Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-05-31
JUDGE DANFoRTH.


wrap his cloak around him, be could affirm
rha, be had scrupaioasly kept the covenant ::
.Tros Tyysnsse pashs nuilo disevsmine
ageturr The world is better because he
hved.
His wisdom, his learning, his ripe kn0wl-
edge Of the lsv a. . science are all sritten
in the Repors. To him no monument 10
necessary. Modest and unsssuming he
would ask No piAudits to-day from the
world He WAS content to satisfy his own
conscience. Crowned with the lsurels Of q
we'll spent life, he faced his CYeator pre-
after without fear and without reproach.
Well might he have said:
"Eregf monumestxm acre pereuniuS."
Mindful Of our great loss. grateful for
the inspiration of his character And his
life, the Kennebec Bar presents to his
associates the following Resolution and
prsys that it may be inscribed upon the
records of the Court.
Resolved, That the memory Of ouI
friend and brother, the Honorable Charles
DADforth, will ever serve as an example
for his fellow men to lead them to emulate
the public aud private virtues that made
his name 10 the State he loved and served
the synonym Of honesty. of integrity and u
justice.
Hon. Samuel Titcomb said:
But few public men have been more
generally or more enduringly beloved il
private life than Judge Danforth. Benev-
client and affectionate, enjoying social in.
tercourse. he retained his friendly relation,
with the associates Of his earlier years
and in later years made numberlsss rev
friends, by whom he will ever be held in
grateful remembrance.
In the discharge Of his judicial du.ie
his conscientious and patient actor
secured the confidence and esteem of the
bar and the public At large.
The evenness and placidlty OF his
temper undoubtedly gave him great ad
vantages. He was never, even under
strong provocstion. betrayed into ebuli
tons Of temper. The affability and
courtesy of his general demeanor toward.
the bar was not in any degree lessened
after his elevation to the bench. Com
plete self possession apparently character
ICED his action as presiding judge.
In the different OH ;iai po-itons-as a
member of the City Council of his city a.
its representative in the Legislature. As q
member of the Executive Council and a.
County Attorney; although ident.f d witt
one of the political parties; be had no TASTE
for the arena of politics; was never, il
any sense n politician, and upon his ap
pointmeDt as judge. labored not under thu
di sadvantases of those who make polite.
their study and their profe sion.
His high personal character, and hit
scrupulous regard for justice and fair deal
ing between suitors, irrespective OF his eml
nent station. were of themselves sufficien
to command for HIM, no ordinary degree o.
respect and consideration.
Judge Dapforth honored his eminent
position, not by making its distinctions and
emoluments his sole object, but by comtin-
ing with the diligent, painsta kiag and con
scienitous discharge Of its duties, large
proportion Of those requirements and quail.
ties which are appreciated in society. and
which live the longest in the recollection
of friends.
For his social and domestic virtues, fjI
his integrity and impartiality rs presiding
Judge, ard for those most essential qualitie.
that illustrate the character of 4 virtuou'
man, he received he merited tribute OF
respect Of all with whom he came in con.
tact.
Hon. Orvigle ID Baker followed Judge
Titconb in very eloquent speech.
Chief Justice Peters then spoke as fol
lows:
Gentlemen of the Bar:
The court cordially concurs in the senti
menis EXPIRE by your resolutions 1t
honor of the memory of Judge Danforth
His private character and public service,
have been so eloquently and fi,tingly Spoken
of at the bar. that the occasion might set n
complete with ever 90 brief a response from
the bench But would do il justice to ny
own feelings, should fail TO express, mo-
only the sine re RI ct felt by ali the me III
bers Of the court. for the memcry of oul
lats asspciste. but in a few words my o~r
estimate and admiration of his career and
character. have always felt nesrness OF
acquaintance and friendship with Judge
Dsnforth We knew each other esrly ii
IL. having been personally acquainted
ii.nre than half century ago, at Gorbs N
IN this State " here he was then a young
practitioner in the law. and a boy At the
aid aoad, my, fitting for college. Our &C.
qu.i lance ass quite intimate ever after
ths', frI IA lawyers, afterwards h. the
judge and myself q lawyer. ard lastly for
the pas, seventeen years AS judicial asso-
cia'r-
The elements of character were gently
mixed in Judge Dsnforth In private life
IN hia
and sctions were marked by gentleness.
His smishe dispo-ition. aft cited as it Was
by his other mental temperament. was one
OF natures best gifts TO him. Malice or
envy or hatred never found repose in his
bosom. There Was no harshue.s in his
thought or speech. He Was personally
social and agreeable. kind and sympathetic.
just and generous to all persons. He filed
q large space in the hearte Of the lawyers
and people of his Stae ~ith " nom he came
in contact. They knew taa' his mind and
heart we're honest; that iDwsrdly and out
wardly he was una fectej aud true, q plain
natural man.
HE private character was conspicuous in
his public life His virtues as a man man
ifested themselves IN the character of the
Judge. The cain ard d'gnited demeanor.
by him in all pisces. impressed
itself upon the atmosphere of the court
room WHERE he presided. There were but,
few storms ard lull.-fows and ebhs-in
his ntst prixs exp ri.nc He commanded
and controlled himself beyond the power
Of mos, men to do, AMI Influenced the con-
duct If those ahou, him BY the mlldness of
hi. EXAMPLE He thought much of. aad
often quoted in my presence, saying, that
''thp unspoken rori never does harm ."
His nisi prius terms were long and srduous,
exec leat examples of successful legal al
The lawyers were food of
ryng their causes at his terms, kao~ing
hat M matte. large or small wouii be
decided bv IN incous ide rately cr petiishlY
rte bar and thu pub ic were equally conf
tent that his motives were pure The
D. scti.icners felt at home in hi. court
His intellectual abilities were of sure
Tor order. and h. possessed auSinments
quail tn any juiicisl task ever devolEin9
Upon bin Hi. chief me ntal power rss sonrd
rdzment-prscticsl sensa-s IA 'nliy with.
~ vh'ch no Judicial career can b. .nc-
,sssfui. Int with which, though his pri-ci
,al intel. sc-ual endow meut, its possesso-
nsy stain the high $: .sme. There are
II srsdes Of judgment, as of other mertal
qualities. ~e all know 1t may smourt to
in some m ins'inct-in others well
Ugh blank. II has nsen compared to q
,iock or ~strh, where the mos, ordinary
ne inc 10 sufficient to tell the hours,
,ut fhe most elaborate al ne can pcin,
tut the minutes and eecand., and
distinguish ibe smallest dif r noes of
me- Or late associate po-sessed the
acuity OF judgment in q rare i--xr---
His Vas . eagacsous. PRACTICAL csGce pt.on.
a strong ard an instructive Judicial sense.
such rs is not easily acquired unle.s il
ome degree, naturally po.sessed-aor