The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-31
The Pepham Celebration.

one hundred others, including Chambers Brass
Band, we took passage on the Daniel Web
ster" for Sabine, point of land at the mouth
of the Kennebec river, better known as Fort
Popham, in memory of Capt. Geo. Popham,
who, with his associates, attempted to estab-
lish colony in 1907 at that place, but who
became disheartened in consequence of the
severity OF the winter and sterility of the soil,
and all returned to England the first opportu-
nifty that offered, except Capt. Popham, who
died and was buried there. There is differ
ence of opinion in regard to the design of the
adventures, but whatever might have been
their intention, certain it is that the projects
were abandoned after spending winter on
the bleak shores of the lower Kennebec, by
the entire company, who returned leaving no
more traces upon the land than upon the waves
over which they glided of the enterprise.
After listening to the soul-stirring music of
the Band as the steamer left the wharf, nothing
of interest to disturb the monotony of the
passage occurred except the sound of the
gong, to which we had no occasion to give
heed, and of the bell-ringer, calling upon those
who "had not settled their fare to call at the
captains office and pay their passage" to
which we did give heed, considering ourself
especially invited so to do. On arriving at
Sabine we found two scows ready to transfer
US to the shore from the steamer, the Captain
not deeming it prudent to attempt to goto the
wharf, although we were informed there was
about forty feet OF water. On landing, we
found but few had arrived, but ut about ii
O'Clock the Harvest Noon came down the
river with full load, and returned for anoth-
er, with which she arrived about two o'clock.
The Eastern Queen" also came down from
Gardiner, arriving after the exercises were
over, with large number, accompanied by the
Gardiner Band, we suppose, the music Of
which we could hear in the distance
One of the most delightful views we ever
enjoyed on the seashore, presented itself about
the time we were leaving. Three fine steam
ers lying at anchor few rods from the shore,
the Sparkle of Portland, the "Sunny Side"
OF Wiscasset, and other crafts, gliding maies-
tlcally over the dark blue waves-wth hun
dreds OF sail of vessels either passing, or at
anchor fishing, resembling the tented battle
field in the distance, and the large number of
men. women and children, roaming upon tine
shore or otherwise amusing themselves, to-
gether with the view of Pond Island, Sequin,
and many other places of interest, all conspir-
ed 10 call forth Explanations of delight from
all who could appreciate the sublime in nature
and the beautiful in art.
THE GoRGEs MONUMENT ASSOCIATION.
In pursuance of public notice, and in ac-
cordance with the requirements OF the act of
the Legislature of Maine, establishing the
Georges Monument Association, the corpora
tors met at Fort Popham, in the town Of
Phipsburg, at O'Clock A. NJ, the 10Th of Au-
gust, 1868. Hon. Jedediah Jewett was ap-
pointed Chairman, and William p Preble Sec
rotary. .aH Ir
The following gentlemen were unanimously
admitted as associates:
Hon. George Folsom, of New York; Hon.
Ether Shepley, OF Portland; Hon. Isaac Reed,
of Waldoboro'; Hon. Andrew Peters, of Els
worth; Hon. Aaron Hayden, of Eastport;
Hon. VIM. G. Hammatt, of How.and; Hon.
John S.Tenny, ofNorridgewock Hon. VIM S.
Crosby, of Belfast; Hon. Samuel Belcher, of
Pennington; Hon. John ii. Rice, OF Foxcroit:
A. d. Lockwood, Esq, of Lewiston; Hon. +.
Woodbury., of Houlton; Geo. +. Patten, Esq.,,
of Bath; Hon. w. ID. Sewail, of Bath; Oliver
Moses, Esq, Of Bath.
Hon. Ether Shepley was elected President
of the Association, and VIM. p. Preble Secre-
tary and Treasurer. ersf
A Beard of twenty-five Trustees and Vice
President from each of the counties in the
State were elected.
Hon. George Folsom was proposed for Pres
ident, but he declined the office, giving as a
reason his not being resident of Maine. He
expressed his deep interest in the success OF
the Association, aud his readiness to aid it in
any way possible.
THE MEMORIAL CELEBRATION.
AT one O'Clock the signal gun was fired, and
the people assembled to listen to the exercises
of the occasion b. c. Bailey, Esq. of Bath,
read the order OF exercises, and introduced
the Hon. Jededah Jewett, the President of the
day, who on taking the chair made the follow
ing short but very appropriate address:
Citizens Of Maine and Of our Sister States:
We have assembled upon this spot now memorable
in the historical annals of our country, again to
England colonization.
We have gathered from the busy calls and cares of
our various pursuits we have left behind the dust
and din of city and town, and have come this aui-
ct ocean-layed spot, and that too at an hour when
almost each vibration of times pendulum is audibly
ticking some act worthy of commemoration in tho
history of our country leaving l say, the calls of
business, profession, and even the clash of arms we
have come here once more to dedicate this day and
this spot to the historical memories the past: to
commune with the heroic spirits of those brave men
who essayed TO establish those free institutions
which, here first planted the Atlantic of New
England, have spread their tap root across a whole
continent, and now penetrate with the roo,lets of
their Christian civilization the iar-of waters of
the Pacific. M
When the colonists of Sabine stood around the
solitary grave of Popham, and Od England gave to
New England her first contribution of dust to DUST
they mbedded the first link of that electric chain of
Religion, Laws and Literature, which was TO bind
the new world to the old with adamantine tie, that
storm of the ocean could sever, whose powers of
eonducion no international jealousies could defect
which, adding link to link, should not only span this
continent. but, crossing still another ocean, and
reaching the Cathay of Columbus, would vivify the
Gillette nations of Asia; and greeting its sister ciy
zaon the steppes of Russia and the shores of Pal
estine, from which latter its magnetic influences of
good tdings TO ali men" first issued. will yet enrich
this hemisphere with halo of Christian civilization
that will shine on, until mankind shall recognize the
sublime revelation of the Scriptures, that GOd has
made of one blood all the nations of the earth"
Suggestive, however, rs is this place. and this
sion, must not, as your mere presiding officer tres
pass upon that brief time which has been assigned 10
other and more distinguished speakers. You will
therefore allow me respectfully, 10 request you
10 give attention to the several exercises laid
down in the programme for this days observance.
The morning prayer from King James Lit
urgy of 1904, as read at Sabine, August 10th,
70. 81 1907, was read by Rev. Mr.. Durell, of