The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-23

/ iHSHer plane Dy the Seiilie cart VI L iolcAe
Nightingale in the hospitals of Scutari. HOY
many boys in blue could testify to new re
solves and higher aspirations born of tn
kindness of the noble women, who. in til
recent struggle for national existence, LEI
their homes in the North to minister to tn
sick and wounded soldiers. There can be NJ
surer test Of the character of the people of
state, than the manner in which they provid
| for the wants of the unfortunate. To tn
thoughtful visitor to this beautiful city, tn
towers which rise above this hospital roo
will ever suggest one fact, more glorious thai
any statistics of mere material prosperity
that our goodly State is the home of tru
! men and true women.
| Neither should we forget the influence which
| apublic hospital like this exerts in strength
ening those human ties which make free in
stitutions possible. A despotic government
may exist by the mere force of authority
where society is divided into classes or castles
separated by practically impossible
barriers; but government rest
ing on the popular will Is pos
sible only where manhood is the one recog-
nized aristoclacy, and humanity the touch.
stone of governmental obligation. Our polit-
ical system is founded on the grand idea Of
equality of rights and privileges. Our theory
is-and it is a theory which has its roots in
the great truths of Christianity-thatg govern
ments are established to promote the we'll
being of all men without distinction. Popu-
lar governments, therefore, are strong in pro
norton as all the citizens see tangible evil
dences that this is the animating spirit.
No one element in our system inspires
greater confidence or exerts a more healthy
restraining influence among what are some
times called the dangerous classes" than
the attention which is given to relieving the
wants of the poor, and promoting the welfare
OF the insane, the deaf and dumb, the blind,
and otherwise unfortunate. There may be
some who regard this consideration as OF
little moment; some who, with Adam Smith
and Gibbon. may compare the immense
strength of civilization with the weakness of
barbarism, and reason that there is little dan
ger of another overthrow of social order.
Let such keep in mind the warning of Eng
lands great historian. and consider that in
the very heart of great capitals, in the very
neighborhood of splendid edifces and costly
warehouses, unrestrained vice and ignorance,
and unrelieved misery, may produce race of
Huns hercer than those who marched under
Atilla, and Vandals more bent on destruc-
ton then those who followed Generic. Thus,
institutions for the relief of human suffering
are not only result OF advanced civilization,
but also and especially one of the means by
which such civilization is perpetuated and
improved.
should do injustice to my own feelings.
as well as yours, if should fail to recognize
in this institution the outgrowth and express
sion of Christianity. The highest Pagan
civilization never even conceived of such an
idea as has given public hospitals to every
Christian nation. 1t was not till the Savior
promulgated the doctrine of the brother
hood of man, that there came to
the whole race definite and authorita-
tive answer to Gains inquiry, sam l my
brothers keeper:" This hospital, which you
now dedicate to suffering humanity, bears
witness as truly to the progress and infu-
ence of Christianity, as do the church spires
which point heavenward in this city, and all
over the land. The great truth SO strikingly
presented in that beautiful parable of the
Good Samaritan, which has been bearing
precious fruit for almost twenty centuries,
you have wrought into an ediice whose halls
will ever welcome the afflicted, and whose Of
fee it is to bind up the wounds of the suffer-
ing.
You who have given so largely of your
means to found this charity, have not asked
whether it will yield a return in dollars and
cents, for Christianity has laugh. you the
grand truth that SIT is more blessed to give
than to receives" and you well know that
there is far sweeter compensation than gold
and silver in the satisfaction which comes
from doing good to our fellow man. You
have contributed in the spirit of that Chris
tan Chief Magistrate of the Old Bay State
who, when asked if it would pay to expend
large sum for the erection of a reformatory
institution, which, it was claimed, would save
T.. al
would pay if one of them was my son!'' To
you, who breathe the atmosphere of a Chris
tan civilization, every human being bears the
image of the Common Father, and has the
stamp of brother man. How fitting, there
fore, is it that in dedieating this edifce to
the relief of human suffering, there should be
a grateful recognition of the value of those
Christian principles which have inspired the
idea that has given birth to this hospital, and
all similar institutions throughout the world.
From this time henceforth this spot will be
sacred ground; these buildings consecrated
halls. Sacred ground, because on it rests an
institution dedicated to the service of the sick
and wounded, the infirm and helpless. Con-
secrated halls, because they are set apart for
the ministrations of love to suffering human
ity. Enter upon thy noble mission, benef-
cent institution! and in the years to come
thousands shall rise up to bless the founders
of the Maine General Hospital.
The orchestra from the Portland Museum,
under the direction of VIM. Ihnenfeldt, gave a
choice selection of music
The President then introduced the President
of Bowdoin College, Joshua L. Chamber
lain.
President Chamberlain thought there was
not one present who could not respond to the
sentiments here to-day. He spoke of the be-
ginning of the institaton, of the labors of those
who began the enterprise which has resulted
in this fine building. He referred to the great
aid that hospitals rendered in the late war, and
to the effort of people to build hospitals as the
great civizers of the age. This noble charity
is Christian institution in more phases than
one. What you have done in this effort will
never be forgotten.
The President next introduced the Rev. DR.,
Smaller, who spoke briefly, mentioning a hui
morous remak made to him on the way to the
hospital in regard to his going to look after the
best room. He spoke of the state OF Maine as
his mother-inlaw, and he thought that the old
lady had used him we'll In all the places that
he has here in Maine. He congratulated the
physicians of this city on now having ap'ace
where they could attend their patients. He
spoke very highly of the character of she physi-
clans Of our city. The work tina. is to be done
here was instituted by Jesus himself.
The next speaker was Rev. Mr.. Gibbs also of
this city. He thought that the more we be-
came acquainted with this Institution the more
faith We should have in eur physicians. He
said that it was very appropriate TO invite the
ladies to be present as it was woman that
started the first hospital that the word ever
saw.
The next speaker was the Rev. Mr.. Jones.
He stated that his remarks would be very brief
On his arrival in the city eighteen months ago,
he was at once interested ia the project. He
thought this institution was the very ideal Of
Christian charity, and no one can say that there
is any selfshness here He closed his remarks,
which were very appropriate, by referring to
the fine location.
The President next called upon Ex-Governor
Washburn. Mr.. Washburn thought this build
ing the best remark that the directors could
possible make. He thanked the Governor for