The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-25

drew from the life of the deceased a les
to duty. Mayor A. E. Moulton of Deer
ing also spoke briefly in Mr. Emery's
memory.
The following address by Hon. Charles
T. Libby of Portland, on the death of ex-
Congressman L. ID. NJ. Sweat, was read
by Levi Turner, Esq, in the absence of
its author:
MR.. L1BBY'S ADDRESS.
May 1t Please Your Honor:
l can add but little to what has been
said in the resolutions concerning the
strictly professional features of MIR.
Sweat's career. He rarely appeared in
court after was admitted to the Bar, so
that it was never my fortune to meet
him as an opponent in the trial of any
case, but / had the pleasure of knowing
him in social and business life for many
wears, and got some glimpses OF his char
acter which it is pleasure to recall. He
was favored by nature with an attractive
personality and q charming voice and
manner. He had not little of that ele-
ment of personal magnetism which
counts much in the practical success of
Iife-that rare combination of : tact and
kindly address, whose elusive charm it is
difficult to analyze. In his intercourse
with friends there was a suggestion of
afiectionaGe interest in their concerns,
which strengthened the bond of recipro-
cal regard. He possessed a vigorous and
well disciplined mind, quick and keen
perceptions, and large knowledge Of
men and affairs, which made easy for
him the discharge of public and profess
sional duties. There was an air of dis
tinotion and of quiet refinement and dig
nifty about Mr.. Sweat. which singled him
out among his associates and made him a
conspicuous figure in any circle He was
the antithesis of the weak and common.
place in life Had he seen fit to give his
attention exclusively to the law, there
is no reason to doubt that it's honors were
easily within his grasp, for he had in an
eminent degree many of the qualities es-
sential to professional success, among
which was the gift of eloquent speech,
combined with keen and logical mind
and a sound judgment in business affairs
In public life he played conspicuous
part, both as a member of Congress and
a leader in the councils of his party. His
large acquaintance with public men and
the details of legislation caused him to
te entrusted with important duties at
Washington connected with one of the
large railroad systems Of the country. and
for many years he was not uniInportant
factor in the political and social life Of
the Capital. He was quick to see oppor-
tunittes and to profit by them, and his
mind grasped readily the features of large
Undertakings. Measured by the stand
ards of his own ambition, his life was
successful, and to larger degree than is
common he saw clearly what he wanted,
and pursued his object with answering
aim. His SUCCESS in life was due to his
own energy and intelligence, and If he
achieved grsater distinction than that
of many of his associates, the difference
is not to be sought In accidental causes.
His opportunities in early life were no
greater than those possessed by most of
his associates, and II he worked out from
the world of small things into a larger
field of usefulness, the credit Is due to
him alone.
Ny relations with Mr.. Sweat were not
such as to enable me to speak of the deep
er nature of the man-of his ideals and
aspirations. What his philosophy Of life
was, how much 1T included, how nearly
he attained his ideals, how many long
inQs were unsatisfied, how much the
future held out to him? Only those can
say who stood in most intimate relations
with him. Sufficient for the occasion Is
it to recall the pleasant memories, the
kindly traits, the strong intellectual en-,
dowment, the we'll wrought success of
this distinguished member of our profess
sion. If we would go further, how par
tial is any estimate of aEother's life-how
lacking in completeness and proportion.
Of what life may it not be said, in the
words of the great English novelist,
"Who of us has his desire? or, having
it, is satistleds'' And against how much
of every life may not be written, Van
itas yanitatum?"
The concluding address of the afternoon
was made by Hon. J. W. Symonds, who
paid an eloquent tribute to all three of
the deceased mem bers of the bar in whose
name the session was held. Judge Sy-
monds said:
JUDGE SYMONDS' ADDRESS.
The reading of the resolutions, which
are cow before the court, formally recalls
our attention to the fact, of which we
were far from needing to 0e reminded,
that during the vacation between the
April and the October terms life has
closed for three OF our personal and pro-
fessional friends, among the prominent
and distinguished members OF the bar OF
Maine.
That these men were in many ways
unlike each other need hardly bs said.
In native characteristics. in experience.
circumstance, in many OF the accidents
of fortune, In the general course anu
tenor of life, the contrasts between them
were perhaps more striking than the
similarities or resemblances But still
they had much in common. They were
all honorable and honored men; good and
genuine outgrowths of the best condi-
lions of New England life. Their lives
were full of noble uses, of valuable SER
vice rendered to the community in which
they lived and where their names will
long be remembered. They were all sue
cessful men, too, in greater or less degree;
at least they were so if we may judge. as
the world judges. from external impress
sions. For what they were before the tri-
bunal of their own ideals, they alone are
responsible. There each must enter his
own plea. When accusation is made in
that forum, if we would defend at all,
most of us 1.-THE technical phrase being
pardoned) must confess and avoid; we
cannot directly traverse. We cannot deny
failure: we must seek excuse.
They won the honors of theirsprofesslon
here at home and in many ways Illus
trated the excellencies which its severe
discipline demands and develops They
were faithful to clients, skilful, accom-
plished and diligent, and BETTER words
than these are required to state accurate
l., ~ Lowe rocuItc of the exerCise. during