The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-06-18
THE WEBSTER MONUMENT.
Dedicated at Concord, N. H., Thurs
day.
Large and Distinguished Audience
Present.
Remarks of His ExcelIency, Governor
Frederick RobIe.

CONCORD June 17-IhlS is an eVentful
day in the history of this city. The dedica-
ton of the Webster statue here has called
together a large assembly of distinguished
people, Among those present are Governor
Robie. Governor Hill of New York, who is
visiting New Hampshire, the guest Of Hon.
Frank Jones of Portsmouth, Governor Rob
inson of Massachusetts and staff, ex-Gov-
ernor Hale of New Hampshire, ex-Minister
John A. Bingham of Ohio, Hon J. Went
worth of Chicago and Gustavus Locke, Uni
ted States Consul at Sherbrook.
The following letter of regret from Presi-
dent Cleveland was received:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c.. June II, 1886.
Hon Moody Cuarier, Governor Of Neao
Hampshire:
Dear Sir-l regret that pressing official du-
will not permit me to be present at the exer-
cises attending the unveIilBG of the statue
of Daniel Webster at Concord on Thursday
next. Every occasion which does honor to
this illustrious statesmen IS OF extraordinary
interest to all American citizens, since our
pride in his career and achievements is not
in the least limited by partisan influence or
by any sentiment less than national. 1t
weuld be well if in the capital of every State
there stood statue such as Concord boasts,
which should not only prompt the memory
of a man but which should also keep alive
through coming generations the love and
veneratiOn of American people for true
American greatness.
Yours Very Truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
1t is estimated that over 10000 are in Cen
cord, and it is said that this is is the largest
gathering of the alumni OF Dartmouth college
ever held.
The great procession started promptly at
noon and after traversing the principle street
drew up in front of the State house where
the statue stands and where the literary eX-
erciSeS took place.
The dedicatory oration was delivered by
DR.. Samuel c.. Bartlett, president of Dart
mouth college, from which Mr.. Webster grad
uated in 1901
After the delivery of the Grafton Gov. Rob-
inson was introduced and spoke pleasantly
of Massachusetts, delight to join with New
Hampshire in paying tribute to Webster. A
far grander monument than this, he said, not
reared with human hands, stands to testify
of his public work and services. 1t rests on
every inch of soil in this great republic OF the
United States of America 1t is the shrine of
union and liberty consecrated by his abilities
and power and Sanctltled even IN the hero
ism and blood of the sons who perilled all
that liberty should survive and union endure
Gov Hill of New York was then introduce
ed and spoke at some length.
The president then said: 'The chief
magistrate of the State of Maine is here to-
day to do honor to the memory of Daniel
Webster, and l will introduce His Excel
leney Governor Robie;' {Applause)
Governor Robie said: / thank you very
much for this cordial greeting. | am aware
that it is not personal in its character, but it
is largely due to the fact that am here to-
day to represent the State of Maine, and |
am glad to be here, and equally glad to join
in these interesting exercises. j bear with
tha axxyicE rnnd will and tn Ia tiOnq
of the people of the State which represent
for what YOU have done in homer of that
great man. Daniel Webster. (Applansel |
have not the honor of being a son of New
grandson. (Applause) My father was born
here in 1882, the very year that gave birth to
that great man, Daniel Webster, and he was
his friend, his political friend and his great
admirer.
| recollect very well my earliest view of
Daniel Webster, which was looking at
cheap portrait which my father, for over flf-
ty syears had hanging in his library. 1t
hangs there today, and am glad to notice
here in this beautiful city, under the shadow
of your churches and school houses, and in
front of your capitol, that there stands DAN
iel Webster. (Applause). Michael Angelo
once made a great statue of Moses, and
when he had finished it he said it was so
complete and life-like that he walked up and
said speak, or will break you into thous-
and pieces" and that statue has lived now
for centuries and speaks in favor of the man
who made it, and this statute will remain,
and will speak in language which perhaps
we cannot understand because it is silent,
but it still speaks. 1t speaks for this great
nation, for which he was an advocate: 1t
speaks for liberty and constitutional law.
It is representative of the civilization Of
New England, and it speaks for that, and
may it stand and may it forever speak to
the people of New Hampshire, to the men of
Maine and to the people of the civilized
world, of the principles he advocated and
for which he was the great exponent.
Dispatches OF cong ;atulatory nature
and Of sympathy with the object OF the
gathering were received from the Bunker
Hill Monument Association, Hon. Samuel j.
Tilden and others. At the close of the exer-
cises at the statue the alumni dinner was
held. Judge Walbridge A. Field of Boston,
presided. Hon. Mellen Chamberlain Of Bos-
ton was introduced as the orator of the oc-
cosion. Hon Geo. A. Marden of Lowell
acted as toastmaster.
Gov. Pingree of Vermont followed with
brief address, and was in turn succeeded by
Hon. John A. Bingham of Ohio.