The Portland daily press., 1893-01-26
JUDGE VIRGINS FUNERAL.
Great Gathering Of Prominent Men
Of Maine.

Sympathetic Congregation-Beautif
Tribute From Rev. DR.. Blanchard
The Funeral Rites of the Distinguished
Jurist.
Congress Square church was filled with
the friends of the late Judge Virgin, on
the occasion of his funeral yesterday af-
ternoon. They came not only from the
city, but from all parts of the state to
pay last tribute of respect to one who
had done it service SO well for so many
years. 1t was gloomy, damp day, but
this did not check the many friends of
the deceased. The casket was placed in
front of the reading desk and was COW
cred with superb floral tributes. The
family sent pair of scales, emblematic
of patience and mercy. The Cumber-
land County officers magnificent book
with the word ssfinis' inscribed on the
last page; Portland Commandery sent a
beautiful cross and crown; the Maine
Consistory beautiful set piece; Bos-
worth Post large wreath; and there
were tributes also from the Cumberland
Bar, the Loyal Legion d other socie-
ties with which the Judge had been
affiliated in life. Mr.. and Mrs. j. S.
Palmer sent crescent bearing the fig
ures IA, referring to the class in Bow
dom College of which the deceased was
a member. Messrs. Day and Coolidge
oficiated as ushers and seated the large
congregation easily and quickly. Prior
to the arrival of the procession Miss
Plummer. the accomplished organist of
the church, played prelude.
The cortege formed in front of Judge
Virgins late residence on Henry street,
shortly before two o'clock and proceed
ed to the church. AS the casket was
borne up the aisle, the Beethoven funeral
march was played. The pail bearers
preceding the casket were Chief Justice
John A. Peters of Bangor, Judge Libbey
of Augusta, Judge Foster of Bethel
Judge Walton of Deering. Judge White
house of Augusta, Judge Haskell of
Portland, and Judge Emery of Ellsworth,
all associates of the deceased on the SUI
preme Bench; Judge ]. W,Symonds, and
Judge Nathan Webb of the U. S. District
Court.
Governor Cleaves had previously en-
tered the church. He was accompanied
by Hon. F. M. Simpson of Castine, Hon.
Marquis F. King of Portland, Hon. F.
Pettingill, Hon. E. o, Clark of Water
boro, Hon. Fred Atwood of Winterport,
Hon. c. A. Harrington of Norridgewock,
members of the Governors Council,
State Treasurer Geo. L. Beal. and Adj
Gen. Conner and the members of his
staff.
Following came the legislative COM
mittees, consisting of President Spear,
Senators Seiders of Cumberland, Herrick
of Oxford, and Peaks of Piscataquis, the
committee appointed by the Senate; Rep
resentatives Higgins of Limerick, Nor
rill of Portland, Lane of Augusta, Drew
of Fort Fairfield, and Cakes of South
Berwick, the committee appointed by
the House.
As the cortege entered the entire con-
gregation rose and remained standing
until the procession was seated. Then
DIR. Blanchard read beautiful verses from
the Scriptures as appropriate to the de-
ceased, and Whittier's poem, entitled,
Eternal Goodness" that was great
favorite of Judge Virgins. Then the
choir sung several of the stanzas of the
same poem. The pastor then spoke as
follows:
To be an upright judge is one of the
greatest privileges accorded by God to
man. With love Of justice and with de-
votion to righteousness, the judge is
co-worker with the Almighty. Our dear
ly beloved and honored brother, Judge
Virgin, once said: ''It has ever been my
constant aim, since was appointed to
this court, that all my decisions should
be founded upon justice. There is moth
ing that ever gives me such pain as to
condemn a man to punishment, and
there is nothing that ever gives me such
pleasure as to tell man to go free.'
We, who have loved and honored him,
know that the end at which he aimed has
been attained. His beloved chief on the
supreme bench, and his honored col
leagues will gladly bear testimony to the
fact that he was independent impartial,
a seeker of the truth and of justice. The
gentlemen of the bar who have pleaded
their causes before him, will join with
the Judges in their declarations. 1t is
for these gentlemen, at the appropriate
time and place. to formulate their opin-
ions for themselves; but in this sacred
place it is the duty and the privilege of
his pastor to speak these words in praise
of the upright judge.
Among the emblems here today is one
TINT you will perceive to be peculiarly
fitting. representing the scales of justice,
with the word Justice in one and the
word mercy" in the other. Judge Vir-
gin honored both justice and mercy. He
knew how fundamental, how essential
Justice is. He knew also that, oftentimes