Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1818-03-31
@ott(auS.
Tuesday, March 81, 1918.

The District Court of the United States for
this District was holden at Wiscasset on Tuesday
the 18th last according 10 adjournment. Al the
opening of the Court, Which was accompanied with
PRAYER by the Rev Mr.. Packard, an able, lucid
and Iesrned charge was delivered 10 the grand
Jury bv the Hon. JU DEE PARRIs, on the occasion
Of his being first called 10 preside in this Judicial
ef6ce--prelaced with just and interesting tribute
TO the character and services OF bis venerable pre-
decesscr. Though little disposed 10 remark in any
manner upon proceedings ola Judicial character
we cannot refrain at this time from expressing our
satisfaction al The vivid and spontaneous tesimo
rial readered on this occasion from The bench 90
the eminent merits ofthe Honorable Judge, by
whom il had been so long and respectfully occupied,
and its duties discharged with such uniform digni-
", amenity and fidelity. In the good wishes
which follow him into bis voluntary retirement we
are sure there is no one but will cordially unite,
that has had the opportunity Of witnessing the con-
slant exercise OF those distinguished virtues dis
crirninated with SO much justice, and emphasis, IN
The Following extract which we feel our
selves under obligation for having been permitted
to make ;--and among the consultations attending
upon bis declining years indicated with such APP
proprsteness, may be respectfully added that
which i, derived from the suspicious prospect of
long and beneficial administration Of public justice
in this important tribunal from the age, talent,
learning assduity and popularity OF his successor.
Gentlemen Of the Grand Jury,
"ln entering upon the discharge Of the
duties of the Office of Judge of this Court,
to which have recently been appointed, ii
cannot be expected that should be so per-
fectly acquainted with all the forms of prac
iice, peculiar in admiralty proceedings, as
was nv venorahle rredereSsor
That upright and worthy Judge, select
ed BY Washington from the highest judicial
tribunal in this Commonwealth, possessing
strong, active and discriminating mind, well
stored with legal information, after having
from this bench administered justice in mercy
for near thirty years, has voluntarily retired
10 the bosom of his family.-IH this retireA
ment may the remaining years of his useful
life be rendered pleasant TO himself, as well
by the recollection Of past services and the
manifestations of the respect of his fellow
citizens, as by the anticipation of at last re
ceiying the sentence of the righteous frsn
the Judge of all the earth. ..u|
:. To succeed man so highly respected for
integrity, for judicial learning, for humane
feelings and for all theIchristian virtues, would
be task for any one with what fear and
trembling then should the individual attempt
it, who falls behind bis predecessor in that
wisdom, which is derived from experience by
more than half century.--lt is not without
great difhdence, that | hare been induced TO
make this attempt;-in doing it, hope |
may promise all that can be expected from in
dustrious application and upright intentions,
and that may be permitted TO anticipate,
that courtesy, which is the peculiar charac-
teristic Of the profession, from all those who
assist in the management Of the business of
this court"