The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-01
LONGFELLOW.
The Unwilling of Portland's Beautiful
Memorial OF the Poet.
Admirable Addresses BY President
Libby and Mayor Chapman.
Appropriate Poems by Mrs. cavazza
and Mr.. G. e. g. jackson.

Saturday witnessed memorable event in
Portland. 1t was the occasion Of the unyeil-
ing OF the first statue erected in the streets of
Portland, and its presentation to the city.
The event was also memorable from the fact
that the statue was that of the poet Long
fellow, the most popular poet America ha.
yet produced, who was native of this city,
where members of his family still reside.
February 27, 1882. the Maine Historical So.
ciety celebrated the 10th birthday of the po-
ct by literary exercises held in City Hall.
On March oath of the same year the poet
died. On the Goth of May following meet
ing was held in the Aldermen's room to de-
wise ways and means to erect a statue to
Lonfellow Hon. Israel Washburn, Jr., was
chairman and Rev. DR.. Burrage secretary of
the meeting at which bon. George F. Talbot,
Hon. Israel Washburn, Jr., James P. Baxter
and Rev. DR.. Burrage were appointed COM
mittee to take charge of the matter and re-
port. July s. 1882, officers were elected, the
Longfellow Statue Association having been
organized on June 10th and 18th, and con-
stitution adopted. These were the officers.
President Charles +. Libby.
Secretary-Thomas fash,
Treasurer-Philip ii. Brown
- vice Presidents-James w. Bradbury, Samuel
Il. Blake, Joshua L. Chamberlain, George ID. B.
Pepper, 0ren B. Cheney, Charles F. Allen, John
appleton, A. =. Rice, Henry A. Nicely, VIM. G.
Executive Committee George F. Talbot Israel
ardson, VIM. K. Gould.
Ways and Means-James P. Baxter, Lewis
w. Thomas, Jr., Maria Hersey. Hannah Il. Tai.
pot. Mary McCobb, Mrs. R. j. Carpenter, Mrs.
9, PlansmJoseph w. Symonds, Harry B. Brown,
Sidney W. Thaxter, Fancis H. Fassett, Edward
H. Elwell.
The only changes that have been made in
this list was the appointment of Gen. j. NJ
Brown, j. E. Dewitt and C. ID. Brown to
fill vacancies on the executive committee
To secure the necessary money with which
TO purchase the statue all sorts of devices
were adopted, as is customary in matters of
the kind. There were subscription papers,
the school children had chlldren's cards de
yised for them, concerts and other enter
talnments were given. On February 27,
1856. acontract was made with Mr.. Franklin
Simmons, the celebrated Maine sculptor.
resident In Rome. for sitting statue of
Longfellow, of the proportions. if standing,
statuary broze, to be delivered in Portland,
for the sum Of $4,000. The last cent of $4,000
was subscribed last week, and the statue,
which had arrived in New York few days
previous, was brought to this city and placed
upon beautiful pedestal, the granite of
which, OF the value of $500, was given by
Payson Tucker, Esq, in behalf of the Maine
and New Hampshire Granite Co., and was
cut and finished by Hawkes. Bros, after Mr..
f. III. Fassett's beautiful design, Mr.. Fassett
receipting the bill of $145. as a present to
the Association.
Saturday afternoon the statue was un-
yelled in the presence of an immense throng
of people, in State street square, A stand
was erected close by, occupied by the
speakers and Collins First Regiment Band.
Settles stood In the square in front of
the statue for the invited guests. Among
these were Mrs. Greenleaf, of Cambridge,
and Mrs. Pearce, of Portland, sisters of the
poet, Mrs. Dana, daughter of the poet and
her son Henry, and Alexander Longfellow,
the poets brother, President Bradbury of
the Maine Historical Society and members
of the Lonfellow Statue Association. 1t was
cold, raw, gusty afternoon and the people
remained in their seats but little while
choosing to stand or walk about. The
school children, one hundred in number,
stood on the sidewalk by DR.. Dana's and
sang under the direction of Mrs Merrill,
teacher OF music in the public schools. Close
at hand was Mr.. Simmons, the sculptor, in
barouche.
For half hour previous to o'clock, the
band played several selections in excellent
style. Precisely at the hour Messrs. I'll. B.
Brown and E. II. Elwell withdrew the flag
that draped the statue. amidst great APP
plause. Mr.. Simmons is to be congratulated
upon his work. The figure faces down Con-
gress street, looking toward the home of his
childhood. 1t is of heroic size and about
seven feet in height. The poet is sitting in
an arm chair, the original design of Mr..
Simmons. The ends of the arms of the chair
represent tigers heads. The dress coat. is
closely buttoned, and a mantle is carelessly
flung over one shoulder. The right arm
rests carelessly but naturally ON the arm of
the chair, while the left hand holds roll of
manuscript Under the chair is pile of
Yolumns the poet has evidently laid aside.
The modelling is admirable, even the shoe
strings have received great care.
Mr.. Clarence w. Peabody, of the Portland
High School, then read the following prelude
by Mr.. Geo. E. b. jackson:
MR.. JAcKsoN's PRELUDE.
This sculutured form.
IT'S but the semblance,
And still, tits hel
Amid the busy throng,
Calmly he sits;
OF all that pass along,
Needless is hel
His gaze is fixed toward home,
He loved 1t well,
And yet he seeth naught
His ears attent
To catch the rustling leaves
OF behring's woods,
But still be heareth mott
Well hath the sculptor wrought.
Making the seeming-real,
The fction-fact,
And, in enduring bronze,
HIS very form hath caught
We living, thee salute,
sweetest of bards
Iny voice hath ceased to be-