The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-27
JOIIIS O. COWAN, Editor and Proprietor , BIDDEFORD
,b;cb be wo, escorted 10 Cleaves' Hotel in

which he was escorted 10 Cleaves' Hotel in
Saco by numerous cavalcade, under The
direction Of Col. Geo. Thatcher, Chief
Marshall, Of the day, aided by a suitable
number Of assistants proceeding over the
free bridges, M Back Street, along Ferry
road. and down Maine Street. Across tie
bridge between Saco and Biddeford was O.
recled an elegan, arch, bearing the motto
t" Welcome La Fayeiie" on one column
+" Yorktown l7ih-l9 October, l7sl,n and
on the other a Yersaills 5ih and 9th October
I7ss." The sides Of the bridge were also
tasiefully decorated with firs and evergreens.
Across tue second bridge, al the foot OF
Cuts Island, was also erected another arch,
on which was the following line, taken from
a French Play and applied in the original
10 La Fayetle r..
"Jadmire sa prudene, ct Taims son
Courage" -,..r...,,,.,',.
Near The Stone building, in Maine Street,
another elegant arch was thrown across,
bearing the following inscription, " Then 4
trin equip one myself, at The sight OF which
the General was visiby affected. When
the cavalcade arrived opposite the meeting
house, the General was greeted with the
simple and affer,ionaie welcomes OF a large
number of children of both sexes, compri.
sing many of the schools in Saco and Bid
deford, each school headed by its Instructor.
The Misses were in uniform, and the Boys
wore badge, on which was enscribed
Z" Welcome Lqfayeite," and they were intro
duced 10 The General by one Of The Commit
tee as the rising generation TO whom we
look for the continuation Of that liberty
which he and his associates acquired for US.
The General seemed much delighted and
received their salu,alions with evident emo.
,ion. The sides Of the Streets were ,hrong.
ed with citizens, anxious 10 testify their joy
and gratitude by loud and repeated huzzas.
Al Cleaves' Hotel great number ofgentle-
men were introduced 10 him, and among
those who shook him by the hand were
many revolutionary soldiers, and some who
belonged 10 the Generals li2h, infantry
This scene was interesting beyond descrip-
tion. II was impossible for many 10 sup
press The rising tear and where il was mol
shed we might safely say with the poet
"Joy drank the oaerinserc ii reached the eye"
The General was then escorted 10 the
house Of Capt. Seth Spring in Biddsford
who was soldier of the revolution, and
was a, The battle of Bunker Hill, where suit.
able preparations were made 10 receive
HIM. Afer parlaklng Of the refreshments
poviled Tor him, and larrying until evening,
he was escorted 10 the house Of Mrs. Thorn
ton, widow of The late Marshall Thornton
who with feeling tha, did her honor, threw
open her doBrs 10 receive the Hero, and
where was collected large number Of the
ladies of Saco and Biddeford and The neigh.
boring towns. who were severally introdu
ced 10 him. The scene was full OF inieresi
to all. Every countenance was lit up with
glow OF feeling thrill ing from The heart
Particularly interesting was his introduction
10 Mrs Thatcher ofThomasion, the daughter
OF that revolutionary veteran Gen. Knox
and Mrs. Savage The widow OF revolutions
ary Captain who was personally rewarded
for his bravery by Lafayette, The elegant
house of Mrs. Thornton was still more eIe
ganlly decorated for the occasion. Among
other things was noticed half circle trans
parency placed over the front door. exhib
i,ing with much briliancy, WELCOME
LAFAYETTE CoLUMBIA's Friend" There
was also another of the same description al
The foot of The hail. In another apartment
a table was laid with much taste and ele
ganee. and which was boun,ifully laden
with the choicest luyuries. But every thing
ofihis description lost its attraction and was
unheeded on The Generals, appearance
On him all eyes beamed. Every body was
anxious 10 shake by the hand the early
guardian Of her mothers rights and the
avenger Of her wrongs-and oflen during
The evening did the eye Of beauty sparkle
through The tear Of joy. On the General,
departure, lines were formed on each side
Of the street by The ladies' and gentlemen
from the house, through which he passet
while acclamalions rem, The air. The Gen
eral spent the niehi and break tasted a, Cap
Springs, where he was entertained in {
manner that reflects much credit on III
hospitable owner: and spoke well OF the
taste and elegance Of those who presided
at The boaId. Atseven o'clock on Saturday
morning, he was again received and escor
ted by a numerous cavalcade as far as the
village in Scarborough, where The citizen.
were assembled 10 cheer him on his way
On Sunday morning he returned from Por,
land, and again took breakfast at Capt
Springs iarried half hour al Col. Eme
rvs aud attended Divine service a, the Rev
Mr.. Tracy's Westinghouse in Biddeford.-
At the close Of an excellent discourse, Mr.
Tracy addressed the General, in manner
which drew tears from the greater part ol
the congregation, and a, which the General
was much affected. II was the eloquence
ofthe heart and all feft its power, Imme-
dia,ely aiier Divine service The General sci
ou, on his way 10 Concord, where we under.
stand, he arrived The same night.
There were many circumstances attend
ing his visit TO Saco, Interesting In the ex.
IRENE, bu, which we feel unable 10 de.
scribe-,lley'belong peculiarly 10 the Pain
ter uni Poet. And now he is gone We car
truly say, that, ,r H. r'..,
.He is man. take him for all in all
We meier shall look upon his like again"