The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-08

honey but rather land of hill and maintains
of rugged aspect and unfrendly SOIL but II
seems as II 1t we're under conditions such as
these that nature did her best work. Instead of
crops she gives us race of hardy, vigorous,
self reliant men, who go forth conquering and
10 conquer. Such Is the history OF Oxford
County. She has given Us governors, judges,
generals and last but not least women, whose
virtues as mothers, wives ard daughters shine
as bright, nay brighter than all the honors and
trophies that have been won by her SONS.
IDere Is no county in the State, l believe
tnat has given us so many prominent and dis
tingnlshed men as Oxford County. They are
to be found in every state OF the Union, but
wherever you find them. you find the same
characteristics of thift, energy and enterprise
that have marked them in their early homes.
have long known them for these qualities in
our city affairs, but did not always know that
they were Oxford men, and this knowledge
has simply increased my surprise at the prodi-
gality that nature has lavished toward Oxford
County.
1t gives me great pleasure to acknowledge
the debt which this community owes to the
sons OF oxford, and desire to express the
less.
song from the quartette followed, and
President Emery in few words made general
the opportunity for speaking and invited any
one TO growl, speak or sing, at win, but to be
~~~S t'N4N -'Op 70 ONcK 4N0 LuluultS III uOlDE lE
Mr.. Moulton was called for, and after hum
orousy expressing his pleasure at the opportu-
nifty offered him filed up his time with re-
cital of "Betty and the bear"
Gen. j. j. Perry the chair recognized but he
declined to take time from other people and
gave way TO Mr.. O. e. Jose who in a few
words, prompted by the information gained
from speech of member of this association
last year, eulogized the New England charac.
ter, and Oxford county for the large share of
prominent men it had produced to typify it.
Mr.. Elwell, ''caught 90 the fy'' as he ex-
pressed 1t, returned his thanks for the honor
conferred and pleasantly accounted for the abb
sence Of Oxford bears in Portland journalism,
and narrated story showing the power Of
man who was known to come from Oxford
county. In view of the success of Oxford
county men elsewhere he proposed that our
legislature lay an embargo on their emigra-
tion, for the sake of Maine and the poor fellows
elsewhere.
Mr.. Ripley of Fryeburg when called for, re-
sponded with an original poem full of personal
illusions well appreciated by the company.
Mr.. Bisbee responded to call in few
words and was followed by ex-Gov. Perham
who spoke for those OF Oxford county who had
gone elsewhere than to Portland, citing the
names of many prominent men and giving
proofs Of the usefulness and high standing of
the "bears everywhere. He said one school
district of the county has given to us Vice
President, two or three Cabinet ministers, two
Senators, eight Representatives to Congress
and lesser officials without number
The quartette again sung, and President
Emery was called upon to read poem. 1t
was crowded with references to old pastimes
and events which served to awaken recollec-
tions of past years in the mind of many bear
At its conclusion, owing to the lateness of the
hour, further speeches were dispensed with,
and the election of officers was proceeded to,
and q nominating committee of FIVE members
selected. The thanks of the Association we're
given to the quartette for their excellent
music.
The committee returned and reported the
following officers who were unanimously
chosen:
President Hon. j. j. Perry.
Vice Presidents-S. @. Andrews j. NJ
Adams, DR.. s. @. Gordon.
Secretary and Treasurer-A. l.. Burbank.
Executive Committee-C. ID. Brown, f. E.
Boothby, FL. r. Virgin, DR.. A. 5. Thayer, E.
S. Osgood.