Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-14
present upon this glorious reunion of the

sons aud daughters Of "0ld Oxford This
IS indeed an occasion long to be remem-
bered. green spot in the desert OF our
daily tolls and labors, one that in after
wears will be remembered with feclin IS OF
unalloyed pleasure, one 10 which the heart
will turn as naturally and with all the
warmth and pride that the weary trav-
eler feels As he turns his eyes upon the gor-
geous ensign of the republic when return
ING from a foreign land. But to my sub
iect, for my time Is short. The early law
yers of "Old Oxford" were noble band
of brave and legal men, men OF education,
integrity, ability, sterling worth, who
.migratsd TO that land or mountains, for
est and plain, to aid In founding and build
inc up new homes under and in accord
snce with the constitution aud laws OF the
republic, yea, to strengthen the hands ofour
rulers by their loyal aud noble conduct, 10
aid the people IN forming and putting 10 or
der the various and necessary machinery
for managing their municipal affairs. by
the force OF their character and their good
judgement that they were enabled by wise
counsel to shape and greatly aid the peo-
ME in their new duties, thereby proving
themselves coaservators OF both public
| and private rights. As body they were
also distinguished for their love Unpopular
liberty and equal rights. They proved them
selves an indispensable necessity among
the people OF that Switzerland OF America
who soon learned that lawyers were in-
deed a blessing, often sought Tor, yea,
needed, even at the bed Of death, without
whose aid and counsel many lonely wid-
ow and orphan would have been deprived
h.N.t eala
less in the land of their fathers. Among
the able lawyers OF "Old Oxford, VINO Tor
many years ranked among the very nrst
in New England, was the venerable Gen
Fesseuden. He was born at Fryeourg,
read law with Judge Dana, opened an OF
dee at New Gloucester In lsO9, and soon
took leading position at the bar. he
moved TO Portland In 1922, where he soon
obtained the great reputation which he so
richly earned by his untiriug industry ana
integrity. | knew him personally as
Young man better than any OF the other
able lawyers OF his age who had lett the
county. Ny familiarity in school boy
DAYS with several ofhis sons al his resi-
dence on India Street enabled me 10 meet
him frequently. | well remember that
manly and noble form with Kind word
| for all. the bondman "a well IS the free
msp. the poor as well as the rich He was
one of the great men of New England, a.
honorable. as faithful and as conscientious
! as any that ever adorned a forum or grsced
legislative assembly. He was in fact a
! christian gentleman. He was the father
of 4 most honorable family. Among his
sons | have only time 10 name William
Pitt. one Of the ablcst and pureSt states
men that ever occupied q seat In that au.
gust body, the Senate OF the Culted states,
| who. had ne been spared 20 his country a
| little longer, would. in my opinion, have
| been elected President OF the United States
| and may well add, that none could be
| found more worthy Of that exalted po-
sition.
! The next in order that occurs 10 me IS Al
| bion X. Paris who was born st Hebron
and soon after completing his studies To-
Gated AZ Paris where he practiced his pro-
geSsiou many years successfully, and AFTER
wards a. 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 Brownaeld,
| long a resident of Portland, was not only
/ a man of learning and ability, but one OF
the mos, genial aud kind hearted men
that ever graced the Bench OF Maine.
! That great lawyer. the lste Samuel \.
/ Bradley OF Saco, was native oIFyeburg,
| and takes high rank among the able law
ycrs Of New England. Timothy Carter.
an accomplished gentleman, native OF
| Bethel, moved 10 Paris where he opened
an Office and did fine business. but died
quite Young while n member OF Congress.
VIM h. Porter OF Turner's promising law
yer. also died quite early. VIM. Frye oil
Bethel. 4 most honorable man snd good
LAWYER, died many years ago. Then there
was Judge Lyman Rawson of RumiOrd aud
there are doubtless others whose names
do not now recall.
Among other early lawyers who figured
prominently AZ the oxford bar and brought
a large amount Of business 10 it, were Col.
). \. Bradley, Judah Dana, Stephen Chase
and John :. Barrows OF Fryeburs aud
Charles Whitman OF Waterford, Jairus :.
Keath OF oxford, and Mr.. Farewell Of Dix
field. All these passed away before my
recollection save Stephen Chase and Mr..
| Farewell.
On coming to the oxford bar, now near
" IS wears ago, found some OF the aged
!
whom | remember none more distinctly, or
with more pleasure than that genial gen
tleman and able lawyer, stephen Emery OF
Paris, afterwards Judge OF the District
Court. and father Of our chairman. lie
died many years since, respected and
lameuted by all who knew him. JOS. q.
Cole also OF Paris, was a fine man and a
good lawyer. lie was for many years
I - 4 H.. on,
pointed 10 the Bench, where he presided
with great ability. Among the safe and
! venerable CounsellOrs OF tie old school
remember. with pleasure, my old friend
Judge Reuel WaShburn, OF LivermOre,-
able. independent, industrious and incor-
ruptible, man OF great usefulness and an
honor TO the community where he dwelt
and lived 50 long. Passing peacefully
away al a green old age he rests in peace
among the rock-bound hills he loved Sc
well.
I also well remember Peter c. Virgin OF
Rumford, who was man or ability, pleas
ing address and great modesty OF character
He was the father of our worthy and able
Judge OF the Supreme judicial Court. lie
vi Whitman OF Norway, and Levi Stowel
OF Paris, were among the good and true
men Of that county, safe and reliable coun-
sellers, and always among the faithful
found. Samuel F. Brown OF Buckteld wa.
one OF the best men ever knew, and a
good msn for the community, striving t.
keep the peace among his towusmeu
and thereby doing much good. He re-
moved 10 Bangor about 1851, aud died
some years since, much respected by all OF
his acQuaintanCes. / also found among
the members Of the Bar another and young
er class OF able and accomplished men
men Of pluck and courage who believed in
their own divine destiny, and that labor
would bring 20 them is own sweet reward
Among them / have only time to name s
few,-Chas. w. Walton, then OF Dixfeld
now the able, keen and sharp Judge OF the