The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-07


the earnrstness of his cxertions. But his inter
est In all the questions evolved In the bushes
thereby submitted TO his direction was as In
tense as that which grew out Of his ordnar.
professional employment. Whether his ellen
wa, the State or the individual. he Lever pre-
sumeI TO shrk the responsibilities Of the oath
by which he was introduced to the labors OF tn
Bar. Though not favored in his eloquenc'
with that physical power which strong anS
well modulated voice gives to the aiv9ca's, ~
his positions were always well seiecteu anu aoi,
enforced. lie never relinquished his client'i
case without exhansting every appreciaole ar
rument which could be brought to bear upof
n His soul was In his profession, and h'
could not relax bis fidelity to Il.
During many years Of the latter part or hi
life his health had been very inhrm, and a do
of nervousness thus came over him, indu'
cling an excitability which, TO those unacquaint'
ed with him. might sometimes indicate an un'
kindly temperament. not under the control O.
a proper regard for the sensibilities and rights
OF others. But Mr.. Appleton's conscientious
ness and deep sense of the imperative obliga;
tons of right were ever active, and he could
not calmly brook any infringement in others o.
what he deemed TO be just and true. believe
he always felt In his heart, In all such cases
that his adversary was not acting or speaking
according TO his convictions Of right or truth
His sensitive mind was alive to all the proprie'
ties of life and especially to professional comfy
and he conceived these to be disregarded and
violated whenever, in litigation, he supposed
opposing counsel was resorting to any improp'
err artifce Of fallacy to accomplish his purpo.
ses. lie cherished no unkind feelings toward
any one. None such could find lodgment II
his soul.
But while Jurisprudence and its administra
tration must necessarily be the one absorbing
subject with him who would attain emincnce a
the Bar, the various relations OF life have de
mands upon him which he cannot consistently
ignore. The man who Is exclusively the law
yer is very far from being the most useful mem
Der Of society. Every one owes imperative du
ties TO his family and friends-to community
and 10 his country. The tendency Of life o
study and meditation is TO make men not only
TO appear, but actually to be, indifferent to the
sympathies, interests, associations anu pleas.
ures of every day life. To many, MIR. Apple
ton might seem To have distracted himself toe
much from his social relations. But such m
impression Is very far from the truth. In hi'
family he was very kindly and afectionate
warm-hearted, maniiesting TO all the most deli
cate sensibiity, and ever anxious to minister to
their happiness. In his Inequalities he was ex'
tremely cordial, and in the society OF his friends
very genial and communicative. As a citizen
of this great republic, no one exceeded him IN
his patriotic impulses. I believe that, In all
his political action. he was moved By his sense
of right and the monitions Of duty. His pat
riotism, in his last days, was excited to very
great degree. His soul was absorbed In the
great question now in issue; and his anxieties
in relation to the Government were so intense,
that In his state of physical infirmity they may
have FASTENED the crisis that so suddenly sum
dered the thread Of life.
Mr.. Appleton was a strong friend OF temper
anee, aud every movement for public reform,
and doubt not was truly religious. lie did
not make public profession OF his christian
faith, There are circumstances in the lives OF
many deep-thinking, far-seeing good men,
which leads them to the conclusion to take
home to their hearts. in its full force, the res.
ponse Of the Apostle TO the inquiry, Hast
thou faith, have it to thyself before God. -
The issues afford indubitable evidence of the
character of the fountain. a life and CONVEX
sation In full accordance with moral and chris
tian obligation. utters language more power
full and convincing than any words, on any &C.
casion, however solemn, or under whatever
sanction. believe him to have been rigidly
honest; and use that term not in the limited
signiicancy Of business life only. but in It's
highest import, honest toward God; and the
monumental inscription, ian honest lawyer"
would be more appropriate to commemorate
his virtues than any one which could be culled
from all the fulsome literature OF the grave
yard.
Nearly seventy lawyers, whose residence and
field of labor were in this county, have deceased
since judicial tribunals were here established
or these many were men whose intellectual
power, vigorous sense OF moral obligation, ur-
bane aud honorable department, hayeshed such
a radiance ON the profession that generous
and intelligent community have awarded TO II
n high regard, rs manifested in the selection OF
so many of its members for important Official
station. In the list of those who have thus con-
tributel largely to give character - the lar,
we may well class MIR. Appleton; and while
over the hears of his relatives and personal
friends his sudden departure has come with
soul-subduing power, in the heart OF the socie-
ty In which he moved nothing but thoughts OF
GOOD, truth, kindness and moral worth will
ever cluster around his memory. He has left
20 the Bar bright and honorable example;
and Il will well beht the records OF this Court,
to render their aid in transmitting that exam
pie for the light and guidance Of all who may
be hereafter indicted TO the important position
of counsellors at this bar.
REMARKS or JUDGE RICE.
Judge Rice remarked that he most heartily
COUCuEttu WIN tnV uitihNNAs va WV '''N
resolutions which had been so appropriately
presented. They paid just tribute to the
memory Of deceased brother, though in carly
life he had not the pleasure of personal nc,
quaintance with the deceased, living as he did
IN distant part of the State, yet he had long
known him by reputation as distinguished
CITIZEN. For the last twelve years he had known
him intimately as a member OF the legal pro
fesson. and in his official capacity of Attorney
General for the State. In those relations, as
well rs in his private life, we have found him
an intelligent, industrious and conscientious
man, a good lawyer, and good citizen. While
he Was ever true 20 his client In his professional
practice. and to the interests OF the State in the
discharge OF his official duties, he never pur-
chased success by resort TO artifcc or unfair
practice, but was ever anxious that right and
Justice should prevail. OF his ardent patriot
ism no man who knew him could doubt. lie
has LEFT an unsullied reputation. His memory
should be cherished as an example worthy OF
imitation and respect.
The resolutions were then ordered to he
entered upon the records, and the court I'D.
journed.
From the Bangor Journal.
Mr.. Swoat's Speoch-Maine Democ-
racy Illustrated.