The Portland daily press., 1878-06-12
Maine Men in California.
The Sons md Daughters of Maine q m the
Gold Coast.

The Oakland, California, Times of NAV 3Oth,
gives an account or reunion of Maine peo.
pie IN Oakland the previous day. 1t saws:
The fifst-annual reunion and picnic of the
MAINE Association of Almeda county was held
at smell Mound Park, yesterday. The assoc la
ton was formed in this city about two months
ago ior the avowed purpose of promoting So
dents Of the State of Maine. The present
0thoers are: President, N w. Spaulding.
FIRST Vice President. Geo. e. Whitney Second
VICE President, Luke Doe; Secretary, Chas.
u; Reed; Treasurer, W. G. Dinsmore.
The holding of an annual reunion is one of
the declared objects of the association, and
the hrst OF these events, held yesterday, was
an unequlvocal success, and will remain a red
letter day in the minds of the promoters of
the association, and those people who were
present at Shell Mound Park. About 600 per-
sops, mailing from every portion of this tate,
attended, notwithstanding the strong counter
draft of the Musical Festival in San Fran cisco.
and with the renewal of old acquai ainta nces
the forming of new ones, the cord ial hand
shakings, the quiet effort of each and every
one to make his neighbor happy, the day was
whiled away in the very perfection of social
enjoyment. Walcott's band was in attendance,
and the dancers held possession of the floor
throughout the day.
The literary exercises consisted of an address
by Judge Charles H. Chamberlain of Hallow-
ell, Maine, poem by the same gentleman, and
two songs written for the occasion by Sam
Booth and rendered by quartette consisting of
Sam Booth, John Eames, E. D. Harrington
and r. B. Potter. After the literary exercises
"a genuine New England dinner was eaten,
and the chronicler says with evident awe that
"Seventy-fve four-quart pots of pork and beans
and as many loaves of brown bread melted
away before the eager appetites of the guests"
He closes his report in these words:
In point of absolute respectabilty, and in the
absence of any person or incident that might
cast the faintest shadow upon the prevailing
sunshine, this reunion of the men and women
of Maine was notable. Not heodlum or per-
son of doubtful character ventured upon the
grounds. Not the suspicion of indulgence in
markeG by many that not profane or unpleas-
ant wofI, or even frown was heard or seen
within the gates during the day. If any pro-
family was induged in it must have been by the
barkeeper, who found business distressingly
bad. The officers of the association are more
than satisfied with the success of their efforts,
and although they expect that each succeeding
reunion will be an occasion of increased inter-
est, they do not hope to improve in the general
features on this the first
The following is Judge Chamberlain's poem:
COME BACK TO MAINE.
Come back TO 0lQ Name, TO the SURF beaten coast,
Where the waves rolling andward are scattered and
To her wild rocky inles and island gemmed bays,
10 her dear laughing brooks where the speckled
To her svery lakes mid her green hills that lie,
That the white lilies deck the stars deca the sky
To her orchards in blossom, the clov er in bloom,
To wealth of June roses and hlacs perfume,
To her Indian summer, when winds are at rest,
And her woods in the bright hues of autumn are
dressed,
To her winter mornings the frost and the snow
That sets the blood coursing, and the cheeks all
aglow,
To the sports your boyhood that made your hearts
thrill,
The skasing on ice and sliding down hill,
And better than all to the long moonlight tide
With bells on your horses and bellies by your side:
To the long winter evenings-the neighbory calls
And the neighborhoOd parties, far better than bals
To the lyceum lectures-the spicy debate
On questions that bear on the good OF the State;
To her singing schools too, where you went in high
glee,
Not for tunes you might learn, but for girls you
might see,
And to wait on them homeland to pause at the door,
Then to take one last-you know what, you've been
Come back to the parlors where the wood fire gows,
The very best place in the world to propose.
But il you can't come, wherever YOU be,
By your home on the mountain or your home by the
sea,
Remember the lessons we taught you in Maine;
Don't sacrifice honor for Office or gain,
Be honest, temperate, manly and brave,
Be generous in giving, yet careful to save.
Aud never be found on the side of the wrong;
If the multitude evil should seek to enthrone,
Stand mp for the right if you stand all alone.
At home let your temper be cheerful and sunny
Don't gamble in stocks with other peoples money.
II you Strike rich lode and get the control,
Don't freeze out small owners and swallow the
whole,
Or you'll find load that won't pay on your soul.
Let your girls too remember it isn't the way
That girls down in Maine do, to spend the long day
In singing Who'll Care for Our Dear Mother Now?'
While mamas in the kitchen her hands iu the dough
But they join in her labors and tighten her care
And of all her burdens they take their full share:
With hands that skltul and hearts that are true
They can do all that woman in honor can do
rney teach in the schoolrOom, can sing in the
choir,
Can shine in the parlor or cook by the fire.
Can turn from a man that the tailor has made
ro the man God has fashioned, though he works at
trade.
Can be deaf to the man that swears that he loves
With affection undying, if his breath mes ofcloves,
3ut can make real heaven OF any mans house,
and don't even scream at the sight of a mouse.
But Name knows her daughters, and granddaugh-
ters too,
Viii reflect on her teaching the credit that's DUE
NI for strong be noted for kindness De olest,
And will build up Maine homes IN the homes OF the
West. |
And to those who shall win them as partners, will
Zach one a honanza of poodpess and love,