The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-26

Judge Godfrey, and vote Of thanks were
rendered to him.
| An original report of q surveying party that
assembled Mt. Katahdin in 1920 was presented
from j. F. Elder OF Lewiston, and the thanks
OF the Society were returned. Mr.. Elder was
requested TO edit the report This Is supposed
to be the earliest measurement of Mt. Katah
din, or 'Kataadn" as it Is given, and they
found 1t to be 1886 feet. The report was made
to Gen. II. A. 8. Dearborn, and found among
his. papers which were dispersed by
auction few years since In Boston.
! Hon. Joseph Williamson called attention To
slander of early Maine settlers In mono
graph lately published by Mr.. Charles Fran
cis Adams 1t was voted that Mr.. William
son be requested to prepare for the Society a
response TO the same.
| Adjourned until 7.30 evening.
wAsHBURN MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
There was good attendance at the evening
exercises, which consisted entirely of tributes
to the memory Of Gov WashburD. Speeches
were made byJ. p. Baxter, Esq, Hon. Geo.
+. Talbot, Gov Perhsm, Joseph Williamson,
Ii. s. Burrage, E. II. Elwell and communi-
cation was read from A. w. Paine Of Bangor.
After calling the meeting to order President
Bradbury, with few Introductory remarks,
called upon Mr.. j. p. Baxter as tbs first
speaker.
MR.. BAxTERs REMARKS.
Mr.. Prestdent;-It is certainly with feelings
too deep TO brook set phrases Of rhetoric that j
speak Of our beloved associate tonight. He was
n ~ sahI alft hal he
deared himself to us all in an unusual degree.
We all remember him as wise counsellor, a
sturdy friend and genial companion, but in my
view, the most remarkable trait Of character
which he possessed, was his interest in the
public veal, which, quickened by an un-
quenchable enthusiasm, never waned and
never failed TO enkindle in those about him a
kindred interest. In many men who possess
the public spirit, one ever detects dislonance
born of selishness; but with our friend there
was no such sound; no jar of self marred the
clear ring OF his heart, and the recognition OF
this by others gave potency to his influence
which no ingenuity OF argument nor brilliancy
OF oratory could give.
This complete abnegation OF self impressed
itself upon me at my last interview with him.
He met me Ia his usual breezy manner, with a
hearty haDd-2rasp and "how goes everything" !"
aud after discussing the work of the Historical
Society, he said, well, one OF these days we
must have house OF our own," and, then, a
little more slowly, "how fine that will be FOR
us when we go down town, TO have cozy
place where we can meet and talk over matters;
Il will be fine; it will be hne" There was
pathos in all this which appealed TO me forci-
bly,. he was looking down TO the future and
planning for others. He we'll knew that the
consummation he wished was afar off, and that
he could not expect to enjoy il. b, ne he
he meant the Society;-those living after him,
aud he enjoyed the prospect as a selfish man
could not enjoy. Ny friends, / know that it
has been well said that:
"Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear"
Yet have no heart to add to the many eulo-
gies which wiH be cast like wreaths OF ira
grant flowers upon the bier OF our beloved az
sociate. will only say in the words Of his
favorite poet;
"KnOw then, o stranger TO the fame
OF this much-loyed, much-honored name!
tfor none that knew him need be told
warmer heart aieath ne'er made cold"
And now, Mr.. President, allow me to offer
the following resolutions OF respect To the
memory OF our deceased associate:
ResoiUed, That the Maine Historical Society
grieving at the loss of its beloved associate Is
rael Washburn, Jr., desires to express its re-
sspect for the man who has honored it by his
life and labors.
ResolUed, That while death has removed
him from our fellowship 1t has not removed
him from our memories, and that as a society.
whose otfice 1t is 70 cherish the memory Of the
men OF Maine who have honored the State by
lives OF usefulness to It, we will endeayor 10
perpetuate his memory.
Resolred, That the Society tender, through
It's secretary, TO the family Of our honored
brother, now deceased, a copy Of these resolu-
uons, with cur heartfelt sympathy for their
great loss
Hon. G. f. Talbot was the next speaker:
Mr.. President:
Although days have passed since the death
of our beloved friend and associate, the bene-
factor OF this society, his spirit still seems 10
hover around us, breathing last farewells and
kind benediciions. find il almost inn nossihle
TO connect him with the idea OF death, with
such a strength did he take hold of life. Who
OF us cen forget his manly qualities? His
firm will, his steady persistence of purpose.
his high courage, seemed rather to it him for
the stirring life OF the early ages, than these
years in which intrigue and craftiness are all
powerful. Who can measure his loss to the
Society Fully acquainted with all its work
ings, he seemed TO know at all times both
what was best TO do and who was best fitted
to act. Let us hope that his death will not for
long cripple the Society, but that some
younger man will be found With the zeal and
ability to take his place.
The record Of his public life is familiar to us
all. AS Representative to Congress. and as
Governor OF this State in the perilous times OF
the nation, his influence was always on the
side of right and justice. rhe question with
him always was, What is right? what is my
duty? what is the command of God? not
what is expedient. And no man did mere
Than he to Sustain the people in the great sac
rlhce which bad TO be made.
GOVERNOR PERHAM.
Gov. Pcrham was the next speaker. He said:
In the death of Israel washburn the society
has suffered an irretrievsble loss aud, as indi-
vlduais, we are called upon TO mourn the de-
cease OF one OF our most distinguished men,
bers. II is therefore fitting that in this public
manner we place on record our tributes Of re-
speet for his memory. A long personal ac-
quaintance with him had led me to regard him
almost as an elder brother. His early oppor-
tunities for education were limited, but what
he lacked in this respect was more than made
up by his intense love for learning aud the
enthusiasm with which he embraced every
opportunity for mental development
AS lawyer he took high rank. As member
OF Congress and Governor Of this State in its
most trying emergency he was ever in the
front ranks among his peers; having few IL
any, superiors As member OF this society,
and OF the educational, moral and business in
stitntions with which he was connected, he
won the hearts OF all with whom he was asso-
csted and his death has left many vacancies
which will be difficult TO fill. His faith in
God, and his strong confidence OF the final tri-
umphs OF good over evil, seemed TO strengthen
with his years, and no one could listen TO his
earnest words in his public efforts or private
conversation without feeling himself raised to
higher plane OF spiritual existence.
Mr.. Williamson, the next speaker, confined
himself TO a brief abstract of Mr. washburn's
public and private writings
The following communication was then read
by the secretary from Albert wv. Paine, of
Bangor:
"As an early and intimate friend Of Gov.
Washburn, desire to add my tribute to those
which have been already made Asa LAWYER
he was eminently fitted for his profession. OF
unexceptionable habits, industrious, attentive
TO business, of sound judgment, he was partic-
ularly adapted to literary work. A diligent
student, a great reader, blest with a reten-
I've memory, he soon took q high stand
In his profession, and would undoubt-
edly have risen to greater eminence had
not his attention been diverted by the
public duties to which he was early called As
Representative to Congress, his legal learning
soon gave him an advanced position, aud his
associates soon began to look up to him as
their leader. The confidence imposed In him
was unbounded. Business entrusted to him
was sure OF his careful attention, and his con-
stitnency felt that matters in his hands were
safe.