Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-19

Il
| the common law and it's adaptability
to new conditions arising in a pro-
| gressive society. where.
| New occasions teach new duties"
| In the study and practice of the law,
| as in every other field of intellectual
| service, he recognized the necessity
| and perennial nobleness of work, -
| and devoted himself to his profession
| with intense energy and never failing
| enthusiasm. Thus he soon acquired a
| State wide reputation for profound
and accurate legal learning and logi-
cal power and glowing eloquence in
| argument. His services were in de-
| mand throughout the State in the trial
| of the most important cases involving
exceptional skin, in the solution OF
complex and difficult legal problems
| or prolonged and arduous labor in the
critical study and analysis of great
masses of testimony. He was recog
| nized as eminent authority on corpor-
alton law, and was prominently iden-
| titled as counsel with the development
of the street railroads of the State,
and instrumental in securing import
ant legislation respecting their con-
struction and operation.
Mr.. Heath also achieved distinction
as a legislator in both the House and
| Senate. He had been diligent read
er of general history and a thought
full student of the history and philoso-
ply of the law, political science and
governmental policies. He was admir-
ably equipped for legislative service,
and mace notable contributions to the
work of moulding several branches Of
cur substantive law as well as of pro-
cedure into more salutary and bene-
fIcient forms
He cherished with reverence the
proud traditions of the judicial courts
and the fame OF the eminent lawyers
and advocates of New England. He
belonged to the splendid and, as | be-
lieve, ever increasing company of hon
CRADLE lawyers and conscientious legal
advisers who believe that the law is
the minister of justice, and that just
ice is the application of truth to the
affairs of men, that the lawyers and
the courts are the ministers of the
law: that judicial inquiries are nsti-
tuted for the purpose of discovering
and declaring the truth and cloth I'd
with orderly forms for the sole pur-
pose of making them more effective.
Mr.. Heath had from his college days
cultivated q taste for the enduring ele-
ments Of English and American litera-
ture. He had been familiar with the
Lest examples of elegant diction and
finished style, and his Imagination had
been judiciously stimulated by poetic
sentiment. In later years he studied
the art Of oratory, the art of eloquent
and effective speaking, with the same
tireless industry and analytical meth
eds that characterized all of his intel
lectual efforts. In this he achieved
distinguished success and acquired \
well deserved reputation for his splen-
did literary style and forceful elo-
quence, brilliantly enlivened with
flashes of wit and humor. At the time
of his decease he had few equals and
no superior in our State, as an effect
i've legal advocate ana powerful loren
sic orator But he rarely. if ever. APP
peared to lift himself to the full sweep
of his power Some of the most bril-
liant passages and effective periods in
his arguments and addresses seemed
at times to be
"As effortess as the woodland hooks
Send violets up and paint them blue"
l Ill duulSSS DIT Tie memorial eX-
| ereises in this Place four years ago, he
| used these words in his tribute to the
| late Orville ID. Baker:
| He won his fame as a scholar, a
| lawyer, an advocate and an orator,
| partly by Unborn genius. partly by op-
portunities vigorously grasped, but
| mainly by untiring industry. His ca
| pacity for concentration was a gift
When he worked he worked He be-
lieved that work was the price of all
success. The royal English that often
entranced his hearers was not always
born of night but was more often the
harvest of years of study and toil"
words fittingly spoken and equally APP
plicable to Mr. Heath himself In his
nature was inwoven that integrity OF
thought and deed and purpose which
rests on a pure sense of duty and alb
solute right. In his social relations
he was not demonstrative or ELUSIVE
n expression but his intimate friends
understood the sympathetic gentleness
OF his nature, and the kindness of his
heart, and knew that under a calm ex-
terror, keen sensibilities and strong
feelings. were often concealed
For his pure and honorable life, for
his high character, his love of truth
and justice, for the credit and honor
he reflected upon the legal profession
and the courts of our State, his broth
ers at the bar, the justices of this
court and all the courts of the State,
and all of his friends and associates.
lament his departure from them.
His beneficient life is his memorial.
1t speaks with more impressive en-
phasis than the most eloquent voice of
eulogy, and enrolIs his name on that
shining list in the galaxy of the great
lawyers and great men of Maine.