Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-06

spent 1t the bar. Il vas here, in this coul
house. that his pr senes was always visiol
and his voice Was always heard Therefor
it il fitting that this court and this bar shoul'
do honor to his memory.
Hon. Samuel Titcomb said:
By the decea.e of our brother, the lega
profession, as we'll ~ the community .
large, has sustained . severe and irreparabl
loss. He labored faithfully and diligently il
behalf of his clients, and, indeed, in all tn,
relations Of life, public and private, he va
found faithful to the trusts committed 10 hi
charge. While he was so highly respected
and honored for his ability As q counsellor
and advocate. for HE sense of justice, for hi
efforts in behalf Of temperance and morality
he was ever ready to recognize and award hi.
due need of praise to those qualities in others
If, as we trust, he had much of ''that spiri
which is able to raise mortsls to the skies,
he certainly ''had none of that other spiri
which would drag angels down" Wher
in the discharge of his official duty
another honored and respected member q
this bar. in the prosecution for a cowardly
and brutal assault upon q highly esteemed
judicial officer in this county, with his accus.
toned zeal and ability, in denouncing the
crime, and indicating the rights of the com.
munity, paid a just and merited tribute OF
respect to tie character of that officer.
well remember the remark of our deceased
brother at the close of the trial, That is the
most eloquent tribute l ever heard" Ee
was not permitted to retire after a life OF
labor and industry to enjoy his we'll earned
leisure, but, true to himself and his clients,
and regardless of all personal consideration,
even of common prudence respecting his own
health, he continued in what he deemed the
path of duty to the last. Animated by his
example and duly approaching his character,
and the virtues and services of his public and
private life, let US strive to the extent Of our
ability, &c initiate all that was excellent and
praiseworthy in that life and character and
thus manifest our respect for his memory
Judge Whitehouse then said:
l concur in the sentiments expressed in the
resolutions presented. A distinguished MEM
Der of this bar, learned and accomplished
lawyer, and a respected and honored citizen,
has been suddenly removed from our midst
by death and it seems eminently fitting that
in this hall of justice which for full forty
years was the principal scene of his labors
and triumphs, we should now pause for q
day, in the midst OF the activities of bust
ness, to contemplate his achievements and
virtues, and pay just tribute of respect to
his memory. 1t is not required that should
here give any sketch of his life, or attempt
any analysis of his character. But cannot
allow the occasion to pass without some ex-
preston, however inadequate, of my admira-
ton for his great ability and success as a
lawyer his worth as a man, and his kindness
as friend.
Joseph Baker was prominently endowed
intellectually, but he never assumed in pro-
fessional contests that the brilliancy of his
genius would give him the victory. He is
rather an example of the greatness which may
be achieved by thorough mental discipline,
and systematic, untiring industry. He man
ifestly acquired in early life habits of correct
observation and ANALYTICAL thought for he pos
sessed in remarkable degree that clearness
of apprehension which underlies all practical
wisdom, and that facility of accurate express
sion and concise and methodical statement
which gave his knowledge exceptional power,
and rendered all his professional papers
models in legal practice. Although he mod
estly disclaimed it, he undoubtedly possessed,
also, in no ordinary degree, that legal in
stinct which enabled his mind to assimilate
the principles of law without the arbitrary
exercise of memory. But in the discharge of
the duties of his profession, this fundamental
learning was not his sole reliance. In every
case it was tested and verified with the utmost
care and discrimination, by reference to the
latest authorities. He thus entered the forum
infinitely equipped for the contest, with a
detailed plan of battle with the movements
noted for every contingency that might arise.
He speedily discovered the material issues
involved in his @use, and readily perceived
the true relations of the facts in evidence.
Ia. ~ nd cd 10 no
still flow of the deep waters and in the con-
duct of trials he was calm and imperturable
unless greatly aroused by the discovery of
deliberate fraud or falsehOod in his oppon-
ent's case, when the force of his just indigna-
ton was promptly felt. His closing argument
was an admirable grouping of the prominent
facts of his case; concise, logical, and with
out repetition, but complete and effective.
At the same time he had Imagination to give
vividness to every scene, and sentiment to
find all the pathos in the events of human life.
Thus for more than quarter OF century he
was acknowledged as one of the ablest and
most reliable councillors, and powerful and
eloquent advocates in the State of Maine.
Although he was repeatedly the recipient
of political honors from his fellow -citizens,
his mind was devoted only to the philosophy
of the law, and his life work was its practice.
II
plause. and had no respect for that popular
ity which is run after but does not follow"
Though he touched nothing which he did
not adorn"; yet like the tabled Antaus, he
drew invincible strength only from the solid
earth in his chosen field of professional
labor. He held progressive views on
all public questions, but was firm
and Incorporating in his opin
ions; and when panoplied in his convictions
of right, respecting either public or profess
sional duty, he seemed to exemplify the ia
miliar lines of Horace:
"Justum ct tenacem propositi virum
Non civium ardor prsva jubentium
Non vutus instantis tyranni
Mente Quatit solida."
He had'no envy of another's fame, but was
always generous in his commentator Of the
ability and learning of his associates at the
bar; and to the youthful and deserving prac-
titioner such approval brought not only what
Lord Mansfield termed the ''sensibility which
praise from the praiseworthy never fails to
give" but often the encouragement needed
for continued effort and higher exertion.
The kindly and cordial welcome which
personally received from him, without for
NAL introduction, on my admission to the bar