Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-11

county and, against great odds wreste
justice from what seemed certain diss.s
ter When he became engaged In polite
Piscataquis ever seemed u favorite camp
Ing ground. and no one pleased the peg
pie more than he. Although not speak
and the energy of one who might posses
a stronger physique. his words we're nev
ertheless fun of power ana persuasion
and when before the people In whom n n
sponsive chord of sympathy seemed Z
inspire his thought and clothe his them
with language truly noble and sometime
grandly eloquent.
Mr.. Davis was ever approachable. gen
ial and sympathetic. Born in the lowe
walks of life. he never seemed to forge
the people. or to tire of assisting others
That especially l noted in his makenr
and It engaged my admiration. l remem
Der that my first work in campaigning
was done with Mr.. Davis. Together W,
towns and hamlets. and remember well
a mere youth then, his words of .goo1
cheer and encouragement. which ! knew
came from the goodness of kind hear
Even in recent years. suffering from dis
ease, broken in health. weighed by tn,
cares. and the responsibilities of a bus
life. he always found time for hearty
handShake and cordial greeting to oil
friends. however humble in station.
His career from .boyhood to old az;
seems typical of our best American man
hood. and an illustration of the beneii
often reminded. Mr.. President. as one
prominent citizen after another passe
away who has occupied high office In ths
lie before the American boy, the poor Ia
of the great republic.
Mr.. Davis, breathing the spirit of on"
free institutions; although poor Lao
was ambitious of success. We see him n
East Corinth academy, fitting himself TO
usefulness in life. when the war break
out. He leaves his books for the weary
pen to grasp the sword He no longer
dreams of battles fought or victories
won. but he participates in them: he II .
longer studies history in the walls of I1as
Corinth academy. but ON the field of bat
tie. beneath the~old flag. he assists il,
making the grandest history ever written
in blood
When those terrible years of strife and
carnage are over, spared to his country
he returns to his home and again renew
the upward battle of life. Choosing :,
profession. We soon see him an able Legal
advocate. then Il wise legislator. servin"
his State ably. first in the House and
then in this Senate. Then in the stormy
days of 1850, he is elevated to the highes
Maine. Here he serves the people Loyalty
and well. Although the next year h.
went down by small margin before tn
Fusion candidate, Mr.. Plaisted. he does
interest in their welfare, and he is heard
on the platform again and again, advo-
eating those great principles which h
believes for the highest good of his fell
low countrymen.
Mr.. Davis was a man of broad view
and of versatile mind. and Il lover of nat
ure. | remember well when on olte occa .
sion opposing counsel our business
took US into a section adjacent to tn
great wilderness of Maine. At his sue
gestion we strolled out into the forest
where he seemed to gather new strength
and new inspiration from his surround
ings. He dwelt on the grandeur of our
State. upon her magnificent scenery. ne :
natural resources. the immense wealth
of her forests, quoting appropriate dimes
from that great American poet and tru ,
lover of nature. William Cullen Bryant.
So we see the boy and learn to know tn =
man. and with sincere sorrow we regret
his departure from the walks of life. III
sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. "
and. drawing an illustration from nature.
which he loved so we'll we may say. with
the poet:
Leaves have their time 10 fall.
And flowers to wither in the north wind
breath,
The stars to set, but all
Thou hast all seasons for thine, o Death.
Mr.. Stcarns of Aroostook:
Mr.. President, | must not. | cannot re-
frain from speaking upon these resolu e
tons, these resolutions that may carry
ken-hearted widow of a good man. l.
was not given TO me to know Governor
Davis in his public career. but after he
had retired from public life and had set
tied in Bangor and there entered upo:t
that successful and brilliant career Of
his as a lawyer, | was honored with his
acquaintance and made happy by his
friendship. the recollection of which will
be sweet to me as long as live upon this
earth.
1t is of Governor Davis as a lawyer and
as n man that ! can speak. For many
years Bangor has been sort of home to
me. The city is dear to me and ! like it ;
people / have embraced many opportu
mites to be there. and there was one
place in Bangor where | never failed to
call and that was at the office of Mr..
Davis. and there ] know l met a man OF
a gentle soul, true and honest heart.
1t was there / saw him receive his eli
ents, men of all ranks and walks. and
with not less courtesy and consideration
did he meet the humble laborer than the
wealthy manufacturer.
Fer all he had a smile. for all he had
patient kindness. The tottering Old LADY
who came to his office. thinking that nee
rights had been invaded unable to pay a
carefully and as considerably as the
wealthiest among his clients, whose bus
mess perhaps might be important to the
extent OF fortune. The poor man of toll
invaded was never turned away without
advice or without cheering, encouraging
words.
Even the poor neglected little chlld
who came to his office with basket Of
apples to sell would be taken upon his
knee. and by his tenderness he would as
sure the little child. gain her confidence
inquire of her family. her surrounding ;
and send her away with a glow of happi-
ness in her heart that would last forever.
Such was Governor Davis in his office
In the court room he was more than the
ordinarily successful lawyer-he was in
deed at times a brilliant advocate. with
a profound knowledge of law, with IA
mind of keenness that enabled him to
immat erial evidence and other sophistry
and find the issue directly with a know
ledge of the practical affairs of lie and
of good sense, he was valuable to his eli
ents and able to aid in the administration
of justice.
Yet here he was never discourteous to
his adversary, he was never lacking In
respect to the court. and he was entirely
and far above the arts of chicanery. He
never badgered witness. never set traps
for the unwary, but always demeaned
assurance.
He has gone. His life is ended when
the State would have been better, his city
would have been better, could he have
lived. lie is gone, covered with honor
and the highest tribute We can pay in
this body is due to him who was a sincere
and practical patriot. n statesmanlike
Governor, a good citizen and an honest
man.
second Mr.. President. the motion
made by the senator from Penobscot and
/ move. Mr.. President, that out of re-
spect to the memory Of this eminent
statesman of Maine Departed that this