Oxford Democrat., 1883-07-03

which had called so many or them togeth-
er in their younger days, the company as
sembled on the chapel green. On the
platform of the chapel sat those distin-
guished guests who were to season the
exercises with maturer wit and wisdom.
Judge Percival Bonney of Portland,
student of the Academy in 1856, as master
of ceremonies or President of the Day, in
troduced the speakers with bright aud TAX
ing preludes.
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin was the first
speaker. He said he was present, at great
Inconvenience to himself, and under rather
suspicious circumstances. The United
States Marshal (Mr. Bisbee) had placed
his hands gently on the shoulders Of the
speaker, who, obedient to the summons,
accompanied this representative of the
legal power of the United States to his
home and to this historic spot. 1t was
owing TO Mr.. Bisbee's persistence that
Mr.. Hamlln left his duties at Bangor, and
all have to thank him for the pleasure con.
ferred by Mr.. Hamlin's presence and
words Mr.. Hamlin recalled his early
days at Hebron, and expressed the hope
that future days would see the Academy
greatly enlarged and suitable buildings
erected to accommodate much greater
number of students. He commended the
the students who had graduated during
the day, and urged them to make them
selves good citizens of Maine. He said he
had seen, many lands but there was no
place on earth so dear TO him as Maine (;
no State so worthy of honor, as 1t had
raised men, and sent them forth to occupy
the chief places In the nation, in the school
and in the business circle. He spoke at
length of the advantages which Maine pos
sesses over other sections of this country,
and predicted that when its water power
was fully developed, as the Pawtucket
stream is, the State would support pop
ulation OF seven million people. In ibis
day he had seen immigration TO Maine as a
new country; he had seen this changed To
emigration for the west; but the day was
coming when immigration was to again
set toward Maine, on account of her man
ufactories, mines and ship-building. The
I youngest present might not see the fulfil
ment OF his prophecy, but it was TO be, as
one OF the inevitable results of the devel-
opment Of our vast country. He hoped
that such institutions as Hebron Academy
would give the country good, intelligent
citizens 10 keep pace with material devel-
opment, and in this work wished Il abund-
ant prosperity.
Rev. DR.. Fuller OF Bath, 4 native OF
Paris, attended the Academy forty-three
years ago. This was his first return, and
he had found but one of his old classmates
on the ground today. He is proud Of
Maine, and longod for her hills and val
leys when travelling in other places. He
referred to incidents of his school days and
to those of this day.
Rev. G. VI. ?. King Of Washington, read
a lengthy poem, written for the occasion.
filed with sentiment and witty hits, apprc-
ciated by the Old students.
Ex-Goy. Dingley considered himself up-
fortunate that he could not be claSsed as
an alumnus with the distinguished gentle
men present, but hoped to be accepted by
adoption (hiS nephew was one of the pres
ent graduating class. He praised the
work done by Hebron in graduating 50
many distinguished men, and continued
the story Of Names greatness, as begun
by Senator Hamlin. He counted seven
teen men rom Maine, representing as
many States, in the last House of Repre-
sentatiyes. This was fortunate location
for a school, as the surroundings were all
such as 10 induce studious habit. II was
fortunate in the class from which is stu
dents came, as ninety-nye per cent of the
most successful men in all walks of life
were country bred boys.
Mr.. Bonney then introduced Hon. John
ID. Long, Ex-Governor of Massachusetts,
and the recently elected member of Con-
gress, with most humorous introduction.
Mr.. Long took up the vein, and kept the
audience in excellent spirit by his easy ad-
dress and pointed hits. Mr., Long spoke
of many students and instructors, whom
he and many present knew and had
known, and referred TO many incidents of
his early days at Hebron. Board he said
was then one dollar and nine pence per
week, with the nine pence thrown OF. In
case the student spent Sunday at home.
Mr.. Longs address was not wholly de-
voted TO humor, by any means, for he i'm
parted good advice TO the students, COM
plimented them in honest terms, and often |
moved the audience by his feeling refer
enees TO students, tutors and citizens who |
had been early called upon to lay down the |
burdens of this life.
As all these addresses were extempor-
aneous and contained much matter of spec
ial interest TO those only who knew the
Academy from thirty to fifty years ago, We
give but the orleiest abstract OF most |
marked points.
This speech OF Gov. Long closed the re-
union exercises, and there was general
scattering for home, as the hour for evening
farm duties had come and even passed. 1t
was great day for Hebron, aud the
citizens enjoyed it all the more because
they had done so much TO make the occa-
sion q grand success.
In the evening there was q concert by
Chandler's Orchestra Of Portland, which
was well attended.