The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-23
FUNERAL OF HON. GEO. w. TRUE.
Impressive Remarks by Rev. DIR. Asa
Dalton.

l
| Dalton.
| the funeral of the late Hon. George
W. True took place from his former re-
sidenoe on Thomas street, yesterday
afternoon. The house was crowded with
the personal friends of the deceased,
members of the present and former city
governments, representatives Of the
United States customs. leading profess
sional and business men. The services
We're conducted by Rev. Asa Dalton of
ST. Stephens church, who read the
beautiful service of the Episcopal church.
At the close DR.. Dalton made an ad-
dress. DR.. Dalton said chat the hearts
of our people had been deeply touch cd
by the rapid sudden deaths of so many
of our most prominent citizens, men
closely identified with the business inter-
ests of the CITY. Probably at no time
IN our history has so large number
been heralded in the same space OF time.
Among these none stood higher than
our deceased friend at whose funeral SER
vice he came to assist. A native OF
Maine, Mr.. True removed to Ohio where,
as here, his friends and associates were
| OF the best. rs they were sure to be in
any community. Returning to his ma
tive state, be has been active in various
pursuits as merchant, surveyor of the
port. on the school committee and as
Mayor. In all these relations he has sus-
tanned the highest character. Faithful
In the discharge of his duties, courteous
TO all With whom he came in contact,
| such man could not but make many
friends and could scarcely make an
enemy.
Youl are present here from all the
walks of life and have known him in
some of these relations believe his
relations We're intimate and confden-
tial with Governors Washburn and Nor
rill. 1t is well known that Senator Nor
rill enjoyed the confidence of General
Grant in so high degree that when
Grant was President he offered Mr.. Nor
rill any office in the gift OF the govern
ment and urged upon him to remain in
the Cabinet In the same degree Mr..
True enjoyed the confidence of Senator
Morrill, while collector of the port. He
was his most intimate friend and adviser
and was constantly consulted by him as
collector. In similar degree, doubtless,
he has enjoyed the confidence of his as
sociates in office as we'll as in business.
| Personally. l saw mus5 of him, came to
know him best, in the Fraternity Club.
This club as you know, is composed of
citizens Of different callings and pursuits,
professional men, so-called, and business
men, men not OF the same opinions, but
| OF different and even contrary opinions,
in religion, politics, and other questions
of interest to thoughtful men.
The advantages Of such an organiza-
| ton is obvious. Men who are accustomed
to meet and converse only with men of
their own way of thinking, may be very
confident of the correctness of their opin-
ions, but are sure to be one-sided, opin-
donated and narrow. They are apt to
think that there must be something
wrong in the makeup of people who diff
fer from them, and unfortunately, too,
many leaders of church and state, have
even to keep their followers apart from
others, probably that they may retain
them more secursly under their own in
| huenoes. But there is more excellent
way after we have come to years of dis
oretion. Mature and thoughtful men will
usually find it advantageous to compare
notes with others, to hear what they have
TO say for themselves and their opinions.
This is the course taken by the Fraterni-
| ty Club. The questions discussed are
usually those of the highest human in
terest, political principles that lie at the
foundation OF the state, literary produo
tions, and the underlying questions of
philosophy and religion. 1t would some
times happen that these debates became
very animated with danger of undue
heat which is usually dissipated by some
genial member interjecting humorous
or witty remark which not only inflicts
no wound, but has an immediate heal
ing influence on all present. And such a
man was our friend Mr.. True. Never
a leading disputant, he was ever ready
to pour oil on the troubled waters, and
this he did in such genial. kindly man
ner as to restore perfect harmony. 1t
| follows that such a member became
general favorite, and may add, that he
had good soul and kindred spirit whose
mortal remains lie today at the next
corner of the same street.
And now a few words touching the
other honored citizens who recently
have been called SO suddenly from
among us. Like our friend they were
active and useful in their lives and in
death were not long divided. They all
did the city and state good service, were
identified with its prosperity and best
| interests. Such men cannot be taken
| from among us without being greatly
missed and we do we'll to honor their
memory. 1t is often said that these
sudden deaths, every year growing more
and more frequent, are TO be attributed
to the great strain put upon our bust
moss men, especially those who are en-
gagged in great enterprises. Their bust
ness grows upon them year by year, re-
curing constant attention and the most
watchful care. One of these recently re-
marked to his pastor that he found great
satisfaction in carrying out an enter
prise IN which he had embarked, but his
was attended with this serious disad-
vantage that it left him little time for
other things and higher thoughts. That
is, as the pastor understood, higher
plane of spiritual life. Doubtless this
is serious matter, but there is another
view which may be fairly taken. We are
accustomed to speak of such life as
world Of life, and of tho man as world
Iy man. May we not. often do great in
justice to the man in many instances
Here is a man we will say who saw in
some remote corner of the state resources
great in possibilities, but en- tirely unde-
veloped running to waste and therefore
practically useless. Seeing the situation,
| such a man embarks his entire fortune in
a plan to develop these resources One
step leads to another till he finds all his
time and strength and influence are re-
quired to insure success. Retire he can
not without failure. Go on he must
And il he goes on he can do no less than
give himself up entirely to the work
After certain stage of progress no one
can really take his place with hope of
success. Now, what will you say of
him. Must he retire at the risk OF being