The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-09-24
JUSTICE CLIFFORD.
Action on His Death in the Circuit Court.

-~~~ - ~~~O 49,
Yesterday afternoon was the time appointed
| for the presentation of resolutions to the Cir
cult Court, on the death of the late Mr.. Justice
Clifford of the United States Supreme Bench
The portrait of the deceased was draped in
black as we'll as the judges bench. A number
of the most prominent members of the Cum
berland Bar and several clergymen were pres
emit. On the coming in of the Court, District
| Attorney Lunt rose and in few appropriate
remarks, offered the following preamble and
resolutions which were accepted and ordered
to be spread upon the records:
| Nathan Clifford, for twenty three years asso-
ciate Justice Of the Supreme Court of the
| United States, and assigned to this circuit dur
| ing all that period. having died on the 10Th
| day of July of the present year, the members
| of the bar and other officers of the court have
| convened to express their sorrow for so great
| loss their affectionate regard for the man, and
| their respect for his memory.
| His life was long, faithful and laborious,
| His learning was profound, exact, wide and
| varied. His character was pure and noble.
He was possessed of an invincible will, and a
| calm, strong comprehensive intellect. In the
discharge of any trust he had no motive but
| duty, no aim but right.
His long and distinguished term of service in
the legislative and executive branches of the
| governments both of this State, and of the
nation, are proofs of the variety and scope of
his abilities. Superadded to this, however, as
a federal judge he has achieved an abiding
fame which will continue as long as our con-
stitution and laws survive.
His judgments and opinions as exhibited in
the official reports of the Supreme Court and
of the first circuit, manifest the assiduity OF
his motive, the industry of his life and the
great powers of his mind. The dignity OF his
character has added to the reverence with
which the American people have happily been
led to regard their national judiciary; his ex-
haustive and accurate knowledge has illumin-
ated the philosophy and greatly promoted the
development of the principles of American
jurisprudence. The sauvity and courtesy of
his manner and the kindness of his heart won
and retained the regard and attachment OF all
who knew him. Therefore,
ResolUed, That the bar and officers of this
court deeply lament the death of the late
Associate Justice Clifford and will reverently
cherish the memory of his distinguished abii-
ties and elevated character.
Resolued, That the District Attorney of the
United States for this district be requested to
move the Court to direct these proceedings
spread upon the records of the Court, and that
a copy thereof be transmitted to the family of
the late Associate Justice accompanied by the
expression of our heartfelt sympathy in their
bereavementl
At the close of the reading of the resolutions
remarks were offered by Hon. j. w Bradbury
of Augusta, Hon. Bion Bradbury and Hon.
Nathan Webb of this city. The remarks of
Mr.. Bradbury of Augusta, were an exhaustive
and elegant memorial to the deceased jurist,
worthy of the president of the Maine Histori-
cal Society, while those of the other gentlemen
were alike elegant in diction, displaying a
profound acquaintance with Justice Clifford |
and full appreciation of his qualities.
At the close of the addresses, Judge Fox |
replied as follows:
JUDGE Fox's REPLY.
Gentlemen Of the Bar,-When one of our |
number, with whom we have been closely |
associated in the practice OF our profession, and
to whom we have become strongly attached, is |
removed from US forever, it is natural to ex-
press the regret we feel at his departure, and |
to desire that some permanent record may re-
main of the respect We have entertained for |
him who has gone. The propriety of indis-
criminate eulogy may well be doubted, but
certainly, no one can withhold cordial ap-
prevail of your testimonial to the life and char
acter of the Judge, who for almost quarter of
century has so wisely and learnedly presided
over this tribunal-it is but justice to his men,
ory that the records of this Court should for
ever bear perpetual testimony of the high
regard entertained for him by this bar, from
its appreciation of the honorable manner in
which he discharged the duties which deyolyed
upon him.
Judge Clifford did not enjoy the advantages
of a liberal education-the district school, of
his native town, in the adjacent State, together
with few years at an academy, frequently in
terrupted by employment as teacher, were
all the opportunities at his command to pre-
pare him for the study of his profession, ex-
cepting as he was enabled, by his personal ex-
art nd ipdn IA ]
provement and knowledge Conscious of his
own capability, with just self appreciation,
he resolved, in early youth, to adopt the pro-
fession of the law, and with that object at the
age of Is, became student, in the Office of
one of the leading lawyers in Grafton comfy
In 1927, he was admitted to the practice in
New Hampshire and sopn aft bs 9 rssssngae e Mnf
his removal to this city-his persistant applica-
ton and diligent attention to matters entrusted
to him, attracted to him many friends; BUSH
nes9l creased, and he was very soon recognlz-
ed, aYone of the most industrious, trustworthy
and successful lawyers in that section Of the
State, although at that time, the bar OF York
county was honored, by some OF the most
learned and distinguished in our profession.
Mr.. Clifford at once commanded the respect
and confidence of his fellow citizens. and in
few years. was honored by their bestoging
upon him, some of the most important offices
in their gilt.
After 4 service for two terms, as member
was appointed Attorney General of the United
States, and subsequently minister to Mexico.
In all of these high and varied trusts Mr..
Clifford was never found wanting to the occa-
sion, industrious in the highest degree, never
imposing on another any duty which fairly
devolyed on himself, whatever might be the
call, he always recognized that the responsible
l1ty was on him, and it therefore received his
personal attention and oversight
With so much honor to himself and SO great
ord nd oft IN fh0 UuDilC welfare had |
he filled these positions, that in 1883 he was
appointed to the high and responsible off1ce,
from which he has SO lately been removed.
1t cannot be denied that at the time OF his
nomination as Justice of the Supreme Court
there were some in our profession, who queS-
toned its propriety, they had known him as an !
ardent politician and had not realized and &C
knowledged the judicial qualities he possessed
and which SO eminently qualified him Tor TINS
position.
His confirmation was not immediate and
some of his personal friends in this State, who
were not in political accord with nm, ex-
erted themselves in his behalf, ond not WIN
out effect as his nomination was confirmed
and most safe and useful judge secured, who
during the long period, he has held tie Office,
has on all occasions shown himself the equal
of any of his associates. The hrst opinion he |
delivered in the Supreme Court, Goodman vs..
Symonds demonstrated, that a most learned, |
diligent Industrious judge had been placed on
the bench, and this is but an example and pre-
cedent of all subsequent Judgments OF TINS DIS
tinguished iurist.
The most marked and striking characteristic |
of Judge Clifford was his untiring industry-it |
NAV well be doubted, if any tribunal, in any |
country, has ever been favored with ajudge |
who for the same length of time has devoted SO |
many hours to the laborious duties OF his office |
as has Judge Clifford. In review OF the life |
Of Lord Campbell it is said that no no man sue
hard work"-such was Judge Clifford's entire |
judicial life Steady constant severe ~ hard
the District Judges in his circuit were well ad-
yaed in and most ts Of hsm ana had bn5
afford the Judge but little relief in disposing |
q the matters pending before the Circuit
nearly all devolved upon him for many years,
and after long and wearisome term at WASH |
ington the Judge was generally required to
devote his entire vacation to circuit duties,
without opportunity for rest or relaxation;
when not presiding in court, examining the
causes which had been argued before him, and
preparing his opinions, in which were gathered,
all the authorities then in existence, rela-
ea4so, r1r,da idoro ION,