Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-13
JUSTICE BRALEY SPEAKS FOR
MASSACHUSETTS

Justice Henry K. Braley of the Mas
sachusetts Supreme Court was pres
emit as representative of the mother
States judiciary and gave an address
upon the intimate relationship be-
tween Maine and Massachusetts
Justice Braley spoke in substance as
follows:
I'VE are only three hundred years
from Plymouth Rock. the last CEN
fury of which beheld Maine become a
sovereign State within it's own con-
stitutional sphere of action, and en-
ter upon period of development
placing her as the nation grows old
er, in the front rank as a founder of
schools and institutions of learning,
a sagacious builder of common
wealths where successful progress is
not measured solely by the acquisi-
ton of wealth, or the mere exercise
OF political functions, but by the in
culcation and maintenance of good
citizenship; the only stable founda-
ton on which government like ours
can hope to succeed or to endure.
The founding of State, even with
all the aid precedent could furnish or
the experience of sister states could
teach, was no light undertaking, The
soil indeed was virgin, but marts of
industry were to be created: the riv-
ers with their abundant water pow
err were no longer to run unvexed to
the sea; agriculture must be encour
aged and developed; an enlightened
and comprehensive system of laws
was to be established, the successful
accomplishment of which demanded
provision in the science of govern
ment Whatever the forebodings. if
any there were, whether the govern
mental machinery had been wisely
constructed and coordinated, have
long since vanished. and no cloud
lowers upon the fluctuations of this
centennial hour
II is a great pleasure and privilege
TO bring to you, Mr.. Chief Justice.
and to your associates and to, tho
members OF the bar, and to the gov
ernor and citizens of Maine the cor
dial greetings and hearty good viii,
OF the Supreme Judicial Court Of tbe
commonwealth of Massachusetts, a
court whose bicentennial occurred in
1899 and probably, when viewed in
the light of its provincial origin. tbe
superior Court of Judicature is tho
Oldest court in continued existence -,
the United States. Its decisions prior
10 the separation are yours by inner
itance. You have taken by eminent
domain since then all that vo,,
deemed useful. The compensat;on
however. has been more than ample.
TOT the neld of general Jurisprudence
IS not limited by State lines. II is
with FEELINGS of pride and of grat;f-
cation, that we of the Mother State
nave been encouraged, strengthened
and enlightened by the expositiop ~
application of law for the ascertain
ment OF justice, SO learnedlv. lucidI,,
ana abundantly manifested in tha
Maine reports.
The admission of anotber c..
.l.o the Union was epochal and this
with other events made 1920 meme
taoie In our annals. James Monroe
who IN the third year of his te,r,
formulated and gave his name ~
cherished doctrine of orr nationaI
sovereignty, was President and -,
tnat year Webster, soon tn heoor,a
the champion of New England ~ -
the exponent of nationalisr unc;,
sunscriDeo by State lines, delivered
on forefathers' Day at Plymouth the
oicentenniar Grafton. With elegance
81 diction and luminous areumenta-
ton ne interpreted and applied the
principles of the Declaration and of
the Constitution illumined by the
higher law. and with prophetic vision
portrayed our national expansion
and future grandeur and supremacy.
The work Of these men is regard
cd at home and abroad as having