Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/243

This page needs to be proofread.
208
The Green Bag.

day the case was called he was absent, and the Court, impatient at this apparent neglect of his client's interest, absolutely issued an attachment for him. The officer appeared with him in court. Glover said his condition, as he almost staggered into court, was such as to excite his profound sympathy. The Court insisted that the argument proceed, and Glover and his associates spent several hours in the opening argument, presenting a vast array of authorities to sustain their con tention. Mr. Green then arose to reply. At first he rambled somewhat; but at length he seemed fully aroused, and made, said Glover, one of the finest legal arguments he ever heard in a case. Without referring to a single book, though a number of those used and cited lay upon the counsel table before him, he quoted from memory authority after authority, often verbatim. So unanswerable was his logic, so clear his reasoning, that he convinced the Court of the correctness of his conclusions, and won the case. Owing to his irregular habits, doubtless, his health failed, andJudge he died Wagner, in St. for Louis, many January, years 19 a distin 1870. guished member of the Supreme Court of Missouri, said of him : " Nature made him a great man, and one unusually fitted to be

a leader. His personal magnetism made him an orator, with scarce a peer." He classed him as next to Benton, the ablest statesman Missouri had ever put forth. Not only was he clear and forceful in argument before courts, but, as one who had often heard him said, " he could come as near making black appear white as any man in the world, when in his palmy days he appeared before juries." He was social in his nature, and never forgot a face or name. In person he was tall and thin, and his commanding figure was such as to attract attention anywhere. With high cheek bones and large mouth, he was thought by those who had seen and heard Henry Clay to re semble the great Kentucky statesman, both in appearance and in manner of delivery. His clear, distinct enunciation and fascinating voice lent a charm to him as a speaker that was truly captivating to the listener. That this able and brilliant man should have died so soon is to be regretted. That no stone or monument has ever been erected to his memory by the people of his adopted State is to their lasting discredit. To the credit of a noble daughter, be it said, a suit able monument has recently been placed at his grave.