with Mr. Coch- 
 rane has ever tended to endear him to me. The same 
 warm smile met me always. In the struggles of the pro- 
 fession which so often try the nerves of the most equable, 
 I never heard a harsh or unkind word escape his lips. I 
 t^iink he never made an enemy, and that all who knew 
 him will join with me in the aspiration, God bless his 
 memory. 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 75 
 
 Hon. James T. Brady said: 
 Mr. Chairman : 
 
 Until after this meeting had been organized to-day, I 
 had no knowledge that it was to assemble. By mere 
 chance I learned that the bar was to honor the memory 
 of a deceased brother, and, being in the vicinity, I came 
 to unite my condolements with theirs, because I knew 
 well and loved much the subject of their lamentations. 
 
 There was a time when a visit to Albany was certain 
 to insure me the greatest pleasure. It continues yet to 
 gladden me because I meet here brethren of the profes- 
 sion whom I esteem, and friends whom it has been my 
 privilege to know for years. Yet melancholy attends my 
 footsteps as I traverse places where in the walks of duty 
 I was accustomed in by-gone days to meet other dear and 
 cherished brethren who have passed away. When there- 
 fore of late I have entered your court room, I have looked 
 around instinctively for those whom I have not yet learned 
 to consider reall}^ gone from earth forever. Amidst the 
 sadness thus awakened I derived consolation and joy when 
 I discovered in the apartment the open, frank, kind, smil- 
 ing, and intelligent face of our departed friend Cochrane. 
 The exchanged glance, the shake of his honest hand, the 
 sound of his genial voice made me feel the value of the 
 present, and dispelled painful reminiscences. It pains me 
 to realize that I am never to know that gratification again. 
 
 Mr. Webster in his famous address on the death of 
 Jeremiah Mason, admonished his hearers that whatever 
 may be the grandeur of man's life, "the solemn circum- 
 stance of death reduces him to his pure individuality." 
 This thought is illustrated whenever we are called to 
 mourn over any of our eminent brethren. It arises at this 
 moment in our minds and hearts. Prominent as our 
 brother Cochrane was, proud as was the position which he 
 
76 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 deservedly held before the public, much as we admired his 
 intellectual ability and achievements, we look beyond all 
 these to his nature as a man, and our affection lovingly 
 lingers around the beautiful qualities of his generous and 
 noble heart. The recollection of these will " long keep 
 his memory green in our souls." 
 
 I have thus spoken in poor and unconsidered phrase 
 what I feel at this moment, in this honored presence after 
 tributes to the deceased, to which I have listened with 
 melancholy delight, graceful and eloquent elegies over 
 one whom no praise could flatter. Viewing with the 
 deepest interest the exquisite garlands thus wreathed 
 around his name, I approach his grave with trembling 
 steps, to lay upon it this humble flower grown within my 
 heart. 
 
 Remarks of Hon. John Iv. Porter: 
 
 The deep feeling which pervades this assembly, attests 
 the justice of the tributes to which we have been listening 
 in honor of one whose memory we gratefully cherish. It 
 is difficult to know what to add without marring the 
 beauty and completeness of what has already been said. 
 Each of our friends has spoken with an impressive and 
 earnest eloquence, such as we were accustomed to expect 
 from him to whose voice we shall listen no more. In the 
 touching memorials he has left us on similar occasions, 
 of others whose places here are vacant, we recognize as 
 we recur to them naw, the mirrored reflection of his own 
 noble and generous nature. 
 
 ITear as he was to us, there are those to whom he 
 stood in still nearer relations. It is pleasant to remember 
 the tender and reverent affection with which he always 
 spoke of that aged mother, from whom he inherited the 
 love of truth and fervor of conviction which illustrated 
 and adorned his life. We recall his grateful appreciation 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 77 
 
 of the lessons she taught him in boyhood, at their old 
 Joe English mountain home, and of the maternal care 
 with which she impressed upon her children, the earnest 
 faith and sterling virtues of that Scotch-Irish lineage of 
 which he was so justly proud. She has passed the verge of 
 ninety years, to be bowed now with abiding grief by the 
 tidings that the closest tie which bound her to earth is sev- 
 ered, at a time when her heart is no longer a fountain either 
 of joy or of tears. It will be grateful to her to know that 
 the last hours of her son were cheered by the ministrations 
 of filial love, and brightened by the hopes of immortal 
 life. Deeply imbedded in his nature was a pervading 
 religious sentiment, intoning his whole character, impart- 
 ing fervor to each serious utterance, and leaving its 
 imprint on every thought, purpose and act. Unobtrusive 
 as it was, we recognized it in the purity of his life as the 
 clear and perennial source of an ever-living and beautiful 
 stream. 
 
 In the few words appropriate to an occasion like this, it 
 is not easy to delineate the leading traits which were so 
 happily blended in his character. Perhaps those which 
 most won our aflection were, his ingenuous and open 
 nature, his hearty and generous warmth, his frank and 
 engaging manners, his overflowing and genial humor, his 
 healthy and manly tone of thought and his steadfast 
 fidelity to his friends. But there were other and more 
 striking characteristics which enabled him to command 
 power and influence in the various relations of public, 
 professional and social life. He was a man of rare endow- 
 ments. From his youth up, he was emulous of honorable 
 distinction ; and when he left the collegiate hall, his 
 faculties were already trained by liberal culture for the 
 active duties of life. He devoted himself to their full 
 development by constant and unremitting exercise, by 
 unwearied assiduity in the acquisition of general know- 
 
78 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 ledge, and by mastering the elementary principles of 
 jurisprudence, as the basis of that signal success which 
 crowned his subsequent professional career. Every year, 
 witli him, was one of intellectual growth and expansion ; 
 and when we remember that his death occurred before he 
 had yet attained the full maturity of his powers, we are 
 scarcely reconciled by the brilliancy of his record in the 
 past to the disappointment of our hopes of one still more 
 brilliant in the future. He had a high sense of the eleva- 
 tion and dignity of his profession. No one advanced with 
 a surer step toward its foremost rank, or wore more 
 worthily the honors he had already won. The temptations 
 which often beguile the weak and the mercenary, had no 
 attractions to allure a man like him from the path of recti- 
 tude. He maintained his integrity, free from reproach, 
 free even from suspicion. His whole life was an open 
 book. In what has been said by our brethren of his 
 triumphs as an advocate, we can all unite with one accord. 
 In that character he had few peers, here or elsewhere. 
 Always able, always luminous, he sometimes rose to a 
 power and eloquence almost unrivaled. 
 
 There are other phases in the life of our friend, to which 
 we can recur with equal pride. His ardent temperament 
 and fervor of conviction naturally enlisted him deeply in 
 all that concerned the interest and progress of humanity. 
 His love of justice and of liberty led him in early life to 
 espouse opinions which did not tend to his advancement, 
 but which brought him frequently before popular assem- 
 blies, where he maintained his views with singular force 
 and eloquence. At a later period, a change in the course 
 of public affairs introduced him, from time to time, into 
 responsible positions in the state and federal councils, 
 where his ability and weight of character gave him a 
 commanding influence. These offices added nothing to 
 the measure of his stature, but they extended his reputa- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 79 
 
 tion and brought him afterward in closer contact with the 
 people. During later years, he probably exercised a 
 greater power over public opinion as a popular tribune, 
 than he could have done at the state or the national 
 capital. He was successful in attaining the ends of a just 
 and honorable ambition. He was not one of those who 
 recognize the measure of political elevation as the stand- 
 ard of intellectual achievement. It is one of the pecu- 
 liarities of our form of government, that in most of its 
 departments, it neither seeks nor secures the services of 
 its ablest men. The studies and pursuits which lead to 
 the highest development of the intellectual faculties tend 
 rather to withdraw those engaged in them from the line of 
 political promotion than to advance them to positions of 
 honor and public trust. The time which others devote to 
 conciliating popular favor, to forming personal connec- 
 tions and organizing political combinations, they need for 
 the labors of the librar}^, the lyceum, the college hall, the 
 pulpit, the press or the court room. 'They are compelled, 
 as the heads of families, to dedicate to pursuits in which 
 learning and capacity are rewarded, those services which 
 it is the policy of the government to secure at the cheapest 
 rate, from such as are able and willing to serve. To this 
 general rule there have been many brilliant exceptions : 
 and we recognize them in the lustre they have shed on 
 our annals. It is not to be denied, however, that our 
 greatest offices are rarely filled by our greatest men. 
 Many of the leaders of thought and action in their day 
 and generation have been those who were never called to 
 places of high distinction. Men of eminent worth and 
 ability, whatever their positions in the varied allotments of 
 public and social life, are always felt, and usually recog- 
 nized in their power and their influence, their words and 
 their works. They raise to a higher elevation the plane 
 of general opinion. Thej^ educate others and are edu- 
 
80 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 cated in their turn by contact and sympathy with the 
 people. They assist in moulding tlie public judgment; 
 they are familiar with the wants and capabilities of the 
 masses ; they originate public measures, and promote enter- 
 prises which concern the welfare of the state, the honor of 
 the country and the general interests of humanity. They 
 guide youthful amlntion to noble ends, and elevate the 
 moral tone of their brethren, their compeers and the com- 
 munities in which they reside. 
 
 In this, as in other aspects of his life, his services and 
 his influence, Mr. Cochrane's name is worthy of special 
 and honorable remembrance. With varied attainments, 
 as a scholar, and with abilities as a writer and a speaker, 
 which would have dishonored no office in the popular 
 gift, he dedicated them in every position, whether public 
 or private, with unwavering fidelity to the attainment of 
 worthy ends b}' honorable means. He was true to his 
 convictions of right and to the obligations of family, of 
 friendship and affection. He was true to his clients, to his 
 brethren, to the honor of the profession he adorned, and 
 to the great interests of public justice. He remembered 
 his duty as a citizen to his country, and as a man to his 
 brother man. He contributed to the utmost of his abili- 
 ties to the prosperity of our city, to the honor of the state 
 and to the stabilities of the government. 
 
 It is to be regretted that we have not, in a reported 
 form, some of his more memorable jur}^ arguments, 
 instinct as they were with glowing thought in glowing 
 lanffuao-e, fresh and warm from the heart. We can all 
 recall occasions when we felt that his words as they fell 
 from his lips, were worthy of a place in the classics of 
 forensic literature. There was a charm in the fervor of 
 his unpremeditated utterances, which we sometimes miss 
 in his more elaborate prodvictions. Some of these which 
 have been preserved in an enduring form, will be read 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 81 
 
 with interest in after time. His legislative and congres- 
 sional speeches secured for him a state and national 
 reputation. His admirable address at the centennial 
 celebration in ISTew Boston, finished like the work of 
 the sculptor, and yet warm with breathing life, is enti- 
 tled to rank among the master-pieces of scholastic beauty 
 and eloquence. 
 
 Though he was the senior of most of us in years, we 
 shall always associate his name with youthful memories. 
 He was one of those who never seem to grow old ; and 
 if he had reached the limit of three-score years and ten, he 
 would still have retained the ardor and freshness of youth. 
 There are those whose interest in earth ceases as it fades 
 from view in the last days of ebbing life ; but the heart of 
 Clark B. Cochrane was warm down to its last pulsation. 
 If it had been within his power, what a rich heritage 
 of sunshine and joy he would have left to those he loved, 
 though he was to look upon their faces no more. It will 
 be good for us if he has left on our characters and lives 
 something of the impress of his own. The influence of 
 such a man outlives him. It is like the light which over- 
 flows the day. 
 
 Mr. John W. McJ^amara spoke as follows : 
 Mr. Chairman : 
 
 I cannot refrain from placing, as it were, my simple 
 flower upon the grave of him whose loss we mourn. I 
 rise not to pronounce a eulogy. To those who knew 
 him, a eulogy is unnecessary ; to those who knew him 
 not, no words that I can utter are adequate to convey an 
 idea of what he really was. When he flrst came to the 
 city, I was a student, and as a student admired him for 
 the ability, the originality and the fairness with which 
 he presented his cases to court and jury. I always con- 
 11 
 
82 Memorial of Clark B. Cocurane. 
 
 sidered liim a model advocate — a model which I have 
 not ceased to study. 
 
 After I was admitted I met him often, and during 
 the past two years I have had the pleasure of being 
 associated with him in several cases in which he was 
 counsel, one of winch he and I together prepared just 
 before he was prostrated by his last illness. The respect 
 which I entertained for him by simply seeing and hearing 
 him in court, ripened into love when I became acquainted 
 with him and enjoyed his confidence and friendship. 
 
 Tlie able gentlemen who have preceded me have ex- 
 pressed, in language worthy of the theme, the leading 
 qualities of our brother's character. He was a Christian, 
 not only by profession, but in his every day life. He 
 always felt his responsibility and endeavored to do his 
 dut}^ He intended so to live as to l)e worthy when called 
 to account. 
 
 At a meeting of the bar, held less than three years ago, 
 speaking of the death of another he said : 
 
 "Providence, by this event, is teaching a practical les- 
 son to us all. We are again admonished how feeble and 
 uncertain is our hold on life. That as our brother was 
 cut down in mid career, so some of us may be. That as 
 his work is done, so ours soon will be. Let us not mur- 
 mur at the thought, but so meet and discharge what 
 remains of life's labors and duties, that when called to 
 give up our account we shall leave behind us such a 
 record of good living and a memory so pure and fra- 
 grant, that if any of our friends shall desire to speak a 
 word in our praise, the duty will be a pleasant and 
 grateful one." 
 
 We have learned that he was prepared to give up his 
 account, and we know that he so met and discharged 
 life's labors and duties, as to leave behind him a record 
 of good living, and a memory so pure and fragrant that 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 83 
 
 to speak of him is a pleasant and grateful duty. How 
 pleasant the thought, on this mournful occasion, that 
 Clark B. Cochrane still lives. That although the tenement 
 is destroyed, the tenant has gone to inhahit " a house not 
 made with hands, " where he will live forever. 
 
 The following letters, received by the committee ap- 
 pointed to call the meeting of the bar, were then read : 
 
 Schenectady, 13;'/;, March, 1867. 
 Hon. Deodatus Wright, chairman, &c. 
 
 Dear sir : 
 
 I am in the receipt of your invitation to attend a meet- 
 ing of the Albany bar, to testify their respect for the Hon. 
 Clark B. Cochrane. My having once united with the bar 
 of this city for the same object would not prevent my 
 repeating the tribute. I shall be prevented by an appoint- 
 ment which I cannot forego. And were I present with 
 you, as I desire to be, I should be compelled to remain 
 a silent witness of your proceedings. My sorrow at the 
 loss of one who has been so long, so confidentially, so 
 intimately associated with me in the business relations 
 of life, and whose intimate friendship I enjoyed until his 
 death, so overcomes my whole spirit, that in an attempt 
 to pay an appropriate tribute to his memory, I should 
 fail to do justice to myself, much more to him. 
 
 United as we were professionally for some five years; 
 united by the strongest ties of intimate companion- 
 ship, of friendship, and of confidence ; united in many 
 of the common sympathies of our nature ; possessing the 
 same views of national and political interests and duties ; 
 
84 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 the same love of liberty and hatred of oppression ; and 
 ever relying on him as I did, to give such sentiments full 
 demonstration which he possessed such ample and effect- 
 ive power to express; I feel a sense of individual and 
 private loss, an overwhelming grief, which I have no 
 power of words to make known. 
 
 But the loss of our friend is to ever}- other member of 
 the bar to whom he was known, alike a private loss in 
 greater or less degree. Who that remembers a social 
 circle of which our friend was one, that did not find 
 him the attractive centre ? Who that remembers his 
 genial nature, his kindness of heart, his unselfish disposi- 
 tion, that does not mourn the loss of a beloved friend ? 
 
 K^or is it alone for his social virtues, his goodness of 
 heart, his unwavering kindness in all the private relations 
 of life, his being so richly endowed with qualities that 
 rendered him valuable as a friend and companion, that 
 his death will be mourned. His loss will be mourned 
 also by the public, and his death be regarded as a public 
 calamity. In the councils of the state and of the nation, 
 at this crisis, his services would be invaluable. In the 
 full meridian of his life, in the full nuiturity of his intel- 
 lect, standing among the strong columns of his country's 
 support, in the plenitude of his usefulness, in his readiness 
 to impart wise counsels, he has been struck down by 
 death's inexorable fiat. Few among his survivors could 
 have been more useful at this great crisis; few possess 
 in a higher degree the public confidence, or better 
 capacity and disposition to lead, or to control men or 
 public sentiment. He was honest, fervent, patriotic, 
 eloquent. On the public forums, in the national and 
 state legislatures, in all public stations, he was looked 
 up to as a leader. In the great questions that have 
 convulsed this nation; in the struggles for the rights 
 of a common humanity, between civilization and barbar- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 85 
 
 ism, between law and lawlessness, between liberty and 
 oppression, between freedom and slavery, few men pos- 
 sessed the power to strike more effective blows for the 
 right; to rouse patriotic sentiment to a higher enthusi- 
 asm, or to nerve the brave to a nobler and more 
 determined energy than Mr. Cochrane. 
 
 His great theatre of power was the jury box. There 
 his influence was most remarkable. Imbuing himself 
 fully with the spirit of his case, assuming his client's 
 wrongs to be redressed as real ; transfusing his own feel- 
 ings into the minds of the jury ; not by studied sentences, 
 or by cold and polished periods, but by an earnest zeal, 
 and by a kind of mesmeric influence in which the emo- 
 tions of his own heart were the main instruments of 
 power, his success was marked and decided. 
 
 He commenced his professional life without the adventi- 
 tious aids of family or wealth; he rose to eminence at 
 the bar, and in the councils of the state and nation by 
 his own energy and talents. Few men under like adverse 
 circumstances have risen to higher positions of respect, 
 of usefulness and of honor ; few have left a deeper impress 
 upon the public mind, and no one a deeper impress upon 
 the hearts and aflections of his professional brethren than 
 Mr. Cochrane. I do not use these words as mere formal 
 praise, or by any means to flatter that cold, silent dust 
 which cannot hear the voice of him who utters them; 
 upon whom his loss falls with such a crushing weight of 
 sorrow. Time only can mitigate, chasten and sanctify 
 this afliiction. That genial nature : that eloquent tongue, 
 now sleeps in that cold embrace which waits to infold 
 us all. A half century of winters' snows only had passed 
 over his head when we are called upon, and by our silent 
 tears to say, in thought, though so honored and beloved, 
 he has filled his earthly destiny. 
 
 These are briefly a few of the leading traits of character. 
 
86 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 and liie expression of my own feelings, of this self-made, 
 warm-hearted, noble-minded man. To us, short-sighted 
 mortals, the ways of Providence in thus calling from us 
 this valued friend, seems mysterious, and in it we realize 
 the solemn truth : 
 
 " Death loves a shining mark." 
 
 ne died in the prime of manhood, and we rejoice to 
 say, with a Christian's hope. While we cannot repress 
 our private grief at his loss, let us not question the wis- 
 dom of him who orders all these mysterious events, nor 
 murmur or complain under his chastening rod because 
 we cannot comprehend the reason. 
 
 " Behind a frowning Providence 
 He hides a smiling face." 
 
 Truly yours, 
 
 Platt Potter. 
 
 Troy, ISih March, 1867. 
 
 The Hon. Deodatus Wright, chairman committee of 
 Albany bar. 
 
 Sir: 
 
 I have just received your invitation to attend the meet- 
 ing of the profession, on Saturday next, to testify their 
 respect for brother Cochrane. 
 
 I very sincerely regret, that an engagement of long 
 standing, and which involves the attendance of a large 
 number of witnesses from a distance, absolutely prevents 
 my being present on that occasion. 
 
 A long and familiar acquaintance with Mr. Cochrane 
 had taught me to appreciate very highly his professional 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 87 
 
 tact and ability, and liis genial temper and kindness of 
 heart ; and esteeming Mm thus, I was unwilling to believe 
 that his condition was so hopeless, as I was told. The 
 announcement of his death — though not a surprise — was 
 a severe shock to my feelings, and the sad event still 
 seems the sudden smiting down of manhood in its prime ; 
 the untimely extinguishing of high intellect and eminent 
 professional ability. I should be gratified to be able to be 
 present and add my tribute to his memory ; and I should 
 certainly do so, but for the engagement I have named. 
 Very respectfully, yours, 
 
 George Gould. 
 
 Saratoga Springs, March loth, 1867. 
 The Hon. D. Wright, chairman, &c., 
 
 I very much regret my inability to meet with the mem- 
 bers of the Albany bar on the 16th inst., in respect for 
 our deceased brother Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Long, intimate, and I may say confidential relations 
 with Mr. Cochrane had endeared him to me by the strong- 
 est ties of affection. 
 
 All loved him for his genial and manly qualities pure 
 as truth itself, and admired him for his learning, elo- 
 quence and patriotic devotion. 
 
 In verity, a loved one has passed from our midst. 
 
 Yours, &c., 
 
 A. BOCKES. 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 Hudson, March 15ih, 1867. 
 D. "Wriglit, Esq., cliairman, &c., 
 Deal' sir : 
 
 I regret exceedingly that an official engagement for 
 to-morrow will place it beyond my power to unite with 
 the members of the Albany bar in a tribute of respect 
 to our deceased friend and professional brother, Clark 
 B. Cochrane. 
 
 It was my good fortune to have made Mr. Cochrane's 
 acquaintance at an early day in my professional life, 
 and I have from that period entertained for him great 
 personal regard and a high estimate of his talents and 
 character. 
 
 I considered him as a man of brilliant intellect and 
 extensive attainments in the profession. As an advocate 
 he was eloquent, effective and successful, and had few 
 if any superiors. Some of his eftbrts at the circuit, 
 to which I have listened with great pleasure and satisfac- 
 tion, were equal to any thing of the kind which I have 
 ever heard. He possessed a remarkable faculty of touch- 
 ing the springs of human action and of reaching the 
 hearts of men, and in all the departments of the law 
 exhibited a high ordfer of ability. He was manly, frank 
 and kind-hearted in all his relations, and eminent and 
 distinguished as he was at the bar, he was equally re- 
 markable for his stern integrity and high sense of honor 
 in private life. 
 
 The name and fame of Clark B. Cochrane will be 
 cherished by hosts of friends who admired his talents and 
 appreciated his private virtues. 
 
 It is peculiarly fitting that his surviving associates in 
 the walks of the profession to which he was devoted, 
 and which engrossed the earnest efibrts of a consider- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 89 
 
 able portion of his life, should pay proper respect to 
 his memory, and, although I am unavoidably deprived of 
 the melancholy pleasure of participating in their pro- 
 ceedings, they have my cordial sympathy and approval. 
 With great respect, 
 
 I am yours &c., 
 
 Theodore Miller. 
 
 On motion, Hamilton Harris, John K. Porter, Lyman 
 Tremain, Amasa J. Parker, Alexander S. Johnson, were 
 appointed a committee to prepare a suitable memorial to 
 the memory of their deceased brother. And the meeting 
 then adjourned. 
 
 R. W. Peckham, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 W. C. McHarg, 1 c! 4. • 
 
 ' > Secretaries. 
 
 Leonard Kip, j 
 
 12 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF ST. ANDREW'S 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 At a special meeting of tlie St. Andrew's Society of the 
 city of Albany, held March 7, the following resolutions 
 were unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That our hearts arc profoundly affected by the 
 death of our friend and brother, the Hon. Clark B. Cocli- 
 rane. He possessed all the elements of character calcu- 
 lated to endear him to his friends and fellow-citizens. As 
 a husband, father, legislator, counselor and Christian 
 gentleman, he stood preeminent and blameless. HIb love 
 for his native land was that of a pure patriot, while 
 his veneration for the land of his ancestors found develop- 
 ment and expression in his thorough knowledge of its 
 literature, and in his own genial and noble life. 
 
 Resolved, That by his death this society has lost one of 
 its most honored members and the city and state one of 
 their most gifted and l^loved sons. 
 
 Resolved, That we will attend his funeral. 
 
 Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the 
 minutes of the society, and that a copy be transmitted to 
 his bereaved daughter, as an expression of our sympathy 
 with her in this hour of her deep sorrow. 
 
 Donald McDonald, 1st Vice Pres't. 
 
 Peter Kinnear, Secretary. 
 
3IR. GOCHRANE'S ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVEEED AT TUE 
 
 Centennial Celebration op the Incorporation op New 
 Boston, New Hampshire, July 4, 1863. 
 
 JL HERE is a sentiment in tlie human lieart answerins: 
 to the summons which brings us to this feast of memory. 
 We gatlier at this centre of interest and friendship, from 
 distant homes and varied hues of hfe, in obedience to 
 a common instinct of our nature. Attachment to the 
 place of birth, the scenes of childhood, the home of 
 kindr^l and the burial grounds of our fathers, springs 
 from an affection inherent in our humanity. As the 
 exhausted tides, by an irresistible law of nature, roll back 
 to their ocean home, so through their deepest channels 
 the warm and wearied currents of the soul return to the 
 associations, the play grounds, the companions of early 
 years. When the patriarch Joseph, looking to the pro- 
 mised exodus, though wearing the second honors of 
 Egypt, gave his brethren " commandment concerning 
 his bones," he did but express a desire instinctive and 
 common to mankind under all conditions and in every age. 
 
 " Breattes there tlie man witli soul so dead, 
 Who never to himself hath said, 
 This is my own, my native laud ! 
 Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, 
 As home his footsteps he hath turned. 
 From wandering on a foreign strand ! " 
 
 You, who have continued to occupy the old domain and 
 
92 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 inhei^l the paternal soil, have never felt and therefore 
 cannot appreciate the power of those ties which link the 
 heart of the emigrant to the home of his youth. It is 
 recorded of Abraham as a test of eminent faith, that 
 when the command came, " Get thee out of thy country 
 and from thy kindred and from thy father's house," he 
 "departed as the Lord had spoken." It is the wanderer 
 whose dreams are of the "fireside afar." 'Tis in the land 
 of strangers, remote from former friends, away from all 
 that had been loved and left behind, in the distant pur- 
 suits of fortune or fame, and amid the perplexities of 
 trade, the exhaustion of mind, the disappointments, toils 
 and tumults of hurried life, that our thoughts dwell in 
 the past and our weary spirits pant for the green fields 
 of youth, and the spring time of life. 
 
 With us, from whom the bloom and blessings of young 
 existence have long since departed, the memory of its 
 scenes, the attachments it formed, the places it lov^, and 
 the objects it cherished, retain a freshness and power 
 which years and absence serve only to increase. 
 
 " Time but the impression deeper makes, 
 As streams their channels deeper wear." 
 
 As the dreary vsdnds and falling leaves of autumn, force 
 a sigh for the balmy air and vernal glories of the open- 
 ing year, so the weariness and burdens of ripening age, 
 drive our thoughts back to the sunny season of youth 
 and hope, when exempt from cares and sheltered by a 
 mother's love, the present had no sorrows, and to the 
 eye of young ambition, the future no clouds. 
 
 " Who has not felt how growing use endears, 
 The fond remembrance of our former years ; 
 Who has not sighed when doomed to leave at last, 
 The hopes of youth, the habits of the past, 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cocitrane. 93 
 
 The thousand ties and interests that impart 
 A second nature to the human heart, 
 And wreathing round it close, like tendrils climb, 
 Blooming with age and sanctified by time." 
 
 The present is an opportunity long wished for — at 
 length enjoyed. We are here for no purpose of gain or 
 ambition, to inaugurate no enterprise which might hold 
 out to the greedy eye of capital promised returns of 
 wealth and power, we come to contend for none of those 
 glittering but delusive prizes which tempt the feet of 
 this world's votaries to the arena of discord and strife. 
 • Far different is our mission — ours is a pilgrimage of the 
 heart — an errand of friendship — the presentation of a 
 united social offering to the homes and the days of "Lang 
 Syne." The selfish passions of the soul are left behind, 
 and all its nobler impulses, all its kindlier sensibilities 
 are called into highest activity. 
 
 It ^\^uld be difficult to imagine an occasion which, for 
 us, could possess greater interest. 
 
 'New Boston, our native town, the home we loved and 
 left, has made a banquet for her absent children, and we 
 are here. Driving along the distant avenues and dusty 
 ways of life, we heard the mother's call, and we have 
 hurried home to partake of her hospitality and receive 
 her grateful welcome. 
 
 Fellow townsmen, neighbors, kinsmen, friends, we 
 thank you for this public expression of your kind remem- 
 brance, for this most generous greeting, this grand and 
 affectionate reception — for this " feast of reason and flow 
 of soul." The table which you have with so much liber- 
 ality spread before us, is wanting in no luxury which 
 may tempt the social appetite. Decked and perfumed 
 with the choicest flowers of memory, sparkling with 
 nectar which the gods yield only to the lips of earliest 
 and truest friendships, and twined with evergreens con- 
 
94 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 necting the present with a cherished past, we approach 
 it as the one entertainment, the crowning festival of our 
 lives. 
 
 After long years of separation and varied vicissitudes, 
 we meet again at the place from whence we went out. 
 We parted as friends, as friends wc meet ; we left in the 
 bloom of life and hope, we return faded by time and worn 
 by cares. Our several ways have led us in widely diverg- 
 ent lines. Our lots have been cast in places remote from 
 you and from each other. But neither absence or dis- 
 tance, prosperity or adversity, successes or disappoint- 
 ments have served to wean our hearts from the friends 
 and firesides we left behind, or make us forget the woods 
 and the streams, the hills and the valle3^s, the rocks and 
 the glens with which we communed when life was new. 
 From the western prairies, from the shores of the great 
 lakes, from the valley of the Hudson, from the commercial 
 metropolis of the continent, from the cities and l^llages 
 of the Atlantic seaboard, from the manufacturing towns 
 and along the rivers and among the mountains of our 
 own New England, animated v/ith one spirit and impelled 
 by a single impulse, we have hastened to join this reunion 
 of kindred hearts, and here, at the common source of our 
 several life-streams, once more drink together at the pure 
 fountains of childhood, and renew our strength for what 
 remains of life's battle amid the bracing air and among 
 the bracing friends of our rocky home. 
 
 The circumstances under which we are reassembled are 
 peculiarly happy in their combination, and are such as 
 can rarely occur in the history of any local community. 
 The day, the year, the preparation, the gathering, the 
 scene, all unite in crowding within the limits of a few 
 passing hours the highest social pleasures, the most hal- 
 lowed recollections of a life time. 
 
 It is, indeed, a genial and joyous occasion — a grateful 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 95 
 
 halting place by the wayside of life — a green spot to 
 which we gladly turn aside from the heated and hustling 
 ways over which we are driven along, to pass a brief 
 season in fraternal salutations, in happy greetings, in 
 pleasant and cheerful intercourse, to meet old friends and 
 revive former friendships, to recall the innocent sports, 
 the delightful scenes, the genial memories of early years ; 
 to inquire of you and of each other how it has fared with 
 us during these many years of separation; what joys, 
 what sorrows, what successes, what reverses, what lights 
 and what shadows have checkered life. 
 
 As the present is a time for gladness, so also it is a time 
 for retrospect and gratitude, as well. We rejoice at the 
 multiplied evidences of your prosperity — that the ancient 
 character of the old town for industry, enterprise, hospi- 
 tality and intelligence has sustained no detriment at your 
 hands. If you have received from us a less revenue of 
 honor and credit than you had reason to expect, you can 
 not justly reproach us with having brought upon the 
 names we bear or the lineage we claim, the taint of dis- 
 grace or dishonor. Between you who have remained and 
 us who have returned let there be the full flow of frater- 
 nal fellowship and generous gratulations, chastened by a 
 grateful sense that whatever of good fortune has attended 
 either, is due to that benignant Being, who "tempers the 
 winds to the shorn lamb," and who, of all true, good and 
 right living, is at once " The friend, inspirer, guardian, 
 and reward." 
 
 Since coming among you, we have not failed to make 
 the most of time and opportunity — we have lived youth 
 over again. Leaving age and cares, we have gone back 
 into the past. We have reveled in a full harvest of fami- 
 liar scenes and animating recollections. 
 
 The earth and air are fragrant with childhood memo- 
 ries. Tlie noise of rural industry, the lowing of herds, 
 
96 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 the nmrmur of streams, the hum of bees, the varied song 
 of birds, the drum of the partridge 'and the voice of the 
 whip-poor-will, sounds which mingled with life's earliest 
 dreams, have been again heard among our native hills. 
 "We have stood and gazed upward, once more, full in the 
 face of old Jo. English, whose stately form and solemn fea- 
 tures impressed our infant thoughts, and whose rugged 
 ascent and airy summit first tempted the ambitious adven- 
 tures of our boyhood. We have again followed the 
 famous Piscataquog, still winding its resolute way through 
 the heart of the old township, reminding us, at every turn, 
 of " home and friends and that sweet time," when, boys 
 together, we listened to its music, bathed in its waters and 
 played along its banks. !N^or have we forgotten the Meet- 
 ing House Common or the sandy slope in front of the 
 Hall, where, on training days, the JSTew Boston Artillery, 
 now an institution of the past, with measured tread, mar- 
 tial airs and nodding plumes, was accustomed to parade, 
 taking captive our eager hearts and stirring our young 
 spirits to en\^^ and admiration. We have again labored 
 up the sides of the old " hill pastures," on every square 
 rod of which, when boys at home, we had brushed the 
 dew with our bare and battered feet, and amid whose 
 endless perplexities of heap and hollow, rock, stub, thistle, 
 bush, brake and fern, in hunting the cattle, or attempting 
 to head off some antic horse or provoking steer, our young 
 tempers had been subjected to sorest trial. We have been 
 to the school house to see once more the oft-remembered 
 grounds, where with merry voices we had so often gamed 
 and frolicked, when "playful children just let loose from 
 school" — to the gray church yard, through whose solemn 
 gateway, during these long years of absence, have been 
 borne, one after another, the remains of those whom, in 
 life, we had known and loved, to mingle with the kindred 
 dust of three generations of our forefathers; have gazed 
 
Memorial op Clark B. Cochrane. 97 
 
 upon the same sky which bent over us in infancy, 
 still floating the summer clouds, in whose fleeting sha- 
 dows, emblems of human life and glory, we accept in age 
 the lessons rejected in youth. Have mused where once 
 we played, light of heart, beside the "story telling glens 
 and founts and brooks." Have looked out upon the same 
 grand old woods; upon the fields smiling in the same 
 variegated garniture ; upon 
 
 " The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood, 
 And every loved spot that our infliucy knew." 
 
 The wide-spreading pond and the mill that stood by it, 
 The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell. 
 The cot of our father, the dairy-house by it. 
 And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well." 
 
 Turning from " all the landscape smiling near," familiar 
 objects still remain, to which distance lends enchantment. 
 
 Within the ample circle marked by the horizon — the 
 grand and diversified panorama, the first, upon which we 
 lifted our eyes — there's no feature we do not recognize — 
 not a picture, not a group we do not recall — familiar 
 friends, old acquaintances all. Yonder, unchanged by 
 time, the Uncanoonucks, sisters of one birth, still lifting 
 their graceful forms to the clouds, stand as when we first 
 beheld them, the same faithful sentinels at the gates of 
 the morning. From the stormy north old Kearsearge, 
 guarding the approaches to the enchanted regions of the 
 '\'Vliite Hills, heaves as of old his huge and granite shoul- 
 ders high in air. Towards the quarter whence cometh 
 the summer shower, the same lofty pile still arrests the 
 eye, as when driving our father's team afield, we saw the 
 thunder cloud break and recoil from the assault upon his 
 forked summit. Standing out against the evening slcy 
 is seen the same mellow outline of hills behind which, 
 when we were young, the sun, as now, went down to 
 13 
 
98 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 rest, drawing after him the same unfading curtains of 
 purple and gold; while away in the hazy distance beyond 
 grand Monadnock towering upward in silent and solitary 
 grandeur, bares, as of yore, his undaunted and imperial 
 head to the bolting artillery of the skies. To the south 
 the green slopes and wooded ridges of Mount Vernon, 
 the plains of Amherst, the pine forests of Merrimack, 
 now as formerly, sleep in peaceful repose and blending 
 with the less distinct landscape beyond, form a picture of 
 rare and quiet beauty as it stretches outward and onward 
 towards the sea. 
 
 " 0, nature, how in every charm supreme, 
 Whose votaries feast on raptures ever new, 
 0, for the voice and fire of Seraphim, 
 To sing thy glories with devotion due." 
 
 Such are the external scenes and surroundings from 
 which the sons and daughters of I^Tew Boston drew their 
 early inspiration, and under the influences of which were 
 shaped and tempered the elements of their growth and 
 character. !N^ature rarely fails to impress something of 
 her own features upon the children whom she nourishes 
 upon her bosom. 
 
 Where the earth rises to meet the heavens, where cata- 
 racts foam and the waters leap, where, above the herds 
 that graze, and the fields that bloom in the valleys below, 
 the eagle wheels to his home in the cliffs, 'tis there, other 
 conditions being equal, that the soul most surely " looks 
 up through nature to nature's God;" that the seed of 
 liberty and virtue take readiest and firmest root, and the 
 abodes of men are safest from violence and plunder. 
 
 "Nature, we owe thee much if we have felt 
 Aught of the firm resolve or wish sublime, 
 'Tis that we drank from thee the heavenly draught, 
 And gave thy moral image to the world." 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 99 
 
 Peculiarly gratifying as are tlie circumstances under 
 wliicli we meet, tlioiigli fraught witli so much of tradi- 
 tional interest and social inspiration, the occasion is not 
 free from suggestions of sadness. Of those, who have 
 gone out from among you within the memory of the 
 present generation a part only have returned. Some who 
 had hoped to mingle in our festivities have been provi- 
 dentially prevented. Others whose address was unknown 
 or uncertain have failed of notice. Many, very many, 
 have passed beyond the call of earthly fi-iendships. As 
 well among us who left as you who remained, death has 
 done its inevitable work. Since last we met, who of us 
 all has not lost a friend? Of all the family circles 
 to which we claim kindred, what one has remained 
 unbroken ? Some have passed away in the bright morn- 
 ing of hope and promise, others have fiillen in the 
 strength and noon of life and labor — in the case of a 
 few, the silver cord has remained unloosed until the eye 
 became dim and the grasshopper a burden. 
 
 How few of the fathers and mothers who bowed at 
 these altars and worshiped in this mountain, when we 
 were young, are here to greet us to-day ! 
 
 It is not our purpose to obtrude upon the pleasures of 
 this festive season, the memory of private griefs or indi- 
 vidual sorrow, of which we have all had our allotted share, 
 or say aught that might open those heart-wounds over 
 which time has passed his kind and healing hand. But 
 there is one bereavement in which we all equally share, 
 a public sorrows for the loss of one in whom, while liv- 
 ing we found a common friend and father, which forces 
 itself upon our attention, and claims from the passing 
 hour a tribute of filial recognition. To this our social 
 jubilee the charm of his presence is wanting. We miss 
 his genial smile, the cordial grasp of his hand, his words 
 of aftectionate welcome, his parental benediction, Assem- 
 
100 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 bled to mark an era and commemorate so mucli that is 
 local and interesting in our history as a community, it 
 is impossible not to recur to the name of one, whose 
 memory, fragrant with a thousand grateful recollections, 
 looks out upon us from every whispering tree and ancient 
 pathway like a living presence, reminding us of the plastic 
 and moulding genius, that seized upon the elements of 
 youthful character and gave them the touch and tone 
 of virtuous manhood and womanly grace, evolving fresh 
 vigor as the years have waned. For a period of forty 
 years, embracing two-fifths of the century now closing, 
 he moved among his people their acknowledged head, 
 teacher and guide, a living exemplar of whatever is pure 
 and excellent in moral and Christian living. To advance 
 your social prosperity, your educational interests and 
 secure the present and eternal well-being of yourselves 
 and your children, was the unselfish burden of his heart, 
 the labor of his life. Faithful to every duty, public and 
 private, failing in attention to no class or condition, with 
 a wise reference to the great truth in the economy of 
 growth, that upon the seed time depends the future 
 harvest; he took especial interest in the training and 
 education of the young. How vividl}'- do we recall his 
 periodical visitations to the district schools — regularly 
 occurring at the beginning and again at the close of each 
 term ; they Avere the events of our school-day years ; with 
 what anxious carefulness of preparation, with what lively 
 emotions of anticipated pleasure we awaited his coming. 
 The young eyes turning, in spite of rules, a sly glance 
 through the window, lighted up with new animation as 
 they saw his approach — expectation stood on tiptoe as 
 the well-known knock was heard at the door, and the 
 whole school rose to welcome with the aifectionate ho- 
 mage of their obeisance the advent of a recognized bene- 
 factor and friend, l^o merited praise was withheld, and 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 101 
 
 criticism, when required, was administered witli wisdom 
 and charity. He brought a kind word for all — assurance 
 of reward for the diligent, encouragement for the back- 
 ward, hope for the timid, a sure return of happiness for 
 the good, and to the young aspirings of those of brightest 
 promise, though clad in homeliest garb, were held up 
 the attractive awards of future eminence and success. 
 The performance of his parochial duties was without par- 
 tiality. In visiting the homes of the more affluent he 
 passed not by the dwellings of the poor. In both he was 
 equally at home and equally welcome. His words always 
 fitly spoken were as " apples of gold in pictures of silver" 
 and "as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies." 
 When the ear heard him then it blessed him, and when 
 the eye saw him it gave witness to him. 
 
 Unto him men gave ear, and, waited, and kept silence 
 at his counsel. They waited for him as for the rain, and 
 they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. 
 
 In the house of gladness his presence and chastened 
 vivacity seemed but to highten every innocent pleasure, 
 and to the house of sickness and mourning he hastened 
 to bear from his Master, precious words of mercy and 
 consolation — words which few knew so well how to 
 administer. 
 
 " At cliurcli, with Dieek and uuafFected grace, 
 His looks adorned the venerable place ; 
 Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway. 
 And fools who came to scoflF. remained to pray." 
 
 Possessed of a mind richly endowed by nature and cul- 
 tivation, of conversational powers of rarest fascination, 
 added to a presence, at once agreeable and commanding, 
 he took rank from the first among the most gifted and 
 intellectual of his cotemporaries. Though eminently quali- 
 fied for success in situations affording broader range for 
 
102 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 intellectual activity and display, he was content to com- 
 plete the measure of his life and ministry in the less 
 ambitious field to which he was first called, and at last, 
 be laid to rest among the people to whom his youthful 
 strength, and his earliest and only vows were given. 
 
 Venerable man ! " none knew him but to love him, 
 none named him but to praise," — and so long as the 
 Christian faith shall preserve this tabernacle and here 
 maintain an altar, the name of Ephraim Putnam Brad- 
 ford shall live in the affectionate memory of men. 
 
 We have met, fellow townsmen, for a historic as well 
 as social purpose — to chronicle events while we glean in 
 the field of recollection — to pause in the rapid round of 
 years, review the past and make a record — to witness the 
 closing scenes of a dying century, and raise a monument 
 and trace upon it a brief inscription to its memory. 
 Though the range of immediate inquiry is narrow and 
 special, the task of its examination which we propose to 
 ourselves on this occasion, is not devoid of general inte- 
 rest. The records of states and nations are made up from 
 local and partial annals. From out just such materials as 
 the threads and fragments, which the people of New 
 Boston this day " rescue from the common decay," the 
 historic muse weaves with cunning hand the variegated 
 web of the ages. 
 
 The events connected with the first settlement of New 
 Boston about the year 1733, and its incorporation thirty 
 years later by the provincial government of New Hamp- 
 shire, carry us back to an age in which the great thougjit 
 of separate nationality had not been conceived, and far 
 into the colonial period of American history, to a time 
 when our judges sat in the ermine of Westminster Hall, 
 and governors and magistrates ruled by commissions from 
 the crown, when men were yet strong who had triumphed 
 with Marlborou2:h at Blenheim and Ramillies, and our 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 103 
 
 martial ancestors celebrated in scarlet uniforms tlie imper- 
 ishable anniversaries in the calendar of British glory — to 
 a period before the French empire in America had been 
 dissolved in the shock of battle on the plains of Abra- 
 ham, or the brave Scottish clans who welcomed Charles 
 Edward to the Highlands, had seen the last hope of the 
 house of Stuart perish on the field of Culloden. 
 
 Men and generations pass away, but society and the 
 race continue, and the cause of human progress and 
 civilization, events and their logic, march steadily for- 
 ward. Youth is renewed at the grave of age, and over 
 the ruins of universal death new and better forms of life 
 perpetually spring. 
 
 Our origin as a community is involved in no obscurity. 
 It is traceable in plain history, not in uncertain fable. 
 In nationality, it was Scotch ; in Christianity, Protestant ; 
 in theology, Calvinistic ; in sect, Presbyterian. We trace 
 the well-marked line of descent and emigration back- 
 w\ard, first to Londonderry, ISTew Hampshire, thence to 
 the counties of Londonderry and Antrim, in the north 
 of Ireland, and from thence to Argyleshire and Ayrshire, 
 its source, in the west of Scotland. 
 
 Than ours, few communities can claim a worthier gene- 
 alogy or trace a nobler ancestral record. Though com- 
 pelled to force subsistence from a reluctant soil, though 
 inhabiting a land encircled by wintry seas, piled with 
 mountains, roaring with torrents and wrapt in storms, 
 the Scottish race have achieved results and attained a 
 raiik which have challenged the respect and admiration 
 of the world. From external fortune was fashioned the 
 interior character, and both were of iron. Emerging in 
 advance of most of the countries of Europe, from out 
 the barbarism of the middle ages, Scotland has continued 
 for more than seven centuries a historic and civilizing 
 power among the nations of the earth. Like her national 
 
104 Memorial of ClaRk B. Cochrane. 
 
 " thistle," blooming for her friends and bristling to her 
 enemies, in every period of her history, she has been 
 true to her motto, 
 
 " Nemo me impiuie lacessit." 
 
 As the " ever green pine " of Clan Alpine, moored 
 in the " rifted rock proof to the tempest shock," she 
 still abides in immortal youth, with eye undimmed and 
 strength unabated, bearing " length of days in her right 
 hand, and in her left hand, riches and honor." In litera- 
 ture, science and philosophy, notwithstanding her com- 
 paratively small population, the array of brilliant names 
 she has given to the world is excelled by no country, 
 ancient or modern. 
 
 From the Tweed to the Orkneys, and from the frith 
 of Tay to Loch Shiel, there is no rood of ground which 
 the pen of her gifted sons has not made classical. The 
 yearly pilgrimages made by poets, scholars and tourists 
 to the various objects of natural grandeur and beauty 
 with which Scotland abounds, are but the homage which 
 taste and learning annually pay to the genius of Burns, 
 of Scott, of "Wilson and Macaulay, who, in deathless 
 song and matchless prose have invested the estuaries and 
 lochs, the mountains and glens, the banks and braes, the 
 "heathy moors and winding vales " of our father-land 
 with lile and enchantment. Katrine and Loch Lomond, 
 Benvenue and Benan, the " Sweeping Mth," and " Bonny 
 Boon," glowing afar in the attractions of romance, will 
 carry down to remotest time the names which have m^e 
 them immortal. 
 
 The rigors of climate, the severities of labor, the pro- 
 tracted conflicts to which they have been subjected, and 
 through which as well as over which they have triumphed, 
 joined to native force of intellect and a stern Christian 
 faith, have given character to the Scotch and enabled 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 105 
 
 them to exhibit, in every condition and under all vicissi- 
 tudes of fortune, those combined qualities of valor, en- 
 ergy, intelligence, constancy and self-command which 
 create success and exempt nations and individuals alike 
 from the possibilities of failure. It need therefore excite 
 no surprise that the inhospitable sliores, the bleak moun- 
 tains, the rocky soil and the rugged primeval forests of 
 New England had no terrors for and presented no obsta- 
 cles to our hardy ancestors. They came to their work 
 of settlement and empire with fearless hearts and reso- 
 lute hands, trusting alone in the favor of Heaven and 
 their own strong arms for success. 
 
 Upon the death of Elizabeth, in 1603, James the First 
 of England and Sixth of Scotland succeeded to the British 
 throne. During the early period of his reign, he directed 
 his attention to the improvement and reformation of Ire- 
 land. The cruel and barbarous customs, which had pre- 
 vailed among the aboriginal inhabitants, were abolished, 
 and the English laws, with courts for their administration, 
 were substituted in their stead. Upon the suppression 
 of a revolt, which had been raised against his authority, 
 the insurrectionary district, embracing the province of 
 Ulster, by attainder of the rebel chiefs, reverted to the 
 crown. Liberal grants of the forfeited lauds were made 
 to companies formed in London, in aid of the royal 
 scheme of securing the permanent pacification of the 
 insurgent district by the introduction of emigrants from 
 England and Scotland. Under the encouraging auspices 
 of the crown, the process of colonization went rapidly 
 forward. Industry and the arts went with the colonists. 
 The effect produced by the introduction of the new ele- 
 ment among the native material soon vindicated the 
 wisdom of the enterprise. Violence and crime dimi- 
 nished, and the country began at once to assume the 
 appearance of comparative order and civilization. The 
 14 
 
106 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 rebellion had left tlie ancient city of Derry in ruins. 
 With a \dew to its reconstruction, the site upon which it 
 had stood, together with six thousand acres of adjacent 
 lands, were granted to the city of London in its corporate 
 capacity, whence the old city and county of Derry 
 received the name of Londonderry. Emigrants from 
 Scotland, companies of whom began to arrive as early 
 as 1612, settled in the counties of Londonderry and 
 Antrim, which thus became for a long and eventful 
 period, the home of our ancestors. During the three 
 following reigns and including the period of the common- 
 wealth, the colonists in L'eland continued to receive, from 
 time to time, large accessions to their numbers from 
 among their kindred and countrymen from England and 
 Scotland. So that, at the commencement of the memo- 
 rable struggle of 1688, which resulted in the complete 
 dethronement of James the Second, and his final expul- 
 sion from the British Islands, the Protestants of Ulster 
 had become, not indeed numerically, but by reason of 
 superior energy, skill and intelligence, the dominant and 
 controlling class in the north of Ireland. Throughout 
 that renowned contest of arms, their zeal, endurance 
 and intrepidity have never been surpassed. To their 
 long and heroic defense of Londonderry, by which the 
 French and Irish army was for months baffled and 
 delayed, and before which it finally rolled back over the 
 line of its advance, broken and demoralized, the cause 
 of freedom and Christian civilization is in no small 
 degree indebted for the success of that most auspi- 
 cious and happy of revolutions which brought William 
 of Orange and Mary to the throne. 
 
 Subsequent to this event and a little less than thirty 
 years thereafter, one hundred and twenty families of 
 Scotch descent, from the counties before mentioned, 
 among whom were many who had witnessed and some 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 107 
 
 who had participated in the memorable siege, prompted 
 chiefly by the hope of securing a larger measure of civil 
 and religious liberty, prepared to bid a final adieu to the 
 old world and try their fortune in the new. 
 
 They left the shores of Ireland in five ships, and 
 arrived at Boston, Aug. 4th, 1718. Sixteen of these 
 families having obtained, from the authorities of Massa- 
 chusetts, leave to locate upon any of the unappropriated 
 lands under the jurisdiction of that province, a township 
 of twelve miles square, proceeded during the autumn 
 to Casco bay, with the design of settling in the neighbor- 
 hood of what is now Portland; if, upon view, a satisfac- 
 tory location should be found. The expedition proved 
 unsuccessful. After passing, in the harbor of Falmouth, 
 a winter of unusual severity, through which they were 
 subjected to extreme suffering, both from cold and 
 hunger, they started upon their return on the first open- 
 ing of spring, and coasting westward, entered the mouth 
 of the Merrimack, and ascending it to the head of navi- 
 gation, landed at Haverhill, then a frontier town, on the 
 2d of April, 1719. At this place, flattering representa- 
 tions were made to them of a tract of country lying but 
 a few miles northerly, to which, by reason of the abund- 
 ance and variety of nuts found there, had been given 
 the name of ISTutficld. Thither the impatient adventurers, 
 without delay, bent their weary but still resolute steps, 
 and on the 11th of April rested upon the soil of our then 
 future Londonderry. It was the time of spring. ]!^ature, 
 throughout all her myriad arteries, was throbbing with 
 the tides of returning life. The wild grass was springing 
 in the narrow glades and along the margin of the streams, 
 the forests of sturdy growth, swelling with preparation, 
 were just ready to burst into verdure — and every living 
 thing that had a voice joined in a general chorus of wel- 
 come to the vernal year. It was the season of hope, 
 
108 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 and the scene was one of gladness. Here the little 
 company of emigrants, weak in numbers but strong in 
 spirit, at once determined to locate tlieir grant and build 
 their homes. Committing themselves and their infant 
 enterprise to the keeping of that Being in whom they 
 reverently trusted, they went to the work assigned them 
 with a faith that never faltered and with hands that never 
 tired. 
 
 Had the acquisition of fame been the end at which they 
 aimed, their aspirations must have been fully satisfied 
 could they have seen the distinguished position they were 
 destined to occupy in the domain of history. But such 
 was not the ambition which led them on. 
 
 " Not as the conqueror comes 
 They, the true-hearted came ; 
 Not with the roll of the stirring drums 
 And the trumpet that sings of fame. 
 
 Not as the flying come 
 
 In silence aud in fear ; 
 They shook the depths of the forest gloom 
 
 AVitli their liymns of lofty cheer. 
 
 What sought they thus afar ? 
 
 Bright jewels of the mine ? 
 The wealth of seas ? the spoils of war ? 
 
 They sought a faith's pure shrine, 
 
 Ay, call it holy ground — 
 
 The soil where first they trod ! 
 They have left unstained what there they found — 
 
 Freedom to worship God." 
 
 Then and there were laid the foundations of a com- 
 munity which was destined to act a most important and 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 109 
 
 distinguished part in the future settlement, growth and 
 triumphs of ISTew Hampshire. Prosperity attended this 
 colony from the beginning. The tomahawk and torch of 
 the savage, by which so many neighboring settlements 
 had been surprised and desolated, came not near its bor- 
 ders. The pestilence which had wasted so many colonies, 
 averted its breath from this. For nearly or quite a half 
 century accessions were almost yearly made to its strength 
 and numbers from the ranks of newly arrived emigrants 
 of like faith and blood. The history of this community, 
 from its inception, was one of uninterrupted growth and 
 success. It proved a fountain from which, as well as into - 
 which, streams of emigration flowed. It is estimated that 
 there are now living more than twenty-five thousand per- 
 sons, some of whom are to be found in almost every town 
 of ISfew England and not a few beyond its borders, who 
 derived their origin from this people. Windham and 
 Londonderry, Vt. ; Cherry Yalley, IsT. Y. ; Windham, ]^. 
 H. ; Acworth, Chester, Manchester, Bedford, 'New Boston, 
 Antrim, Peterborough, Francestown, Goftestown, Cole- 
 rain, Heniker and Deering were first settled, all of them 
 largely, and several of them, including 'New Boston, 
 almost entirely by emigrants from Londonderry. Of JSTew 
 Boston, it may be said more emphatically than of any 
 other town, she was the child of Londonderry. 
 
 jNIaiiy other settlements received early and important 
 accessions from the same source, and notwithstanding 
 these heavy drafts upon her population, the mother 
 township numbered within her own borders, in 1775, two 
 thousand five liundred and ninety souls. 
 
 Having thus briefly traced the history of the colony by 
 whose sturdy sons and sterling daughters our own town 
 was founded and its character and institutions formed, it 
 only remains to be added, that no community within the 
 limits of JSTew Hampshire has exerted a wider or happier 
 
110 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 influence in shaping the destinies and advancing tlie 
 honor of the state than Londonderry. 
 
 Throughout the struggle of the revolution no town 
 displayed greater unanimity, constancy and zeal for the 
 patriot cause, or made larger contributions of men and 
 means to secure its success. Thornton, Stark, Reid, 
 Gregg, and McCleary, are of the men she gave to the 
 cause and the country, — names which have shed imperish- 
 able lustre upon the annals of the states and abide forever 
 in the gratitude of a free people. 
 
 Let it be remembered that whenever and wherever the 
 pioneers of New iTngland went to open up the forests 
 and cast in their lot, they carried with them, as the grand 
 agencies in the work of settlement and civilization, the 
 Christian church and the common school. These instru- 
 mentalities lose none of their importance by change of 
 condition or lapse of time. They are continuing and 
 unalterable necessities. And here and now, as the last 
 sands of a century fall and disappear, and speaking for 
 the first and doubtless for the last time to the peopfe 
 amono; whom we were reared and for whom affectionate 
 memories have been retained, we pause to declare, as 
 the result of our deepest convictions, that neither your- 
 selves nor those who shall come after you, have any sure 
 promise for the life that now is or the life which is to 
 come, except as you and they shall value and cherish these 
 twin institutions of grace and knowledge left by our 
 fathers in solemn charge. 
 
 ********** 
 
 The point of interest with us, as with you, has been 
 the early settlers, the events they shaped, the ends at 
 which they aimed, the obstacles overcome and the results 
 they accomplished. To these fathers of the town we owe 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. Ill 
 
 a deep debt of gratitude, and it was fitting that we should 
 recognize it in this united and public mannner. They 
 were, indeed, men of no ordinary mould — men, in whom 
 was united that relative measure of faith and works, of 
 purpose and action by which victories, whether of war or 
 peace, are compelled. While profoundly acknowledging 
 a superintending providence to which all human instru- 
 mentalities were subordinate, they recognized in the right 
 and resolute use of their own powers, the appointed 
 means for carrying forward the enterprises and securing 
 the purposes of life. With such, success depends upon 
 no other conditions — against such, no fancied lions hold 
 the way — with such, there can be no failure — failure 
 itself is victory. If such were our fathers, our mothers 
 were not less equal to the demands of the situation. 
 These, content with their rugged lot, shared the cares 
 and toils of their husbands, and in the spirit of true 
 female heroism met and overcame the numberless priva- 
 tions and severities which pertained to life in the new 
 settlements. Superior to every trial, and armed for any 
 extremes of fortune, they present in their lives noble 
 models for the imitation of American ij^iothers. Like 
 the virtuous woman of the sacred proverb, whose price 
 is estimated above rubies : 
 
 They sought wool and flax, and worked willingly with 
 their hands. 
 
 They rose also while it was yet night, and gave meat 
 to their households, and a portion to their maidens. 
 
 They laid their hands to the spindle, and their hands 
 held the distaff. 
 
 They stretched out their hands to the poor, and reached 
 forth their hands to the needy. 
 
 The}^ were not afraid of the snow for their households, 
 "knowing their households were clothed with the scarlet 
 cloth of their weaving." 
 
112 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 They made fine linen and sold it. Strength and honor 
 were their clothing. 
 
 They opened their mouths with wisdom, and in their 
 tongues was the law of Idndness. 
 
 They looked well to the ways of their households, and 
 ate not the bread of idleness; and their children, as we 
 do this day, rose up and called them blessed. 
 
 Said the settlers in their invitation to Rev. Mr. Moor, 
 "From a very small, in a few years, we are increased 
 to a considerable number, and the wilderness by God's 
 kind influences, in many places amongst us, has become 
 a beautiful field affording us a comfortable maintenance." 
 While this is the language of humble dependence, it is 
 also the language of appropriate congratulation, of con- 
 scious success and Christian self-reliance. In scarcely 
 more than a quarter of a century from the time tlie first 
 clearing was opened to the sun, individuals had united 
 into families, and families into neighborhoods, and neigh- 
 borhoods into a stable and flourishing community. The 
 triumphs of associated industry and enterprise were visi- 
 ble on every hand, and tlieir extent and rapid achieve- 
 ment attested the qualities of the race from which the 
 fathers and mothers of New Boston sprung. Flocks 
 grazed in abundant pastures, the orchard bloomed in 
 its season, the red clover scented the summer air, fields 
 of yellow grain nodded in the harvest winds, the wren, 
 sweet bird of rural peace, from her perch by the farm 
 house welcomed the dawn with joyous song, and the 
 robin, following the abodes of cultivated lite, poured 
 forth her evening carol to the setting sun. With these 
 evidences of prosperity and contentment came the " New 
 England Sabbath," with its calm stillness, its faithful 
 lessons, and sacred solemnities, proclaiming the presence 
 of a devout colony already rejoicing in the more precious 
 institutions of a Christian civilization, and looking for- 
 
Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 113 
 
 ward to a posterity to whom they might safely commit the 
 keeping of their faith and their inheritance. 
 
 Did time permit, it would be alike pleasant and in- 
 structive to enter upon a brief review of the scenes of 
 toil and activity, as well as some of the more stirring 
 events of local and public interest, which attended the 
 growth and development of this people, but we may 
 not trespass farther upon your generous forbearance. 
 
 This centennial occasion, with its pleasures and duties, 
 hastens to a conclusion, and in a few brief hours will be 
 numbered among the events of the past. Soon we shall 
 again separate, and in our allotted places and various call- 
 ings resume the journey and burdens of life, and while 
 all which we shall accomplish in what remains of mortal 
 activity will be less than a unit in the grand summary 
 of events which shall complete the measure of the coming 
 century, the transactions of to-day, it may be reasonably 
 hoped, will live on and live after us. The history we 
 indite as a tribute of gratitude to the past we leave as an 
 offering to the future. Though the gift be unpretending, 
 it will be eagerly accepted and gratefully cherished by 
 every true son of the soil, whatever fortunes betide him 
 and wherever he may make his later home. 
 
 Time, measured by the changes wrought upon us 
 and ours, is remorseless and fleeting. Individuals die 
 and are forgotten, and brevity and mutability are written 
 upon all that is outward and personal in human life. On 
 the world's broad stage, both the scenes and actors are 
 constantly shifting, but upon the great drama the curtain 
 never falls. What, though amid the revolution of the 
 centuries generations come and go, and peace and war 
 follow each other in protracted alternation ; what though 
 continents are now calm and now convulsed, and the 
 armies of light and darkness seem to wage uncertain 
 conflict; what though storms assail the noblest fabrics 
 15 
 
114 Memorial of Clark B. Cochrane. 
 
 of social wisdom, and at times comes " the winter of our 
 discontent," in which the greenest leafage of our moral 
 summer may fade and fall — the race, with all its trans- 
 cendent interests and hopes, untouched in its life and 
 unity, shall remain firm in its destiny, and the cause of 
 truth, working out a full and free civiUzation, will move 
 steadily onward, however thrones may crumble and em- 
 pires perish, until the nations of mankind,, perfected 
 through discipline and trial, shall pass at length int 
 the tranquil glories of the promised millennium. 
 
 W46 
 

 
 
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