Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-11
Rockland Free Press.
A Tribute to Mr.. BOdwell.

Edlto, Rocktand Free Press:
During fifteen years have been acquaint.
ed, and during much of that time intimately
associated with the republican gubernatorial
candidate, Joseph r. Bodwell. Perhaps there
is DO citizen of your State widely known
here in Boston Mr.. Bodwell Certainly
there is none with a larger circle of friends.
From the day of the nomination down to the
present time, the democratic portion of the
Boston press. though taking a lively interest
in the Maine campaign, as refraiped from
any personal antagonism to Mr.. B0dwell
Even the Boston Herald, assistant-democrat
and divine mugwump-though it has stopped
to many indirect and indecent illusions to
this man because he is a friend of Mr.. Blaine.
would not countenance the charge of dishon-
esty in government contracts which has found
currency, for want of better ammunition, in
some of your home contemporaries. AS re-
CARDS the personal standing of Mr.. Bodwell
in those communities where he is best known,
perhaps can say nothing to strengthen the
regard in which he is held. | have ALWAYS
been taught, and general experience has led
me to believe, that men win large possessions
not alone by toll and native shrewdness, but
bv penurious habits. This rule has however,
a most refreshing exception in Mr.. Bodwell.
The toll and native shrewdness have new r
been absent, but Mr. Bodwel could no more
be penurious than he could be mean and
cruel His hand has slways been the most
open, and his charities have never been less
than the worthy objects which have
appeared to them. Always modest and
unassuming, his good works have been done
in, ub hova
most intimate with him, have had knowledge
of their frequency and volume. Nor do |
mean to contine myself to generalites, but
will give evidence of his christian acts in
more specific way. In the first place. it can
not be consistently denied that Mr.. Bodw ell
has never desired political preferment. 1t is
an open secret 10 those VINO stand within the
political sanctum. that such preferment has
been repeatedly offered and as repeatedly de-
clned BY him until the present campaign.
| During the whole of that busy life in which
Mr.. Bodwell has been making the record
upon which he now stands no thought of any
| political future was present with him. He
always loved what was pure and elevated in
politics, and despised the methods of the DO.
litical trckster. He has always been a warm
and consistent republican, but above all and
through all he has been layman. Sudden
~ WltHout uesife UT anticipation, Ne Is maze
conspicuous object in bitter political fight
After rounding an age which men call old,
at q time when his life work is
nearly completed, the bright and
searching light of public scrutiny is
turned upon that life. What then, have we
| found in the search Scores upon scores OF
righteous, honorable deeds which were hid.
den modestly from public view, but which
the bright light has made visible Such deeds
as have given hope and new life to those who
| were respondent; aid and comfort to those
who touched his charitable heart. | have
seen the down-hearted merchant, whose bust.
ness intimacy had cost Mr.. Bodwell thou
sands of dollars, go from his presence With
| cheering words and hearty sympathy and &C
companied by the more substantial token of
additional money with which to start anew
have seen the young man, just starting 10
the battle of life, full of ambition and pluck
but without the wherewithsl to put them into
| action, and without claim of relationship
upon this man. go from his presence cheered,
invigorated and aided both from his heart
| and from his pocket. | have seen the bust
ness friend threatened with serious loss, and
| have seen this mans hand, all unsolicited
save BY his Christian heart, reach forth,
thoughtless of self, to pluck him from disas-
ter. do not know the extent of his wealth,
nor how that wealth would compare
with that of other rich men in your