The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-07
IN CITY HALL.
Grafton by Hon. T. 8. Reed, MRS.
Wooison's Poem and Mrs.
Cavazza'S Ode.

WOOtSOn 3 FOGUl anu NiFSs
Cavazza'S Ode.
Long before the hour appointed for the lit
erary exercises in City Hall the audience be-
gan to assemble and by 10 o'clock the extra
seats and larger aisles were crowded and late
comers couldn't get near the doors. The hall
was beautifully decorated.
Around the ventilator in the center of the
hall was handsome circular design of blue
bunting with stars; radiating from thence in
every direction were blue and white stream
ers. They were cut at the various pillars
and the ends hung in folds. The entire
background of the stage was covered with a
piece of scenery representing the naval con-
flict between the Enterprise and the Boxer
off Monhegan The painting was executed
by Story. Over the top of this picture was
the word 'sWelcome," in large red letters,
and above, 1876 and 1885, Above these were
looped folds of red, white and blue bunting
entirely around the hall, Flags dropped
from the top of the canvas to the bottom on
either end. On one side was the Maine coat
of arms and on the other the Mas sachusetts
coat of arms. Red and white, and blue
and white festoons appeared under the coats
of arms. The tri-colored bunting was looped
gracefully along the front of the stage. In
the window inches were the coats of arms of
the various States, with flags of different ma
tions and on the pillars flags were festooned
in designs of butterflies, with shields in the
center. White lace was draped around the
gallery, caught with small glittering stars
and shields.
AT the right on white groundwork and in
red letters was the old Indian name Machi-
gonne. The following names, displayed in
the same manner, with pretty designs be-
tween each surrounded the gallery Casco
Bay, the next name given to our city; the
Neck, a later appellation; Falmouth, the old
English name, and finally Portland. Alter
mating with these names were first on a
groundwork of flags the centennial shield
bearing the dates 17S6-1SS6 the Maine coat of
arms, and another centennial shield.
Chambers Band, preliminary to the exer-
cises, played several choice selections in
their inimitable style.
Precisely at 10 o'clock Mayor Chapman
followed by Hon. I. B. Reed, Mrs. Abba
Goold Woolson and Others who participated
came upon the platform. Following them
were Governor Robie and staff, Mayor Gregg
of Hudson, New York; ]. Allen Jack,
Deputy Mayor of st. John; Judge Henry
Carter of Haverhill; Rev. Samuel Long
fellow, of Cambridge; Rev. DR.. Thomas
Hill; DR.. A. G. Hamlin, Bangor; Rev. DR..
Hamlin, formerly president of American Col
lege at Constantinople; ex-Postmaster Gen
eral Horatio G. King, Washington; Rev.
DR.. L. c. Bolles, Salem Rev. Elijah Kel-
logg, Harpswell; Prof. Henry L. Chapman,
Bowdoin College; ex-Mayor NJ. F. King,
Hon. Bion Bradbury, Col A. w. Bradbury,
Rev. DR.. Chickering, New York; Gen. Beal,
Norway; Rev. Hugh S. Carpenter, Brook
lyn; Hon. Chas. Mclaughlin, George S.
Hunt, II. W. Hersey, Geo. G. Burgess, Rev.
Henry Blanchard; Horatio E. King, New
York; Rev. Dr.! Fem, 0. B. Whitten,
Brown Thurston, Hon. Jacob Mcclellan,
Chas. S. Fobes, j. S. Winslow, Cyrus Now
ell and Rev. Mr.. Crosley.
After they were seated Chandler played
Catlin's American overture in an effective
and pleasing manner. The American hymn
was then sung by the Haydn Association,
Mr.. Hermann KotZschmar, conductor. The
chorus was seated in the rear gallery, and
the effect all over the hall was excellent.
Mayor Chapman then introduced the Rev.
Leavitt II. Hallock, who offered prayer.
After the Haydn chorus had sung the Star
Spangled Banner with great spirit, the
Mayor made the following eloquent address,
of WELDON to the sons anu daughters of
Portland.
MAYOR CHAPMAN's ADDRESS
Ladies and gentlemen,-A century, in many
respects the most important in recorded his
tory has elapsed since Portland was incor-
porated as a town. The genius of that cen :
tury, as applied to our own country, has been
material and moral development, toward which
our city has literally contributed. AS if tc
presage the patriotic spirit which should al
| ways Undue her people, it is significant thai
| Portland's birthday occurred upon the anni-
versary of our national independence. Mos
| certainly has the inspiration Of that day mani
| tested itself in many heroic incidents in oul
| military and naval history; but not alont
| here, as true patriotism lies everywhere along
the line of national we'll being, which, we arr
| proud to say, has ever been an object of loya
| devotion among Portland's sons and daugh.
ters. For, embracing in their number distin-
| guished statesmen, authors, poets, jurists
| divines, men eminent in every walk of life
and others though less widely known yet no
less worthy, tell me, in what city, town o
community in this wide land has not been fel
the benefcent power of some son, or the ele-
waiting influence of some daughter of Portland
On this glad day, it becomes my pleasan
duty, in behalf of the city, to welcome to th
home of their childhood many of these re-
turning sons and daughters; and, also, to tn
associations of former years, many others who
"though not born on the homestead, yet b,
long residence became part of the family.
| All, whose wandering feet retrace to-day
| The path which led you from these scenes away,
| Within whose breast, wherever you may roam,
The faith still lives, which points to childhood
| home,
| we bid you, hail?
We welcome you to our hearts and homes
to which you are bound by many endearinI
ties. We welcome you to the full freedom o
our city, whose honor you have always pro
noted and held in most sacred keeping
While we cannot show you that evidence 0
rapid municipal growth to which many of yor
are accustomed in your adopted homes, yet d
not familiar places possess tenderer interest