Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-15

tiOnal conception OIL Hoeits on
sure Washington did not mean tha'
the federal government should mar
rass constantly the individual BY
regulation and departmental order
but only so far as the stranger OF
foreigner might seek to Cypress the
citizen or to interfere with his
legitimate course of conduct, then IN
that event should the authority Of
the federal government be main
tanned for the protection or the
liberty of the citizen.
One of the outstanding memories
of the World War is the Torch OF
Liberty used to designate certain
features of our governments actlVl-
ties. But in the discussions grow
ing out of the war the conception
of liberty is not argued. Much we
hear and read about democracy
forms of government, world courts
and leagues, but liberty as such is
not discussed. Rather does the wit
of man turn to inventions to sup
press liberty. 1t seems to be a
memory of essentials that have
heritance which our fathers wished
to commit to our safe keeping TO:
Us in turn to pass on to those who
follow.
but whose looketh into the
perfect law of liberty and con-
tinueth therein, he being not
forgetful hearer, but a doer of
the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed"
We do not exist for the govern
ment. The government exists for
us. In our desire to have a govern
ment of the people, for the people by
the people, we have forgotten our
ancient heritage of liberty. Per-
chance THE Revolt against
Authority about which wise men
have written and thought is in its
essence but the cropping of the in
dividual for the liberty which was
once his. Ee can not carry always
a peak load of statutes and regula-
tons and not tire, grow FESTIVE and
break down under the weight of the
load. The law cannot rise higher
than its source. Its origin and
saction abide in TIE consciousness
of the people. This day devoted to
The Preservation of the Constitu-
ton by our Association should
awaken in us renewed allegiance
to the liberty of the Constitution,
and a passionate and intense desire
to understand it's principles. 1t is
far better for us as lawyers even as
members Of a Legislature to discuss
the liberties of citizens than to dis
cuss and crystalline in code what
government should do for the
citizen. l am yet a young man,
perhaps not over wise. / know the
definition OF platitude, but I
hazard this toast out of the respect
TO the Fathers. for our own inspira
MI hi nt,
successors-Liberty, the birthriglt
of the Constitution, the watchword
Of the Republic.
The last speaker was Chief Justice
Cornish who spoke for the judicial
department under the Constitution.
Ihose present knew that this was the
last time that the beloved Chief JUS
tce as such would address them
ana they welcomed the opportunity
TO show him the love, respect and
almost reverence with which he is
held by the Association and all the
members of the Bar of the State.
lie was given a welcome and ovation
Which moved him deeply and which
must have made him supremely hap-
Ply.
On the toastmaster's reference TO
the kindly relations that existed be-
tween the Court and members Of the
par. the audience arose as one man
giving expression to the afYectionote
esteem in which Chief Justice Corn
iSh was held.
Response Of Chief Justice Cornish
Mr. President. Honored Guests and
Members of the Maine State Bar As
sociation:-
For this cordial reception am
k<r,
something more than the accustomed
respect shown by the bar to the
bench. something Of an undercurrent
of sincere personal friendship, And
l am wondering if YOU are thinking
OF what is inevitc bly, in my mind to-
nlsht that. following the usual Gus
tom. this is the last time when I
shaI have the privilege of speaking
TO you in my present position. For
eighteen years We have journeyed on
together and we have come to know
each other pretty thoroughly in all
that time. Will you permit me to
say that for all that you have done
10 make these the fullest and hap
pest Years of my life wish to ex-
press to you my heartfelt acknowl-
edSment. | have endeavored to give
TO the State the best that was in mo
II l have failed it is because that
besf was inadequate. If l have sue
ceeded 1t Is because l have felt that
1 had behind me the bar of Maine.
sustaining and helping
ME In every legitimate way.
Some of us have grown old topeth-
er. WIN some of you the years have
not peen numerous enough to make
ZOE age. 10 all tonight, to every one.
lender my appreciative thanks, and
through you to the good people of
tne state OF Maine, the State within
', borders / was born and have
iiFed my entire life. and where at the
journeys end l shall rest, OF ali
these good people have been a NH.
Tic servant and when the time ar
rlves l shall surrender nv trust with
humility and with thanks. These
simple words of valedictory. though
somewhat apart from the topic of the
nay are, l hope, not inappropriate
he would be an audacious person in
aeed who. in the presence of orr
special guest tonight, would attemnt
10 discuss at length the Federal Con-
sututlon.' "There is how.
ever, one phase Of our goyernmentaI
structure that has a somewhat local
idNor ana mas always possessed for
. me peculiar fascination. and that ia
III" problem of our dual sovereignty,
II IS almost incomprehensible to n
.orelsner that John Smith can be and
70 cltlzen OF two sovereignties.
nat lie Is for instance Il citizen of
Maine. government with it's own
and laws and govern
~ ma machinery. and also a citizen
mi
:. ne snlted States of America, an
independent government with its die
met constitution and laws ana gov-
efnmental machinery. To both he
es allegiance, and every nuhlin nf