Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-28

the highest tribute of our admiration is paid
to the moral worth rather than to the material
success.
There is danger in a country like ours.
where the struggle for wealth is so fierce and
persistent, that the value of lives devoted
only to literary pursuits and taking no par,
in the great political and commercial move
ments of the dav, shall be underrated, and
that the debt which the community owes to
tnese men as exemplars and advocates of a
higher life, shall be ignored, but he who
brings home to the people the realizing sense
OF the true elements of human worth and
character. and BY his inspiring song or elo-
quence lifting them up TO higher ideal of
excellence, is certainly doing as much for his
race as he who fights their battles or makes
their law and treaties.
1t Is but natural that the place of mans
birth should be the spot about which his
warmest affections cluster, and that whatever
OF fame and honor he attains be q peculiar
heritage of its people. Our city claims the
honor of being the birthplace of one, who, as
an American poet and a man of letters, won
worldwide fame. and vet as great as is his
fame, the man himself was greater than his
poems.
1t has been said of him Those who knew
only the poems that he wrote, could only
form faint notion of the harmony, sweet
ness, manliness and tenderness of that which
he lived"
In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, our city
recognizes its most illustrious son, and would
fain do honor to his memory. She desires to
perpetuate by the sculptor's art, his noble
form and presence, that he may stand in our
midst as representative of the highest and
purest manhood. She would have her chill
dreu learn from him. lessons of hope, faith,
love and courage, which his life teaches. and
catch some of the inspiration which flows
from his broad and deep hearted humanity.
Thus may the influence of his gracious na-
ture be perpetuated as benedicuon to the
generation yet unborn.
As we unveil the bust and gaze on his face,
face that Charles Kingsley said was 1.-THE
most beautiful face he had ever seen," we
cannot but rejoice that Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow lived his life and that our city
can claim him as her son.
Immediately after his death. steps were
taken to organize Longtellow's Statue As
sociation, for the purpose of erecting bronze
statue of the poet in some public place in this
city. 1t seemed a wise matter, on such foot
ing, that the smallest subscrirtions might be
made available. and that participation in the
project should be general
As Longfellow is essentially the poet of the
whole people, one whose genial spirit per
vades every home, all have been invited to
subscribe.
The school children of our city and State
have subscribed their mites, others have con
tributed of their means more abundanty.
At a meeting of the association held this
day, it was announced that the larger part OF
the amount had already been raised. The
remainder, we believe, will soon be obtained
and Portland will have among its earlies
public monuments, the statue of the mos
hoDored and loved of American poets, oul
own Longfellow.
The services closed at 10 with Beethoven's
Hallelujah chorus.