The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-11
Chief Justice Appleton.

The banquet TO Chief Justice Appleton In
Bangor last evening was a fitting compli-
ment to an honored magistrate at the close
OF long and useful career in the service of
the State. No Office which Maine can confer
upon citizen exceeds in dignity, or in the
yaine OF the service that may be rendered to
the people, that of the chief justice of the
highest court. The Gogernorship is an
honorable office, but everybody knows its
aFties may be creditably performed in all or
oInary times by men whose incompetence for
ti'e Office of chief justice is apparent. The
senator or representative in Congress has an
honorable Office worthy of the ambition of
any accomplished and high-minded citizen.
But after all an upright, learned and cour-
ageous judiciary which faithfully interprets
the law, determines justice between man
and man in the differences that are certain
to arise, and exalts the principles of equity
and righteousness, is the bulwark of liberty
in free State, and the conservator of equal
rights.
To have worn the ermine through long
term without stain, to have commanded by
lofty character and rigid fidelity in duty the
respect and the confidence of men of all
parties, all sects all prejudices, all interests,
to have made the motives of the law seem
right TO have illumined its darkness, Illus
trated its fairness, broadened it's founda-
tions,so administered it that those who suffer
by It make no complaints of the courts de-
crees, and those who profit by ii feel no obli-
CATION to the judge, this is to have deserved
by high and noble service to the State the
praise of good men. The rewards of honor
and the distinction of fame
Chief Justice Appleton has merited all
the good words said about him last evening.
His career has been illustrious. We do not
mean that it has been popular in the sense
that politicians esteem popularity. His
work has not been done to secure the favor
of the unthinking or to win the suffrages of
men who are persuaded rather than en-
lightened Fortunately placed above the
necessity of seeking constant popular ap-
proval he has done his work calmly, steadi-
ly, industriously, and now when men look
back upon it as accomplished they perceive
eaoo IL Shiaco nleu tLtO iiSAO VI WiouOlu, anu
will help to make plain the way of duty to
those who come after him. In the seclusion
of the study and amid the earnest contests
of the court room he has steadfastly sought
Justice with a singleness of purpose known
and admired of all men, and now his name
Is linked with hers in the appreciation of a
law-abiding and happy community.
The occasion last evening abounded in
congratulation to him. Coming from his
professional brethren it no doubt had a PEE
culiar sweetness and consolation But il
the members of the bar are qualified by their
more intimate knowledge and association TO
judge of his career more critically, and there
fore to praise it more inteliigently he may
nevertheless feel certain that in their CON
gratulations they voiced Resentment of the
whole people of the State upon whom the
lesson of his life of labor aud devotion in the
public service will not be lost. From every
class of the community comes, if he could
but hear it, the same honest praise and the
same cordial good wishes which fell on his
ears last night Honor and veneration will
be his portion while he dwells among
men, and after he is called hence he will be
long remembered as magistrate of exem-
plary wisdom and purity.
At the time we write it is not certain
whether the Republicans or Democrats hava