Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-23

The literary exercises occurred at 10
O'Clock under the big tent, Rev Edgar l.
Warren welcomed the vast assembly, aud
then Congressman Nelson Dingley. Jr., de
liyered the oraton of the day.
Follow ing is an abstract;
Mr. President, and Sons and Daughters of
Durham
The beautiful song, (llome. Sweet iiome)
which has just been sung with so much feel
ing, strikes the keynote of this occasion with
great fidelity
The thought which is uppermost with every
one here today is that of home Those who
sull -, Al o in the town whose centennial we
celebrate. bear witne TO their home love by
the fact that the homestead roof still shelters
them. Those who have returned from
adopted homes to revisit the scenes of their
chiliLooi tiud recoilections of the old home
crowding upon them as they look once more
on the peaceful river. the green intervsle,
wooded hill. and the old land marks.
Ii is only the hundredth anniversary of the
Incorporation of what xe fondly call the
dear old town of Durham. that we are here
today to celebrate. To those of us who have
always known the town, and whose earliest
impre ssions give it the halo of age and the
magnitude with which youth always invests
its surroundings, a town of century's
growth Sc. ms venerable with years and ex-
perience.
A century ks the life of the United
States since the adoption of the constitution
Durham 10 Just as old town rs the country
is as nation unier a framework Of govern
ment which maie us nation in reality. The
same sturdy men sho organized tie town in
1853 the 19Ch Incorporated town in the
then district of Maine. participated in the
selection of delegates to aid in ratfying the
constitution. aud east their votes for George
Mashtnxtuu As the first President and John
Adams as the hrst vice president of the
United States IL is known that the town
meetings in l77s AMI l719 were held in the
meeting house built aud roughly finished in
the former year.
| do not know on what spot within the
limits of this then plantation of Royalsbor-
ough the first town meeting was held. If
Ia wuu.d like to sttnd on the cousecrsted
utnnnd 41i pctu~e II my mind the little band
of .,ur,'y early . ri, - leaving their cabins
in the clestiug t. ,a' over and decide ques-
,ioas of public i..0l It.
1t is peculiarly the lot OF rural New Eng
land towns, especially those like Durham.
which have been turncd aside from the
routes Of travel by railroads. TO constantly
contribute some of their best soas and
daughters without retura. To tuili uD the in
,luatrial snl commerciai centres Of our pwa
and other States. Thu. bss come to pass
inat the sons and dau ers Of Durham who
s'load sing praises 10 5be Old iowa outahui-
ber those VINO sing it, ? @i.es At home
Ii fI~ere to meution that IN which tina
the State and nation are undVr special ob i-
gallons tn New England raral towns Ike
Durham. aside from their contributions of
men and women to lay the foundations of
a-w communities. il would be the steaitast
ness With which these towns stand for Law
and order, liberty regulated by law, ohedi-
ence to tAe will of the majority and univer
al education The rural towns must ever
be the balance wheel in our 8, stem of popu-
lar government: the reeulstor that can be
i..ps nt.ed upoa When igaorint Ard dsngerous
elements in the crowded cities b, come
threatening.
IL has always been the ypeculisr and grand
ehsracteris,ic of the true Nv E1glslder
that he has regarded spiritual instruction es-
ssntial TO the well being OF Community Ia
this respect the early settlers of Durham tn
herited the Pilgrim iies
The frs, settlers of Durham and six OF
his sturdy associates left their caoins m the
wilderness to 4 Eht for indepenl"nce rave
often heard my grandfather tell OF the alac-
r,,y With which he and many others ~ The
early settlers responded 70 the call on them
Il, ,efend the coast ot Name when brisish
armsmant appeared of oar sceffs - the war
of 1872. Ard in the LAT vsr for the pres
on of the unica i6l To- a Sous OF Dur
ham enlisted in the Ual0a Stny.
The worker passes sway, bht 0ew hands
ard hearts take up the task and the work of
life goes on
S,.rdins On this familiar sesos commemor-
.,;ny the hunaredsh saaivsrssr a. tos1 of
onr birthplace. let u pledge our love Anew
to the land which we are proud TO call our
country. and the town which il so dear be-
e.use i, was our birthplace AMI early home
DR. ID. b. Strout followed WITH history OF
Durham which was Incorporated as Royals
boroush after Col. Royal OF hedford MASS
The town has sent out 3s ministers, three OF
~hom were missionaries, four lawyers, one
governor, and large numbers of suecesssai
business men, The first minister IN f.9S
vas psii S266 and house rent. Previous 10
1899 Durham did more business than Lew'-
top and Auburn but the railroad drew bust
ness away.
TX Harmon, ESQ of Portland, gave a
history of Col Isaac Royal. once q large
proprie,or of lands in pa-hsm. Fae to"n
,,ok the name pe-hasa from the county
| of Durham in ~. where Royal vas
born
| Mrs. Elizabeth Darsin read Lengthy
poem recountirs incidents in the history oi
| the town.
| Hon. VIM. ID. Ro.k spokesfor the farm.
ers, the most important interests of ths
town.
| L. C. Robinson of Lisbon, spoke for the
mechanics The town. he said. is reere
sensed in every mechanical establishment il
Maine.
Rev. George E. Plummer sketched thu
lciersvmen- The arsf minister born in Dur