The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-02

| before the storm. like the stately oak tnal
has withstood the storms and tempests OF
hundred years, it soon, like that grand mon,
arch of the forest, once more stood
erect. and moved onward with the power
and energy furnished by the earlier settlers
| of this ancient and honOred town. The first
settlers Of this town were men drawn large
ly from the mother Commonwealth. Among
the early settlers, call to mind some few of
| the prominent and honOred names who lived
among you and many of whose des cendants
are with you still, honering the community
| in which they dwell
We find the Fessendens, ,Bradleys. Osgoods,
| Chases, Ripleys, Danas, Westons, McMul-
| Ions, Wards, Barr0ws, Pages, and many 9TH
| ers whose names | do not now recall, but
| who are equally entitled to honorable mem
| ton among the first and foremost of the set
| tiers in this quiet land of beauty. All were
| conspicuous and able, commanding respect
| wherever known many Of whom filed with
| distinguished ability some of the first ofii-
| ces in the gift of the people.
/ well remember one young man, a naIlVe
| to the manor born-the Hon. stephen Henry
! Chase-who left you many years since, after
| having filed with rare ability high positions
| in his native State, for home on the far-of
| Pacific slope, where for time he lived and
prospered, but long since passed to that un-
| discovered country and lies buried in that
| distant land of strangers, so far away from
| his native rock-bOund hills he loved so well.
| l have regarded him as one of the most
| scholarly and brilliant men that ever left our
| State.
Possibly others equally deserving could be
| named, but f0rbear; they were men of
| steady character, frugal, industrious intel
ligent, courageous and independent. They
came here conscious of the great sacrifice
they were making, in leaving kindred and
home behind them, but they came for
noble purpose, to wit; to assist in found
ing and building another commonwealth.
How well they succeeded in their great
undertaking their descendants assembled
here to-day can behold with their own eyes.
As we look around upon the pleasing picture
before us, the grandeur and beauty of the
scenery upon every hand furnishes its own
best answer.
They found it a wilderness inhabited by
savage beasts and more savage men. Be-
hold what the hand of industry has accom-
plished! They went to work with will,
and literally made the wilderness 'to bios
som as the rose." Do their descendants
realize and appreciate the great sacrifices
made for them by their honored kindred who
have passed over to the other shore?
| fear not; we take as a matter Of course
all that legitimately falls to us without paus-
ing to ask from whence it came. To-day we
are enjoying the fruits of great industry ae-
cumulated by the combined labors of more
than three generations. My friends, let us
pause and return our deyout and heartfelt
thanks for such wonderful bountieS
The idea of forming our society was first
conceived by few gentlemen from Oxford
county living in Portland The matter was
thoroughly discussed before it assumed de-
finite form. At last we met and formed
our present society. The object of the
society was to cultivate friendly relations
with each other, and to revive and perpetuate
the memories of our early homes and native
county. By our bylaws, it was unanimous
ly voted that there should be an annual re-
union of the members of the society under
the management and direction of its officers.
In and by virtue of that agreement we have
hall oil lrQn Nnfr1
A. 1882, in the city of Portland. This year,
my friends, it was thought best to substitute
the green fields and dales of country life,
there to inhale for time the pure mountain
thereby giving health and strength to those
who receive the same. We knew of no
better or sweeter spot for days outing than
this fair land of yours upon the banks of the
winding Saco We would not and could not If
we would, forget other noble towns in our
good old county. We extend to them all our
cordial greeting, we hail and salue you.
While the human heart is strange and mys-
terious thing, moved by. thousand differ
ent impulses, truly believe that wherever
the sons and daughters of old Oxford are
found, their heart turns fondly to the land
of their birth, amid the green hills and
streams of their mountain homes.
Now, my dear friends, have we so far, as
members of the association, accomplished
the objects and ends for which it was form
ed? Have we extended the right hand of
fellowship, visited the sick and afflicted, or
tried to aid the downhearted? These, it
strikes me, are not idle or improper ques-
tions from dream-land, but proper ones from
the land of sober reality. | leave the an
swer to the heart and conscience of each in
dividual member of the society, without
passing Judgment upon any, merely remark
ing that 'it is human to err, divine to for
give"
Ladies and gentlemen, When asked ''where
are our jewels, | point to the noble sons
and daughters of Oxford, and answer in the
immortal language of the mother Of the
Gracchi, 'These are our jewels" They are
here, save those noble spirits, who, like an
advance guard of the army of humanity,
have moved across the river to the other
shore and now dwell at the great eternal inn
trust and hope and believe that through the
enduring mercy and goodness Of Him who
doeth all things well, they rest safe and Sc
cure in that better country where justice is
perfect and right is absolute forever.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for
your kind attention and, in conclusion, per-
NIT me only to say that the occasion fOrbids
my having said less, and time f0rbids my
saying more.
Gen. J. ]. Perry happily responded to
call for remarks and Mrs. C. A. Woodbury.
read an original poem.
Felicitous speeches followed by Mayor
Chapman, Col. j. M. Adams, Hon. Geo.
F. Emery, Hon. Geo. H. Walker, and Hon.
Geo. B. BarrOws.
At the conclusion of the meeting the COM
pany grouped in front of the Oxford House
and were photographed by Mr.. Heath, of
Portland.
A goodly number visited Highland Park,
during the day and were agreeably enter
tanned by Mrs. DIR. Buzzell and shown the
quaint relics of antiquity in the log cabin.
Praise of the handsome style in which the
people received their visitors was on all
tongues and it was we'll deserved.
Next year it is proposed to meet in Bethel.