Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-02-15

fright, or tor doing the best be can,
because In doing that be 10 doing only
his duty, that he has no right to OFFSET
the credit of doing bis duty Againt his
short comings.. Perhaps that may be
considered an Anticipated doctrine; but
| do not think ] am entitled to credit for
simply trying to do my duty and doing
the best could; that which pleases me
most is the personal element which
enters into this occasion, the conscious
ness that have the friendship and the
sympathy Of the members of the Oxford
Bar. That 10 more pleading to me than
|anythipg else can be. A man may do
his duty, be may do right, but the man
ner of doing those things has . great
deal to do with his gaining the symps-
thy, the appreciation and the friendship
Of those whom he comes to know. It /
have succeeded In gaining and holding
the friendship of the members Of this
bar, 1t meets my highest ambition.
| I realize that have held the position
Of the Judge OF probate for long period
Of time, but the experience has been 90
pleasant, the work has been. 80 agreeable
to me, the time has passed 80 swiftly
that failed TO realize that was grow
pg old. Itdid not seem to me that l
was old, and felt rs young as ever l
did, and thought could easily 60 on
for another twenty years. That was the
way I felt about 1t; but was destined
to receive very sudden awakening. /
was taken sick, and purse came to care
for me. While some preparations were
being made the nurse said to my wife,
"You know that old gentlemen have to
have special care" Laugbter.) That
gave my wife Q shock, and. 1t also gave
me one when she told me. It was the
first time it had really come over me
that was an "old gentiemsn;" but !
got q little comfort out Of the word
gentleman" But after short time 1t
was discovered that was suffering from
an attack of that infantile disease called
the humps! And then knew that the
nurse was right, and that had arrived at
the stage of second childhood. laugh
ter and applause.
shall not try to make any extended
remarks, but do wish you to feel that
deeply appreciate the honor that you
have conferred upon me tonight. Upon
looking the situation over, considering
my time of life and the condition OF my
health, have acted in the matter of my
retirement as thought was for the best.
l recall the poem of Longfellow, read ct
the Church on the Hill in Brunswick;
heard him read it, and think that His
Honor (Mr. Justice Morrill) must have
been there. Those lines have been re-
peated here tonight, and these words
fingered in my mind:
"Old are IL still old age;
1t is the waning Of the crescent moon, :.
The dusk of evening, not the blaze OF noon"
As 1 thought of these words, "tbe
dusk of EVENING" knew that In the
dusk Of evening man could not SEQ 90
clearly, and that objects before him were
likely to be distorted and to appear out
of their logical relations, and I thought
If 1 had arrived at that condition Of be-
ing ian old gentleman" I must be In the
"dusk of evening" where could not see
clearly and judge justly, and that 1t was
time for me to retire. Therefore con-
cluded that that was the proper thing
for me to do. realize that ! have been
retained In Office through the influence
of the Oxford Bar. 1t Is that thought
that gives me the greatest satisfaction,
and assure you that appreciate 1t be-
yond the power of words to express, and
I wish to acknowledge my obligations to
the members of the bar, and to assure
you that, as long as I may live, shall
cherish these remembrances and recol-
lections of the pleasant associations /
have enjoyed during these twenty years
of association with you. The work has
been pleasing, the time has passed swift
", but shall cherish more than any
thing else the associations and friend
ships that have enjoyed through the
opportunities which the position has
afforded me, and from my heart I thank
You ali for all you have done for me.
(Applause.)
In closing the exercises of the evening
the toastmaster, the "Nestor OF the OK
ford Bar" paid the following graceful
and feeling tribute to its members:
It is not an agreeable sensation that
comes over me when my brother Her
rick, 80 many years younger than l,
SAYS, as he does, that be realizes that he
Ia to some extent in the 'dusk OF even
ing" I only realize 1t when find
among the members Of the bar, and Oil
ents as we'll, go many nephews / didn't
suppose ever had, when they speak to
me and address me as "Uncle john"
(Laughter.)
1t Is true that have passed the eight.
ieth year of my life, and that 1t was hfty-
six years ago last March that I was ad-
mitted to the Oxford Bar. In all those
years, amid go many pleasant recolleo-
lions, l have come to believe, with all
due respect to every other bar in the
state, that there is no better bar than
ours 10 all the State OF Maine. / doubt
not, gentlemen, that my good frieod,
His Honor, will say with me, In looking
over the bars OF the different counties IN
the state, none excels. tbat Of the County
of Oxford, and when he speaks OF friend
ship and fellowship, that kindly feeling
of friendship, the real expression OF al
fection that go delights the heart OF an
old man, no members Of any bar 10 the
state can excel in those particulars those
of our own. / realize 1t and appreciate
It. During political conventions anu the
election to public Office, realize how
closely and Loyalty the bar has stood "
me. And now, II am never permitted
to be present at any future meetings of
the bar, wish to enjoin upon Its mem.
bers-for they are all younger than am
to follow in the footsteps OF their pre-
decessors, not only those OF the last
twenty years, but also those OF half a
century, in the manifestation OF those
things shown by your members and your
assoc ates, those.that you have observed
and that have been spoken OF so feelingly
here tonight.
A lawyer can be blessing In the COM
munity, or he can be curse. II he is
manly, honest and upright In bis deal
ings with the people he meets and the
members of his profession, he 10 mem.
Der of the community worth having, and
his influence will be felt not only while
he is living, but In the years to come
after he has passed from human sight.
Now, my friends, wish to express to
you, the members of this bar, my deep
appreciation of the courtesy You have
shown me In all the years;I have been IN
praetice among YOU. and want to thank