The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-04-20
MISCELLANY.
THE LATE JUDGE TEACHER


VA
sonally know him, may duly appreciate the
motives and feelings 81 those Of hts friends,
who through life have held him 10 high esti-
nation, and have regarded him as one Of the
purest and most excellent Of men IN all the
public and private relations Of life. He was
born in Yarmouth, in the county Of Barnsta-
bic. 10 the year 1854, and used to delight Ia
tracing back his lineage 10 one OF those grave,
sturdy, aud resolute men vino fled fromiPerse
cution 90 account Of their religious opinions,
and thought even the most undesirable parts
OF this then savage country, with the ENJOY
ment Of civil and religious liberty, paradise
compared with the country which they left,
where ecclesiastical tyranny overshadowed
and bhshted al the Datural and artificial
beauties which ages Of civilization had i'm
proved and created. His pTogenitors had for
several generations, occupied the same farm
IN the town Of Falmouth, and have always
been among the most respectable Of the yeo-
many Of the country. Judge TEACHER was
prepared for college by the Rev. Mr.. Hilliard.
then the minister Of the adjJining town Of
Barnstable, and afterward OF Cambridge.
He was graduated at Harverd College 10
1875, being contemporary with King, Gore,
Freeman, Sewall, Dawes, and other distin-
guished men, who through life retained for
him those sentiments Of affection and attach
ment which are always engendered among
associates in the University, at the period OF
life when friendships originate aud become
fixed habits.
Having prepared himself for the profession
of law, he began the practice of il in Bidde-
Mr. a E,r a lar
and successful advocate in all the counties 10
that district, in which terms Of the Supreme
Judicial Court were established lie had a
great acuteness Of mind. much law learning,
and was able 10 bring TO his aid 10 argument
more general knowledge on scientific subjects
than any Of his competitors. Before the
adoption Of the present national constitution,
he was elected BY the legislature Of this com
monweslth one Of its delegates 10 Congress,
and afterwards was successfully chosen by
the people Of Maine a member of the House
Of Representatives in Congress, until his APP
pointment to a seat on the Supreme Judicial
Bench of this State, where he remained for
more than twenty years. While 10 Congress,
Judge Thacher was by no means an uDdistin-
guished member. The debates of that period
will show that he took an active part 10 all
the important concerns Of the time, and has
speeches will be found TO contain, in the
midst of frequent irony, and sometimes sharp
satire, much useful information and sound ar
gument. Hs opponents often covered under
the lashes Of wit and rIdiCule which he be-
slowed upon what he thought was hollow pre-
tence Of patriotism, but such was the univer-
sal opinion Of the goodness Of his heart and
the honesty of his views, that no one felt any
anger or resentment except 10 one memora-
bIe instance in which bis independent and
manly conduct did more towards bringing the
custom Of dueling into contempt, than any
thing which has occurred ia Congress before
or since. He refused 20 fight, and instead of
sinking in the opinion even Of fighting men,
overwhelmed his opponent with confusion.
On the bench Of the Supreme Canrt, J-dsa
Thacher has been faithful and upright pub
tic servant F4iz mind was well stored with
legal principles and his strong memory ena-
bled him to apply them 10 the question which
occurred, with great facility. The Organiza-
ton of the court, until the present year, ad-
united of his being relieved, by his brethren,
on account Of his advanced years, of that part
of the business which required the most per-
sonal assiduity and exposes to the most fatigue;
but his associates upon the bench have been
often heard to say that, in their consultations
upon cases argued, his discriminating powers,
sound technical knowledge and recollection
OF old cases not reported, have been invaluable
10 them. His integrity, Independence, i'm
paFtiaity aud frmness have been surpassed
BY none who adorned the seat Of justice. But
lit is In private life, among bis friends and 10
lis family, that we are 10 look for those vlr-
tues or blemishes which exhibit the real fea-
lures Of moral beauty Or dCiornity that make
up the character OF man. And il IS IN this
department that would chiefly hUll up my
departed friend as an example. His heart
was most disiLR festedy benevolent and
kind all human beings were his friends and
brothers. He either could not see faults or
he would not acknowledge them. Even the
poor criminal at the bar had sometimes more
Of his compassion than suited the stern de-
mands of justice. He had apologies and palli-
ations for every body, and although he often
INDUCED bis natural Proneness TO satire IN the
presence of those with whom lie was called
into conflict, no man can remember that he
ever said harsh thing Of any one who was
absent. He had a vein Of wit and huT1or
which irresistibly propelled him 70 put into
ludicrOus shapes the arguments and opinions
of those with whom lie entered into the war
Of words but bis heart never took side in the
struggle, and the first appearance Of wounded
feelings, would blunt his weapons, aud make
him give The field 10 bis adversary. No bet
ter proof can be given Of the universal ad-
mission Of the real kindness Ut his temper and
feelings, than the fact that those who have
been the most exposed 70 tie keenness Of his
cow ersatonal talent, have been his ardent,
most constant, most mistaken friends till his
death.-ln bis domestic relations be had DO
fault, unless an excess of kindness aud indui-
.gence be one. He lived a life OF patrisrchal
simplicity. Surrounded By bis sons and
and their children, and sharing The
government Of his family upon equal terms
with a most exemplary aud excellent vile,
bis humble dwelling sas the abode Of peace,
love, and beneyolence. Ii was also the scene
of the most unlimited, frugal hospitality where
every human face was received With wei
come. Great Personages, the President Of
fssr fnI "a L.