Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-04-24
the cause of justice be freed from hurtful

the cause Of justice be freed from hurtful
hindrances.
In the practice Of his profession, as in all
other affairs, he was honorable always, truth
lover. truth-teiler. He was liberal and oblig-
Ing when no real right or interest Of his
client was endangered thereby. His client
was always next after truth and honor,
and before all else. He was no fomenter Of
litigation. Like all good, honorable lawyers,
he advised adjustments and even concessions
rather than subject his client to the travail,
expense and risk Of litigation. He made
little or NO account Of minor matters provided
the essentials were Justly arranged. II, how
ever,negctiations failed and the Judgment Of
court and jury had to be invoked, he became
shs ardent, persistent and powerful advocate,
using In bis clients behalf every talent God
had given him-strong personality, vigorous
inseiiecs forceful logic and keen wit with its
sssendant wespons Of irony and satire. Yet
In II all he kept within the bounds Of truth
SD honor. He never Willingly misquoted
testimony, nor cited an over-ruled or mis-
leading authority. He deserved and enjoyed
the full confidence Of the court. In the lam
gsAss Of the ring, he hit hard, but he always
struck fair. II he overcame, It was by
strength and skill, never by chicanery.
his intellectual powers and his. quick sue
cess AID pre-eminence would ordinarily and
naturally have excited some jealousy and
snvy In those Of the profession less gifted and
less successful, but, - Tacitus wrote OF Agri-
cola, ne conquered even envy by his merit.
His success and eminence were recognized to
Be his due. There was NO carping that he
was over-estimsted, that he was winning by
meretricious qualities, that the public were
simply dazsled by surface brilliancy. His
professional brethren, myself among them,
knew the genuineness and solidity Of his
character and talents, and looked upon his
rapid rise As matter Of course.
But here at home in this town and county
he was also something else than lawyer. He
had also what Matthew Arnold called ssthe
talent for affairs. His ability and force Of
purpose were manifest in other ways than the
practice of law. He was largely instrumental
IN procuring the erection Of this commodious
and convenient courthouse which, though
not costly, Is the best for its purpose in the
whole State. He was the moving spirit in es-
tablishing the First national bank of Els
worth, an enterprise long talked Of, but never
really attempted until his energy was applied
he was its president from its beginning in
1887 to the day Of his death, and its present
condition with its large connections, attests
his financial ability and energy, He urged
and finally brought about the erection here Of
the First national bank building, containing
the finest banking rooms in the State east OF
the Penobscot river. feel that these two fine
buildings may fairly be regarded as material
monuments to his memory.
He was good citizen and kind neighbor,
but he did not wear his heart upon his sleeve,
nor was he hail fellow we'll met Iwithal,
Courteous always, there was dignity and re-
| serve in his manner which repealed familiari-
ty. He had quick sympathy. however. Mis-
fortune and frailty found him charitable in
purse and judgment. He was reluctant to
punish and quick to pardon. More than once
thought him too lenient and forgiving, but
| such was his inner nature, though to the
world his bearing may have seemed austere.
He was not lavish of promises, but his
| promises were kept. He was not ELUSIVE
| with verbal assurances of friendship, but
showed his friendliness by actual service. I
could cite instances Of such in my own ex-
| perience. I doubt not others here can cite
like instances from their experience.
| Following the advice Of Polonius to Laertes,
our brother did not "dull his palm with en-
| terta;nment Of each new Matched, unfledged
| comrade, but the friends he had and their
adoption tried, he grappled them t. his soul
| with hooks of steel' He gave his confidence
somewhat slowly and sparingly, but once
| given it was given unreservedly. He believed
| in his friends, and was slow to believe any evil
| Of them.
In hours of relaxation and social inter-
course he was delightful. He possessed wit
in great degree. His talk was varied and in
teresting. His intimates rejoiced in him. In
| all social circles he was welcome. He en-
lightened our social gatherings with his wit
and wisdom. He ELECTED respect and admira-
ton from all. He inspired affection in those
who won their way to his regard and conf
dence. He doomed large among us in all
these respects, as lawyer, townsman, neigh
Dor and friend. In all these his death has
left void as yet untitled. We still feel the
shock and grief we felt when we learned he
| had left us never to return, and we realize
more fully what we have lost. Each Of us
| now knows that something has gone out of
his life.
We mourn his death and our loss. We
mourn the more that death took him before
he had lived the allotted span, but this grief
may be softened by the thought that Heaven
| gives its favorites early DEATH. 1t may thus
have mercifully spared him much earthly
| pain.
But his life was not short, since "That life
is long which answers life's great end.
Measured by its service, his life was long. He
lived that life faithfully and WE'LL Death was
but its perfection.
| The resolutions are gratefully accepted, and
will be spread upon the records Of the court
as memorial to those who come after us of
our appreciation of his life and service
| among us.
| As further token of respect to his memory,
the court will now be adjourned for the day.