The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-03-29
The Sons of Maine in Illinois,
ANNUAL REUNION OF THE SOCIETY AT CHI
CAGO. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. MUSIC AND
SPEECH-MAkING. Tributes TO THE PINE
TREE STATE


ANNUAL REUNION OF THE SOCIETY AT CHI
CAGO. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. MUSIC AND
SAFEGUARDING. Tributes TO THE PINE
TREE STATE.
Correspondence of the journal.
CHICAGO, March il, 1888. The Society of
the Sons of the State of Maine in Illinois was
organized three years ago, and elected Hon. +.
b. Washburn President. Last year Hon. j.
Young Scammon was elected President and on
last Thursday evening the third annual meet
ing took place at the Palmer House. A short
business meeting was held, resulting in the
election of Edwin NJ Brown, formerly of Ban
gor, as President Geo. NJ. Hurd, A. A. Libby
and Erastus Foster, Vice Presidents, Newton
Goodwin, Secretary, William Sprague, Treas,
|. b. Hobbs, G. NJ. Morse, B. V. Page, VIM +.
Frost, j. p. Smith, Jr., and Henry A. Hersev,
Directors. After the business meeting the
members repaired to the parors and soon after
nearly three hundred Sons and Daughters of
the old Pine Tree State marched into the ladies
ordinary, where an elegant supper was prepar-
ed. An orchestra furnished good music, and
quartet gave some fine selections. The Re
ception Committee included Geo. l.. Dunlap,
John 5. Brewer, John n. JeWett and Geo. NJ.
Sargent. The assemblage was one of which
every son and daughter Of Maine might wen
feel proud. The President, Mr. Brown, pre-
sided and invited Rev. DR.. Joseph Cummings
President of the North Western University at
Evanston, to invoke the Divine blessing. At
ter supper was ended ono wine having been
drank in Difference it is supposed to the "AIaine
law Mr.. Brown made some happy remarks,
giving reasons why he could not make a speech,
and then called on Mr. {. NJ. Morse formerly
Supt. of the Maine G. Il. R.) who gave Il short
sketch Of the life and character Of William
Henry Arnold, a former member Of the Socie-
ty who had died since the last meeting. Mr..
Geo. Hubert, another member, has died since
the last meeting, and the Hon. Leonard SWEET
spoke i'll fitting terms of the deceased. The
annual address was delivered by Hon. Melville
W. Fuller, who gave It brief history of the
State whose reception into the Union we were
celebrating, paid an eloquent tribute to some Of
the many eminent men and women who We're
born III the good old State--among those he
mentioned were LongfclloW, IIamlin, .JnO.
A. Andrew, VIM, Pitt Fcssenden and many
Understanding that Maine had reason to be
proud when her productions We're compared
With those of sister States. Hon. Leonard SWEET
followed in q short speech referring 20 his birth
place, and eloquently praisin. his native state
with her bracing mountain air, and cool sea
breeze. Much applause andlaughter was raused
by his happy reference to incidents Of bOyhoOd
days; the husking, with It's red ear; the sled ride
with perhaps some neighbours girl; the stub
bling" of the toes while going to school barefoot;
the winter spelling school in the district
school house. and at its close the pt-a-pat Of
the heart in fear of getting the 'mittcn" from
some fair one. Hon. Emery \. Storrs was
present as an invited guest. and responded very
happily when called on for speech. He told
. good many anecdotes Of his travels in the
State While on 4 political canvass. and which
caused much mcrrimrnt. In speaking of the
admiration he had for the staWart men of
Maine, he said there was a great deal of humor
in these strong men, and referred to the old
time custom of saying in obituary notices that the
deceased had gone to meet some other deceased
relatives. When Portland was small Il shiftlcss
individual died. He had never been known to
have any relatives aad his friends were at a
loss 10 6nd out Who he had gone to meet final
ly the problem was solved, ard the obituary
closed with the words, "Gone to meet his uncle
on his mothers side
After the speeches. Interpreted with music, a
sort Of old-fashioned sociablc was held some
INDUCED in dancing and 1T tie close Of the
evening all felt IN their hearts to say, 1T has
been good TO be here"
Among those present We're l. T. Stevens, j.
$. Stevens {. M. Morse, AIr. and Mrs. +. y. St.
yens, j, ). Brewer. G. II. Nllliken. Nh. and
Mrs. Geo y. Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. J. B.
Hobbs, J. J. CodiII, stephen r. Thurston, &.
2. kimbal, Rev. Dr. Joseph Cummings, Will
liam Duning. Jno. \. Jewett, Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo. NJ Sargent, and many others 5.