The Portland daily press., 1882-03-06

A single family in Old OXFORD mas ralseu
| two Governors for two states. four members
of Congress from four different states,
| whose aggregate time of service amounts
| to thirty years; one minister to France, one
member of Gen. Grants cabinet, and one
Major General in the army of the rebellion.
God bless the memory of the mother OF
that wonderful family; she has more stars
in her diadem than ever glittered in the
crowns of the mostsbrilliant Queens OF the
old world. Daniel Webster was once resi-
dent of Oxford County, taught the OLD
academy at Fryeburg, recorded deeds ior
| 25 cents a piece, and firted with the DeanU-
full girls of the old Pickwacket Valley. IN
doubtedly the inspirations of that Wlld,
romantic region contributed largely 10
make him the greatest statesman OF this,
or any other country. President Frank
Pierce was once pedagogue in Oxford
county, where he learned on small scale
the science of local government and the
''true inwardness" of "squatter soVer-
eighty
But my limited time will prevent my
further enlarging upon the brilliant states
manship of Old Oxford. The public record
OF her sons is found inscribed upon the
public scrolls, not only at the national capl-
tol but in every state in the Union.
So long as the stately, towering hills q
| Old Oxford shall stand-the bulWarks Oh
liberty and freedom; so long as her maJes-
tic rivers shall course their steady marcn
to the sea; SO long as the herdsman's song
shall resound from hilltop to hilltop, and
| it's green valleys re-echo its inspiring notes
so long shall be found written in flaming
| capitals upon the arches of sky, the fame,
the renoWn, and glory Of the Bears OF eOld
Oxford.
After Gen. Perry's response came,
The Mi,atstry-To their devotion and zeal New
England largely owes her education ana cuituIe,
her morals and manhood-a debt we do not1 1uDy
acknowledge and which we never can repay
Responded to by Rev. E. G. Cummings.
This gentleman who is well known III
this city and state as remarkably ready
and graceful speaker, in response to the
above mentioned toast, gave an interesting
sketch of the early ministry OF Albany, the
speakers native town, as well as OF some
of the clergymen who have gone forth
from Oxford county. His remarks were
listened to with close attention.
The evening was now so far spent, it be-
ing II. 80 O'Clock, that on motion of Hon.
S. e. Spring it was voted to omit the re-
mainder of the toasts and responses.
1t was also voted that those who were to
respond be requested to furnish abstracts
of their speeches in order that they might
be published with the other part OF the
literary exercises. We accordingly print
ANSPOAS~St
in the order they would have been delivered
had there been time.
With parting song from the quartette,
the company then separated, highly pleased
with the success of the reunion, but re-
gretting the rapid flight of time.
The Bar-We may be proud that nowhere does it
better recognize the high character OF Its calling or
tegrity than here, and that among its members we
may boast SO large share.
Responded to by S. C. Andrews.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: In
responding to toast SO .fraught with the true
interest of the people of Maine, 1t becomes me
to be careful and conservative in my remarks
as / fear many people do not look upon us as
we look upon ourselves But hrst permlb me
to congratulate not only you Mr.. Chairman.
but all present upon this glorious reunion OF
the sons and daughters Of "Old Oxford" This
is indeed an occasion long to be remembered, a
green spot in the desert of our daily tolls and
labors, one that in after years will be re-
membered with feelings OF unalloyed pleasure,
one to which the heart will turn as naturally
and with all the warmth and pride that the
weary traveller feels as he turns his eyes upon
the gorgeous ensign of the republic when re-
turning from foreign land. But to my sub
iect, for my time is short. The early lawyers
of "Old Oxford" were noble band of brave
and legal men, men of education, integrity,
ability, sterling worth, who emigrated to that
land of mountains, forest and plain, to aid IN
founding and building up new homes under
| and in accordance with the constitution and
| laws of the republic, yea, to strengthen the
| hands of our rulers by their loyal and noble
| conduct, to aid the people in forming and put
| ting in order the various and necessary ma
| chinery for managing their municipal aHalrs.
By the force of their character and their
| good Judgment they were enabled by wise
| counsel to shape and greatly aid the people IN
| their new duties, thereby proving themselves
| conservators of both public and private rights.
| AS body they were also distinguished Tor
their love of popular liberty and equal rights
! They proved themselves an Indispensable neces.
| sity among the people of that Switzerland OF
! America, who soon learned that lawyers were IN
| deed blessing, often sought for, yea, needed,
| even at the bed of death, without whose aid and
| counsel many a lonely widow and orphan
| would have been deprived of their all and be.
| come houseless and homeless in the land OF
| their fathers Among the able lawyers OF "Old
| Oxford" who for many years ranked among
| the very first in New England, was the vener-
| able Gen. Fessenden. He was bora at Fryeburg,
read law with Judge Dana, opened an Office at
New Gloucester in 1909, and soon took a lead,
ing position at the bar. He moved to Portland
in 1922, where he soon obtained the great
reputation which he go richly earned by his
untiring industry and integrity. l knew
| him personally as young man Detter
| than any of the other able lawyers OF his
age who had left .,haO1 the county unit dsIs My
with several of his sons at his residence on In
| dia street enabled me to meet him frequently.
well remember that manly and noble form
with kind word for all, the bondman as
well as the freeman, the poor as well
as the rich. He was one OF great
men of New England, as honorable, as
faithful and as conscientious as any that ever
adorned forum or graced a legislative assem-
bly,. He was in fact Christian gentleman.
He was the father of a most honorable family.
Among his SONS | have only time to name
| William Pitt, one of the ablest and purest
statemen that ever occupied a seat In tnat
august body, the Senate of the United States,
who, had he been spared to ms country llstle ha
longer, would, in my opinion, have been
elected President of the United States, and L
NAV well add, that none could be found more
worthy of that exalted position.
The next in order that occurs 10 me Is Al,
bion K Paris, who was born at Hebron and
soon after completing his studies located at
Paris, where he practiced his profession many
years successfully, and afterwards as Judge OF
the United States and State courts, acquired
honorable fame More of his history has been
related on this occasion by another.
Judge Joseph Howard OF Browntield, long a
resident of Portland, was not only man OF
learning and ability, but one OF the most
genial and kind hearted men that ever graced
the Bench of Maine.
That l,great lawyer, the late Samuel A.
Bradley of Saco, was native OF Fryeburg,
and takes high rank among the able lawyers
of New England. Timothy Carter, an accom-
plished gentleman, native of Bethel, moved
to Paris, where he opened an office and did a
fine business, but died quite young while q
member of Congress. VIM. X. Porter OF
Turner, promising lawyer, also died quite
early VIM. Frye of Bethel, a most honorable
man and good lawyer, died many years ago:
Then there was Judge Lyman Rawson OF
Rumford and there are doubtless others whose
names do not now recall.
Among other early lawyers who figured
prominently at the Oxford bar, and
brought large amount of business to it, were
Col. S. A. Bradley, Judah Dana, Stephen
Chase and John S. Barrows of Fryeburg and
Charles Whitman of Waterford, Jairus S.
Keath of Oxford, and Mr.. Farewell of Dix
field All these men passed away before my
recollection save Stephen Chase and Mr.
Farewell.
On coming to the Oxford Bar, now nearly 30
years ago,sI found some of the aged members
still in active;practicle,a among whofn remem-
Der none more distinctly or with more pleasure
than that genial gentleman and able lawyer,
Stephen Emery of Paris, afterwards Judge OF
the District Court, and father of our excellent
chairman. He died many years since, respect
ed and lamented by all who knew him. Jos.
c. Cole, also of Paris was fine man and a
good lawyer. He was for many years Clerk OF
Courts, and subsequently was appointed to the
Bench, where he presided with great ability.
Among the safe and venerable counsellors of
,l.aH xrTfth MIN CI1E0