The Portland daily press., 1871-07-29

the ADJOINING towns, left Rochester at Z 1-2
o'clock yesterday morning for an excursion to
Portland and a sail down the harbor. At
Lebanon, Springvale and other towns along
the HE the company was increased until the
train-or rather trains, for two were made
numbered about twenty cars and at least IooV
persons. The first train was in charge OF Ooh'
ductor O'Brjon and the second by Conductor
Berry, with Messrs Sawyer and Eagerly en-
| gineers. On account of the great weight OF the
| trains the arrival was delayed until half past
| TO- A very large concourse of citizens, with
| the Portland Band, received them on their ar
rival and as soon as possible a procession was
| formed, with the City Marshal and platoon
| of police at the head, the Portland Band, the
| Directors OF the Portland & Rochester Rail-
| road, aud a committee Of the Board Of Trade.
| in the order named composing the escort. The
| r Dchester Cornet Band, sixteen pieces Albert
C,rny, leader, had place in the procession.
which moved directly to City Hall and filled
the seats upon the floor. Hon. John Lynch,
President of the Railroad Company, called the
meeting to order and remarked that on account
of the want of direct Communications the peo-
pie of Rochester and Portland had heretofore
been strangers. The Portland & Rochester
Railroad had now furnished a means OF COM
municaton; and he was happy to see such del
egations from the New Hampshire towns and
Springvale and Lebanon, who had come to see
our city and make the acquaintance of the cit
liens. 1t gave him great pleasure to commend
them to the liberal hospitality of the Mayor of
Portland.
Mayor Kingsbury remarked that when he
looked from his window and saw such a vast
number Of people he asked himself if Portland
was to be made captive by New Hampshire;
wondered if they had left anybody at home to
take care of domestic affairs. 1t becomes my
duty, he continued, to welcome you to this
city. Welcome is but cold word. Our hearts
are open to receive you. The people of large
cities like New York often dc not know their
next door neighbors 1t is not so with the peo-
pie of Maine and New Hampshire. We have
only wanted means Of communication to en-
able us to look in each others faces. We
visited your town the other day and saw by
the outward tokens that-we were welcome, and
I looked in vain for the line of demarcation
between the two States. You have come to re-
turn that visit, and you are welcome. We may
be selfish, and perhaps you are too. When we
visited Rochester and looked upon your beauti-
full town said to our friends that we must bring
you to us. You desire to benefit yourselves.
and we want to show you that you can derive
benefits from your connection with Portland
When you leave this hall we propose to show
you our harbor. We want to show you to day
what we have as business town and shipping
port. Again bid you welcome and thank
you for this visit. ..
Mr.. Lynch then introduced Woodbury. S.
Dana, Esq, President of the Board of Trade
who spoke as follows:
Good friends from Rochester and vicinity. II
ever felt the need of inspiration it is this day
know the evil of public speaking is the offer |
ing of excuses. l omit these al d thank Won
for this visit, and extend to you the congratu- |
lations Of the Board of Trade. To most Of you |
Portland is strange city, but many of us have /
visited Rochester and its beautiful surround |
ings and received hearty welcome. I am
warned to be brief Your desire to visit our /
harbor shall be gratfed. We feel pride in /
it, and hope your visit to it will be pleasant,
and that when you return home you will not /
forget us.
Gov. Perham, who was on the platform, was
called forward by the presiding officer, and
gracefully welcomed the visitors in behalf of
The State to SO much of the city of Portland,
its harbor and islands as come within his jurs-
diction.
Mr.. j. f. McDuffie, one of the Selectmen of
was then introduced He said that
the other day the people o. Rochester turned
,rt in 10 - /
own bearing strange names-Portland, and
Androscoggin and Kennebec. But they are to
become familiar to US, and soon will be carried
urther west by the extension of the railroad
o Rutland and Worcester. where it is to Join
With the grand lines running to the center and
boundary of the continent. He closed by
banking the citizens of Portland for their cor
ial welcome. .r
The steamer John Brooks Immediately after |
ard took on board the excursionists, besides
lree or four hundred members of the Board OF
rade and Merchants Exchange and their
dies, making company quite as large as the
oat could carry with comfort. Every part Of
ne steamer was thrown open. and the officers
id all in their power to make the trip agreea-
lie. The run was down through Hog Island
pads, around Great Chebeague Island and ia
trough White Head passage-quite extended |
nough to give the strangers good knowledge
( the situation and advantages of the harbor.
he trip occupied about two and a half hours.
soth bands made the sail additionally pleas
ne by their good music. A number of i'm
'romptu vocal clubS were organized in differ
mt parts of the vessel, and citizens and guests
United heartily in good old melodies, which
opened the way to many pleasant personal
The steamer arrived at the wharf
hortly before o'clock, and the remaining
lour and a half was spent In viewing the city
md visiting the more prominent places of in
crest. We hope that the excursionists derived
s much pleasure from their visit as it gave the
itizens of Portland in welcoming them.