Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-11
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Continued from page %

sunereu. but tne END finally came. pos
minating suddenly what had been !, a,se-
full and honorable career.
AS man, as a citizen of the State and |
as Il 1rienu ms pleasing presence and |
companlonship can no longer be enjoyed
but we trust that somewhere, in the in
Unite realm of immortal life. his spirit
has found rest and peace and joy
Mr.. Fogier of Rockand:
Mr.. Speaker: l formed the ac-
quaintance of Governor Davis on the
day when he was first nominated as a
canhidate FOR governor. From that, time
acquaintance and friendship. In the first
years or our acquaintance l met him FREE
Iuentiy; in the latter years occasionally
him, associated with him in political
and other assemblageS | knew him
during al that time as a, genial gentle
man, a sincere friend. a loyal comrade
capable and painstaking lawyer and a
wise counsellor in affairs of State In
his life ne had my most profound respect;
his death caused me unaffected sorrow
After the eloquent and touching eulo-
gies of his friend and townsman and of
his other friends and comrades who have
preceded me, whose words and sentiment
touch a responsive chord in my heart ii
would be idle for me to make any ex-
tended remarks on this solemn occasion
wish merely to express my appreciation
of his worth and pay my sad tribute to
his memory.
However highly we may admire and
respect his career in civil and political
life. he has a still higher claim, to my
mind. to the respect and admiration of
a soldier of the Republic.
We justly and loyalty give our indy
ing affection to those brave, skilful and
les through that long and terrible strug-
gle for the preservation of the Union.
TO their memory, with loyal and loving
hands, we rear the marble column and
erect the life-like statue in bronze Their
brave deeds. their heroic devotion. their
grand careers will ever be remembered
so long as the American Union shall sur
vive.
But we must bear in mind--the Ameri-
can people will ever remember-that these
the victory. The battles were fought the
victories We're won. the Union was saved
by the patient endurance, the unwaver
ing courage the heroic deeds of the boys
in blue who shouldered the rifle and
welded the saber--the private soldiers of
the nations armies. Upon their Shout
ders there were no insignia of rank; they
looked forward not to glory or renown;
they did their duty for simple duty's
sake
Among their number was Daniel f.
Davis, the future governor of his native
State. At most critical time in the
great civil war: at n time when all knew
from a sad experience that the war was
no holiday affair but that danger and
suffering and perhaps death lay in the
private soldier in the Union army He
enlisted in fighting regiment resi-
ment whose reputation, well earned, for
bold riding. hard fighting and heroic
deeds, was not excelled by that of amy
regiment that wore the blue-the First
Regiment of Maine Cavalry Volunteers.
enlistment until the great war closed.
taking part in the brilliant achievements
Of 9th, the s eayary force in the campaign
army of Northern Virginia at Appoma-
/ believe that his experience in the ser
1n fbn,,
assumed-for the private soldier was
Obliged to assume at times momentous
upon his career in after life. 1t taught
him self-relance, q sounder judgment,
more promptitnde in action. 1 have no
doubt that all this contributed to the
calm patience the quiet courage, the in
spring confidence which he exhibited in
the turbulent scenes which attended his
rejoice today that the people of this
good state have in one instance chosen
as their chief magistrate one who served
as private soldier in the nations army.
The administration of Governor Davis
was safe, prudent. honest, and for the
His name stands. high in the long list
of eminent men who have occupied the
high ,El1 office which he SO faithfully held.
citizen, brave soldier, Il distinguished
official.
Mr. Dickey of Fort Kent--It was nv
fortune to meet Governor Davis many
him in the Senate. and later as Governor:
and in all my associations with him.
which have been very close. | esteemed
him one of the most genial. the most
upright. honest men that | have ever as
ISOLATED with.
AS a man of talent there We're few that
excelled him. In his speeches in the
House and in the Senate, | never listened
TO better arguments-not mere speeches.
but arguments to the question upon
who has favored our eastern part of the
State. who knew it and knew its wants,
and there was nothing in his power but
what he did to open up and settle our
eastern territory. when the great east
ern boundary of Maine was settled under
the Ashburton treaty. thousands of the
old Acadian French We're fastened upon
us under the treaty and Governor Davis
as a member of a committee extended all
the assistance in his power to those peo-
pie. He entered into their situation and
their circumstances, and there was moth
ing that he left undone for their assist
timately acquainted with Governor Da-
Wis his house was my home in Bangor
Two years ago L was there in his house
sick for two weeks and most of the time
confined to my bed. and no man, | don't
care where he comes from. could be more
attentive or more hind. It was his make
that manner and 1t was his nature to do
it and he loved to do it. When he was
as much as any man. and although l was
in the opposite party in what is called
the count-oalt. yet we never lost our
friendship and we became more and more
intimate. Such has been my feeling in
regard to Governor Davis and his family
that cannot. as a member of the minor
ity of this House. refrain from expressing
my thanks for the privilege of saying
what / have; and | sincerely second the
motion to spread this memorial upon the
records.
mr.. Talbot of lewiston:
Mr.. Speaker: 1t would be impossible
for me to add anything of material
value to what has already been SO
Well and so ably said. and 1 will not
attempt eulogy of the life and val
Nueds services of our lamented eX-Gover-
nor Davis, but L feel constrained at
this time to say a few words relating
to his early manhood and school days
or thirty years ago. In 1866 and 67
Daniel F. Davis after his return from
the army became a student at the
Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's
Hill under the able and widely known
preceptor Rev. DR.. Henry p. Jersey.
This was before the days of the pres
ent system of high schools, normal
schools and State College and young