Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-06


high regard in which he was held nv
the members OF both houses. He ac-
quilted himself in a manner to largely
Increase his popularity
He was a fine presiding officer. ironar.
uai and fair IN his rulings, with a wide
knowledge of parliamentary law, gained
through ms service as a clerk to Speaker
Heeo. He was not again q candidate for
any ONCE until he was nominated for
Congress in popular primary. He was
q strong and forcible speaker, and in
the campaign that followed his nomina-
ton ne presented the political issues to
the voters in every part Of his district.
and his election was in large measure
due to the earnestness and clearness
with which the did this.
In all the relations Of citizen, husband.
neighbor and friend, he displayed the
highest type Of true manhood. His per-
sonaa charm and buoyant spirits made
him most pleasant companion, and l
shall always remember with great pleas
ure the many occasions when enjoyed
them, am glad to bring this simple
tribute to his memory.
Senator Burleish Of Maine.
Mr.. BurIeigh. Mr. President, I can
conceive of no more appropriate in
PRODUCTION to my remarks than these
opening sentences from the memorial
address Of the late leader of the
Maine bar, the Hon. Orville Dewey
Baker, of my home city. delivered in
1907 before our State supreme court,
upon the death of Chief Justice Wis
well:
AT times we are strikingly remind
ed that close beside the borders of
life. set with all it's blooms, flows the
river Of death, into whose forbidding
waters no man may step and then
return, and no man who has once en-
tered may send answer back from
the further shore. When it comes to
one who is frail with sickness or
weary with the hardships of life, the
fingers of death are soft and even
welcome. But when it overtakes, as
il did here. the strong man in harness.
ii must give US pause in order that
we may cast a glance at the life, ct
the character, at the career Of him
who has left us.
1t Is but a glance, indeed, that We
can cast at this time at the life and
character of the Hon. Forrest Good
win-a strong man whom death over
took in the harness. l apprehend the:
others will place upon the record here
the appropriate biographical details
of Mr. Goodwins life. My glance
shall be at that intangible, indefin
able, and. in the case of Forrest
Goodwin, lovable, thing that men term
personality.
While a mere youth in school and
college, Mr.. Goodwin displayed strik-
ing qualities of leadership. Let US
dwell on these qualities for a moment
for if you will but analyze the char
acter of any leader of men you will
solve the secret of his leadership.
Forrest Goodwin was endowed with
a splendid intellect, Of the keenly alert
and analytical type. But that alone
would never have made him a leader
of men. He had physical vigor and
manly courage. a sanguine tempera-
ment and sunny disposition, a splen-
didly modulated and musical voice.
and a natural gift of oratory. In ad-
dition, he possessed a keen sense of
humor. While this perhaps is not
an essential Of leadership, it has
been strikingly characteristic of many
leaders. In a large sense, it is that
quality which prevents a man from
taking himself and his responsibilities
too seriously; which clarifies his men.
tai vision and perspective, and gives
him a sane and wholesome view Of
men and of ideas in ali their rela-
tions.
Yet all these things are common to
many men who may be delightful
companions, but in no sense leaders.
In the case Of Mr.. Goodwin all these
splendid and agreeable qualities were
supplemented by the more essential
and fundamental qualities of leader
ship-ambition, and a genuine SYM
pathetic interest in his fellow men.
Without the former a man will not
and without the latter he can not at
tain and retain leadership of his fell
lows.
In his younger days Mr.. Goodwin
vas splendid athlete. He was cap
tain and pitcher on his college ball
team and played professionally for
short time after his graduation. He
played the game of life later on very
much as he had played the game Of
ball, with brilliancy. GOODNESS, nerve,
resourcefulness. but always with per-
feet fairness to his opponents.
In his professional and public life
Mr.. Goodwin quickly made a name for
himself He was one Of the finest
jury lawyers Maine ever produced and
was at the very zenith of his powers
when he was taken away. His
political honors were many, and he
filled each and every one of them with
distinguished ability.
But it takes more than mere fame.
position, or distinguished intellectual
attainments to give a man perma-
nent grip on the feelings and affec-
tons of his constituency. For these
things Mr.. Goodwin will always be
honored, even in his own country.
But it was the big heart, the human
sympathy. the genuine interest in the
lives and fortunes of his friends that
took the "Mr." out Of his name In th~
State of Maine and replaced 1t with
"Forrest"-and that is one OF the acid
tests Of real popularity.
To those unacquainted with MI.
Goodwin my words may mean but lit
tie. But to those Of us who knew and