The Portland daily press., 1866-02-27
The Great Freedmen's Fair.

Ihe Treat Frecdlncn'S Fair.
This exhibition was opened at City Hall
last evening, and the attendance was such as
to convince everybody that the people are not
yet exhausted, nor their purses closely tied up.
Although very heavy drafts have been made
upon their blood and treasure during the past
four years, yet the loyal masses are true as
steel, and they hold not back when good is to
be done in the cause of humanity.
Our spacious Hall is handsomely decorated
for the occasion, and much credit is due to
those who have devoted their time and talents
to the good work. From the centre overhead
festoons of red, white and blue run to each
plaster and give beautiful appearance to
the room. The windows are draped with
flags, and shields are hung upon the walls
with the names of our brave officers who have
fought the battles of our country, and sustain
ed the government against rebels and traitors.
and also with the names of our Senators and
Representatives in Congress who are still
fighting for the cause of human rights against
wickedness in high places. o.,. t......q
The tables of the different religious societies
almost surround the hall, and are filled with
ornamental and useful article. We have not
time to be more particular now.
In front of the stage is fish pond ingeni-
ously contrived and handsomely omamented
with evergreen. Here the lover of angling
may make haul at a small expense. The
two fir trees loaded with painted egg-shells
look very beautiful and tempting. What these
shells contain remains to be seen by those whose
currency will bring them down from the
branches upon which they are suspended
Here are fun and fortune for the generous.
Near by stands the post Office where lovers
will be sure to find letters containing Just
what the tender heart is signing for. We ex-
pect the pleasant and accommodating Post
mistress will dispense a great deal of comfort
during the week. Young men and maidens,
stand not upon the order of your coming, but
60 boldly up to the windows and take your
letters, and you will breathe more freely and
your blood win circulate more joyously.
Upon the opposite side of the hall stands
beautiful arch where some splendid flowers
are to be seen, and purchased too, if the look
er on feels disposed to invest. That invita-
ton to purchase will be given in accents not
easy to be resisted, there can be no doubt
In the north corner of the hall is tent made
of flags in which confectionery may be had in
great variety. Here the little ones will love
to congregate. ft 80
In front of the proscenium is well of lem
onade, where the thirsty can find comfort
This is beautifully decorated, and no doubt it
will do good business. Those who put the
cups from this fountain to the lips of the Wis
itors will not be condemned; so, gentlemen,
walk up and Stake your thirst from this pure
fountain. sth
The reception room is beautifully decorated.
Here are deposited the contributions made by
individuals in and out of town, and we can
assure our rea.lers that there is great variety
of articles, and some of them are valuable and
all of them useful. And here we wish to say
the donors ask for them. As these articles
viii probably find ready sale, the ladies who
have the charge of this room are DESTROYS of
keeping their stock full. Our readers will take
the hint and govern themselves accordingly.
The gallery of Arts and Statuary is really a
place of great attraction. Here are displayed
some paintings of extraordinary merit. We
shall have more to say of these hereafter
The Committee feel under great obligations
to the New York artists who have contributed
some beautiful pieces, and also to Messrs.
Childs & jerks, 127 fremont Street, Williams
& Everett, PA Washington Street, and Hen
bricks, Doll & Richards, IA Summer Street,
Boston. These establishments add much to
the beauty of the gallery, and the contributors
will receive the receive the hearty thanks of
the managers of this great Fair. y
10 In a room adjoining this gallery of arts are
collected some trophies of our recent war,
which cannot fail to deeply interest those who
see them. q They tell a story of our country
which will long be remembered. by coming
generations.
In the rooms above, the visitors viii find
tables spread in fine style, and loaded with the
most tempting viands. Here the hungry will
find everything the most fastidious can desire.
Last evening the crowd was very large, and
happier faces we have never. seen assembled
within those walls. And no wonder joy spark
led in every eye, and every heart beat with
pleasing pulsations, for all felt as if they were
helping down-trodden race who have been
groaning in bondage for more than two centu-
ries. Thank heaven! the letters have been
struck from their limbs, and now they are their
own masters. No man, however high the po-
sition he may occupy, has power to enslave
them again. But we will not stop here to dis
cuss such questions. .,.rr ~
Chambers Band furnished some excellent
music and enlivened the scene About o..
clock Judge Kingsbury addressed the crowd
Ex-Gov. Washburn had been engaged to deliv.
er the address, but was Unexpectedly called
away from town, and Judge Kingsbury had
but short notice, but being a man always ready
the Judge spoke in nearly the following Ian.
guage:
9i 1t has been deemed appropriate by the Com
mittee in charge, to inaugurate this Fair, com.
menced as it is under such favorable auspices,
by brief explanation of its origin and pur-
pose, and they have requested me to perform
that agreeable duty. a avi .ss
The Portland Freedman's Aid Association
was organized few months since, as auxil.
larry to the National Freedman's Aid Commits
sion, for the purpose, primarily, of furnishing
teachers to the freedmen of the Southern
States, and secondarily, of supplying such ma
terial aid as might be in the power of the As.
ISOLATION to command.
The Executive Committee of this Associa-
ton, before a dollar had been contributed to
its funds, but confidently relying upon the
sure Providence Of God, and the long-tested
benevolence of the citizens of Portland, unan-
Imously voted to support at least twenty-five
teachers among the freedmen, and to raise dur
ing the present year twelve thousand dollars
for their support.