The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-02
: Freedman,s Psir-Fourtb D.v

2 Freedman's Fair-Fourth Day.
By 81. Paul, the work goes bravely on! and
yet snow-storm came upon US yesterday
morning, but it does not dampen the ardor of
our citizens. The ladies say with one in the
play, "nothing stops u.s." We saw them early
vending their way to City Hall and going up
stairs loaded down with all kinds of meat, pie.
cakes, and variety of other good things for
the inner man. The tables are kept bountiful-
ly supplied. There is no lack of provisions,
notwithstanding the focking to them of hun
cry mortals. A large business is done in this
department. ....... t... t...n..f
In looking about the Hall yesterday morn
ing we noticed book entitled Historical
Research. respecting the opinions of the
founders of the Republic ON negroes as slaves,
as citizens, and as soldiers" The author is
George Livennore. Not many copies have
been published. 1t contains valuable inform
alton. The typographical execution is splen-
did. What adds peculiar interest to this
book is the fact that the author sent volume
to President Lincoln short time previous to
his writing his Proclamation of Emancipation
The lamented Lincoln, not to be outdone in
acts OF generosity and kindness, sent the pen
and penholler with which he wrote the proc
lamation to the author, Mr.. Livermore These
articles are kept In glass case as deeply in
teresting relics, and it is expected they will be
forwarded to our Fair and be placed on exhib-
ition. We hope they will be. What associa-
tons will cluster aroand the minds of all who
gaze upon these sacred relics! This proclaim
alton is destined to form one of the brightest
and most interesting pages Of American his
tory, and future generations will read the rec
ord with feelings and emotions of which the
present has but faint conceptions. So much
for this beautiful book and its historical asso-
Cations " tbsbGdFs'F - T..
We have kept the good wine until now so
far as the picture gallery is concerned. We call
the attention of our readers to No. 76. This
is is family group entitled @Of for the War"
by Louis Lang. We judge it is the picture of
one of the families whose members move in
the higher circles in New York. All the mem
beers are admirably drawn. The time indicat-
ed is a quarter past one, p. NJ, when the young
man is about to start to join his company. He
is dressed in army blue, standing and receiving
the last expressive looks and parting words of
his wife who ssands by his side anxiously gaz-
ing upon his calm features,-calm because his
country calls and he has made up his mind to
obey the summons. Near by stands lady
his sister, perhaps. She is beautifully dressed
with rosette of red, white and blue on her
left breast. She holds the gun of the young
soldier In one hand, while with the other she
is waving her white handkerchief to the troops
which may be seen through window which
opens upon Union Square Her form Is very
graceful, and she looks away at the soldiers
with an expression of countenance that does
the heart good to look at it.
Nearer the window sits little Sis who is ex-
ceedingly beautiful in face, form and position. |
She also points to the soldiers in most ex-
pressive manner. Every body at once falls in |
love with this beautiful little girl The father
stands in another part Of the room in a dress |
ing-gown, and looks venerable and reconciled. |
His wife is sitting in chair WIN ner hands
clenched as if she could not be reconciled to |
the parting, while a good-looking daughter is
filling knapsack and at the same time trying |
to quiet the nerves of the old lady. Near by
stands female with salver upon which is |
placed some fruit TO be deposited in the hayer- |
sack for the comfort of the young soldier
Another man is filling the canteen with some
thing good. Every thing that can be done for |
the young man, which paternal affection and |
sisters love suggest is done for the benefit of
him who is about to leave the pleasures of
sweet home to fight for the old flag and the
integrity of the government of his country.
This painting tells an interesting story, and
shows us how willingly patriotic families made
great sacrifices during the war. 1t is quite a
study, and some time is required in gazing up
on it before all the ideas of the artist can be
understood and appreciated. Although this
painting give US an inside view of a family
circle in the hiiher walks of life, yet it teach
es US lesson not soon to be forgotten and |
suggests thoughts of other families in lower |
circumstances that have made the same sacri-
fees on the altar of thesr country. We have
rSSo eAuo POI Ii Jul dOoCh ApbAOl
picture because the subject grew out ofour re-
cent war. This four years struggle for ma
tons life win furnish thousands ofsubjects for
the poet, painteI, sculptor, dramatist, noqelist
and orator, as well as the historian. The time
has not yet come when such subjects can be
seen in their true light, and their fulness COM
pretended Ages must shed their light upon
them before the whole picture can be review
ed in all its aspecss and proportions, but time
will mellow as well as hallow it, and remote
generations viii gaze upon it with emotions
and sentiments of which even the most loyal
and patriotic nor have comparatively feeble
conceptions. Fast indeed have we made his
tory to interest coming generations, and wen
may our war become an epoch in American
annals.
The attendance in the afternoon at the Fair
was very large, and there seemed to be no
abatement in the interest felt in this exhibit
ton. The storm had but little effect in reduc-
ing the numbers, and every thing goes along
The slave children interested
the crowd with some good music, and every
body was glad to see them. 1t is idle to talk
of the want of the negroes capacity for culti-
walton and refinement. The recent war has
produced too many proofs to the contrary. All
the negro has ever wanted was a chance for
his improvement in all the arts Of civilization
to show his capacity. Our recent war has
given him the opportunity, and already its
glorious effects have been Witnessed upon the
race. A few years will convince the most in
veterate copperhead, North or South, that the
colored people Of our country have the capac-
ity for thigh state of culture and civilization.