Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-06
LEWISTON. Aug. Z

Today has been one of the most interest
ing in all Of the history of Livermore This
town had the happiness to give birth to
that family of Washburn's, whose public
life and devotion to the Union and the cause
OF liberty, have made their fame word tide.
They have served as legislators, as executive
officers, in the field and in foreign stations
They have always met the confidence re-
posed in them, and the people have always
disposed to place in them the most RESPONSE
bic positions.
The survivors of the family have done a
graceful act, and pursued the most successful
possible means to keep the memory of the
family green in the hearts OF the people of
their native town, by err citing at the Nor
lands handsome granite building as Me-
mortal Library. The building is an enlarged
copy of the library building that captivstes
every beholder at Hallowell. 1t was erected
from fIallowell granite by the Bodwell Gran
te Co.
The building is 32 by 48 feet, with porch.
1t has high slated roof The large stained
glass windows add to the beauty of the ex-
terror. The interior walls are beautifully
frescoed, and are hung with life sized por
traits of many prominent persons come ected
with the history of the town. Notably, those
of Mr.. and Mrs. Israel Washburn, (by Hea-
ly,) DR.. Hamln, ex-Vice President Hamlin,
his son, Hon. Cornelius Holland, ex-mem-
Der of Congress, Gov. Washburn of Maine,
Gov. Washburn of Wisconsin. Hon. f. b.
Washburn, ex minister to France, Hon. w.
ID. Washburn, ex-member OF Congress from
Minnesota.
The building was completed last year but
the dedicatory exercises were postponed that
Hon. +. b. Washburn might be present.
Meantime, VIM. Pitt Washburn, Esq. son
of Hon. +. b., has been engaged in srrang
ing and cataloguing the books and placing
upon the walls maps and documents. SO the
work of filling the building is already well
advanced. The library of the late Hon. Is
rael Washburn, forms the nucleus and is
already on the shelves. Other works have
been added as fast as selections could be
made.
Wednesday morning, a thousand or more
citizens of Livermore assembled at the Nor
lands to listen to the dedicstory exercises,
which were opened at ll.30 A. NJ, by sing
ing by the choir of the church.
The principal address was by the Hon. f.
II. Washburn of Chicago. who is spending
the summer at the old homestead. He made
a speech an hour, in length. He sketched
the lives of the early settlers of the town of
Lvermore, dwelling particularly. of course,
upon he history of his father and mother, to
whose memory, this elegant building they
were dedicatng, had been erected.
He said 1t was under the empire of no
ordinary emotion that he came to the spot
where he was born, to honor the memory of
his father and mother, and to pay tribute
of his respect and admiration for the virtues
of the first settlers Of his native town of Liv-
ermore and of his native county. In all the
struggles and vcissitudes of An active life,
both in private walks and public positions in
his own and foreign lands, Mr.. Washburn
said there had never been a day when he
could not repeat in abiding affection for his
native spot. the couplet of Goldsmiths
"Where ere l roam, whatever realms to see'
my heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee
Liyermore has history of which all OF its
sons may be proud. 1t was named after
Deacon Elijah Livermore, grandfather o'
ex- President Hamlin, who honored the oc-
casion with his presence. Mr.. Wsshburn
smoke of the life. character and public ser
vices of ex-vice President Hsmlin and I'm
othy O. Howe. United States Senator from
Wisconsin for is years and postmaster gen.
eral in the Cabinet of President Arthur, who
was a native of Livermore.
He was followed by Hon. Hannioai Ham
lin who was full of "reminiscences OF the oio
time. Mr. Hamlin's grandfather was the nrs'
doctor in Livermore. He selected the lot on
which the wsshburns settled, and built the
house in which they lived. He paid glow
ing tribute to the Washburn family. he
smoke about half an hour.
Mr.. Hsmlin dwelt upon the fact that hon
F. b. washburn selected general for the
American Army, by seeking out Grant and
securing for him commission as brigadiei
General.
Senator FRYE made a half hours speech
In closing he said the nearest he came to
b.inr Livermore man, was in the fact tna'
his daughter made the selection OF a son oi
Livermore for his sou-in law.
After the exercises an elegant eoiia'ion
"a. served at the Norlands to q large com
n.uv of invited guests, which closed the eA'