Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-18

~ soe uu'ChiuS VI TIE W eOeter statue pre-
sented to the State by Benjamin Pierce
Cheney, an orstion was delivered by Rev. DR..
5. q. Bartlett. letter was read from the
President. an ode composed for the occasion,
and recited by VIM. C. Sheppard.
The Presidents Letter.
The following letter from President Cleve-
land was read.
ExBcUrlTE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, d. c., June l2 I
Honorable Moody Currier, Governor OF New
Hampshire
Dear Sir regret that pressing official
duties will not permit me to be present at the
exercises attending the unvelling of the statue
of Daniel Webster at Concord, on Thursday
next. Every occasion which does honor to
this illustrious statesman is of extraordinary
interest to all American citizens, since our
PRIDE IN his career and achievements is not
the least limited by partisan influence, or by
any sentiment less than national. 1t would
be well if in the capital of every State there
stood statue, such as Concord boasts, which
should not only prompt the memory of the
man, but which should also keep alive through
coming generations the love and veneration
OF the American people for true American
greatness. Yours very truly
(Signed), GROVER CLEVELAND.
1t Is estimated that 10000 persons were in
town. Gov. Robinson of Massachusetts and
staff and Gov. Hill of New York, arrived early
in special trains. The great procession started
promptly at noon and after traversing the
principal streets drew up in front of the State
House where the statue stands aud where the
literary exercises took place.
A large number of distinguished guests
were present including U. S. Senators, Con-
gressmen, Governors of various New Eng
land States, including Robie of Maine, and
members OF his staff, judges and ex-judges of
supreme and other state courts, ex congress
men and men prominent in legal, military and
| GIVE positions in New England. The process
sion was most imposing. Gov. Marston
| opened the exercises introducing Judge Geo
w. Nesmith, who gave an address. Benz. p.
Cheney of Boston, the donor of the statue
then spoke, the statue being unveiled while
he was speaking. Gov. Currier received the
statue on behalf of the State. After Gov.
Curriers' address, the orator of the day, Rev
Samuel c. Bartlett, president of Dartmouth
College. delivered his oration This was fol-
lowed by an excellent ode by VIM. c.
Sheppard of North Scituate, Mass, after
which speeches were made by many distin-
guished guests.
After the delivery of the ode, Gov. Robin
son was then introduced and spoke pleasantly
of Massachusetts delight to join with New
Hampshire in paying tribute to Webster. for
grander monument than this, not reared
with human hands, stands to testify of his
public work ard services. 1t rests in every
inch of soil in this great republic of the
United of America. 1t is the shrine of union
and liberty consecrated by his abilities and
power and sanctified anew in the heroism and
Of hp Hal, IL,
should survive and the union endure.
Gov. Hill of New York was then introduced
and spoke at some length. The president
then said:
The chief magistrate of the State of Maine
is here today to do honor to the memory of
Daniel Webster, and l will introduce his
excellency. Gov. Robie. (Applause).
Gov. Robie said 81 thank you very much
for this cordial greeting | am aware it is
not personal in its character, but is largely
due to the fact that am here TODAY to repre-
sent the State of Maine, and am glad to be
here and equally glad to join in these inter-
esting exercises. | bear with me the good
wishes, good will and congratulations of the
people of the State which represent for what
you have done in honor of that great man,
Daniel Webster. l have not the honor of
being son OF New Hampshire, but on re-
Election l find am grandson. (Applause)
My father was born here in 1882, the very
year that gave birth to that great man, Dan
iel Webster, and he was his friend, his polit-
| ical, and his great admirer. [ recollect very
well my earliest view of Daniel Webster,
which was looking at cheap portrait which
my father for over fifty years had hanging in
his library. 1t remains there today, and am
glad to notice here in this beautiful city,
/ II no nf ph,r rphn a
schOolhouses, and in front of your capital
that there stands Daniel Webster. (Applause)
Michael Angelo once made great statue OF
Moses, and when he bad finished it he said il
was so complete and lifelke he walked NJ
and said, "Speak, or Twill break you into
thousand pieces" and that statue has lived
now for centuries and speaks in favor of the
man who made it, and this statue will remair
and will speak in language which perhaps WI
cannot understand because it is silent, but i
still speaks. 1t speaks for this great natioI
for which he was the advocate; it speaks fo
liberty and constitutionality, its representa-
tive of civilization of New England, and j
speaks for that, and may it stand and may i
forever speak to the people of New Hamp
shire, and to the men of Maine, and to tn,
people of this great nation. and to the peopl,
of the civilized world of the principles he ad
vocated and for which he was the great expo
nent.
Gov. Pingree of Vermont followed with
brief address, and was in turn succeeded By
| Hon. John A. Bingham of Ohio.
Dispatches of congratulatorv nature ant
of sympathy with the objects of the gather
| ing were received from the Bunker Hill
Monument Association, also from. s. J
Tilden and others.
| At the close of the exercises at the statue
the Alumni dinner was held, Judge Wall
bridge A. Field of Boston, presiding. Hon
| Mellen Chamberlain was introduced as orator
of the occasion. Hon. Geo. A. Marden Of
| Lowell, acted as toastmaster. and among
those responding to sentiments we're Presi.
dent Bartlett of the College, Gov. B. F.
Prescott of Epping, Hon E c. Carrigan, Ex.
Senator J. w. Patterson of Hanover, Col. J.
Fl. George and Gen. Philip Carpenter OF New
York. The gathering was the largest evel
held by the Alumni.
Hon. E. C. Carrigan of Boston, offered res.
slutions of the association to the executive
committee of the Concord alumni for theil
invaluable service in prompting the great
success of the reunion, which was unani.
mouslv adopted. The company adjourned
about o'clock, after session Of nearly three
/ hours.
The occasion was q thoroughly enjoyable
one, all Of the responses to the toasts being
of high order. Fnlly 600 past graduates
| we're present.