The Portland daily press., 1889-02-22

, renounces them TO escape the sentence OF
flames. Its latest fact, its last word. Is re-
peated around the world In magazines and
newspapers, In conversation and rumor, and
a new discovery OF invention Is applied at
once In thousand ways TO serve the uses
and promote the interests Of mankind
Notwithstanding the oxeesses and abuses
which still exist; although there are com
binations Of capital IN our times which tread
| far upon the verge OF criminal conspiracies,
| endangering the peace Of society, dividing Il
1 into hostile camps as embittered as any thet
| ever faced each other upon the battlefield,
| still 1t remains true that wealth has learned
some OF its own opportunities, some Of tne
| duties IL owes TO society and the world.
| What instances in our days OF wise and
lavish generosity In the use Of wealth; vast
sums applied in manifold ways 10 the high
/ ends and the best uses OF an enlightened
philanthropy; in founding colleges. churches.
| libraries, benevolent societies; In throwing
| open public parks 10 the common use and
| enjoyment Of all; In establishing hospitals,
where modern medicine. science. no longer
| a superstition, stands ready to exhaust her
subtlest skill to relieve the poorest sufferer.
To our own city within few years a magni-
| fieent park has been given, with Its stately
oaks, In (which the memories OF early New
England life are lingering still, and where
the very breezes LongfellOw has
laden forever with the reveries OF youth.
And now, within sight OF the statue Of
Longfellow, this exquisite structure, the gift
the design Of a Portland architect, who has
given his service gratultously 10 this work,
as he gave II TO the design for the beautiful
pedestal TO the Longfellow statue, has risen,
spacious and fine, and admirably adapted for
the purposes which 1t Is designed 70 serve,
and has become the perpetual possession OF
the city OF Portland for public library It
Is an event that we do well 70 celebrate. lt
Is new anniversary that the city Ia the tu-
ture will not forget 10 observe. From the
old Portland Institute and Public Library
the new Public Library receives a valuable
collection of books and works Of art, the ae-
cumulations Of more than twenty years, and
the contributions Of many persons, who
have thus aided gradually in founding pub
lie library in Portland. Henceforth the re-
strietions upon the use OF the library are
such only as pertain to the preservation OF
1t. What Is the common possession OF all
must be preserved In the interest OF all To
this extent, and no farther, the restrictions
upon the use Of the library will 90.
Instead Of library Of $1,000 or 10000 vol
umes, the City Of Portland should have a
library Of at least 100000 volumes OF the best
books Of all times. Is it too much to expect
that such library as this, collected as this
has been, provided with q suitable building
by private munihcence, and thrown open TO
the public, will be literally sustained for the
common use and benefit OF all, and VIII In
the future be the recipient Of gifts and be
quests which will gradually extend the
sphere Of its usefulnessY IL the benefac-
tions Of the citizens OF Portland. which are
so many and in so many directions, do not
overlook our interests at home; II the noisier
demands of business and politics do not 81
lence those which are more important and
essential; IL the true interests OF all can be
faithfully regarded; IL would seem to follow
that the future Of the Public Library must
be assured.
Judge Symonds said that although the
Maine Historical Society would hold ex-
ercises Of its own at later date, the PresI-
dent, Hon. James w. Bradbury, had consent
ed to be present and speak In behalf Of that
society. Mr.. Bradbury's remarks were
warmly received and are here given:
PRESIDENT BRADBURY's REMARKS.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:-It
becomes my privilege as the organ Of the
Maine Historical Society on this occasion,
to make also our grateful acknowledgements
TO Mr.. Baxter for the generous provision he
has made for our accommodation.
We appreciate the noble public spirit that
prompted the erection and dedication 70 pub
lie uses, of this beautiful and costly edince;
and he has our hearty thanks for remember
ing our society In his benefactions.
Such acts of munihcence need no words OF
eulngy. They speak for them selves; and
will continue to speak to grateful hearts OF
coming generations who will frequent their
halls. Beneficence rears monuments more
enduring than marble.
Judge Symonds said that the next thing on
the programme was history Of the library
by Mr.. Edward A. Noyes. Owing. however,
to the lateness Of the hour Mr.. Noyes de-
clined to read his history which is here given
in full:
HISTORY OF THE PORTLAND INSTITUTE AND
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
On March 10th, 1857, meeting Of citizens
was held with view 10 establish a public
library in Portland, which utterly fail IN
awakening any public interest But In the
fall Of the year 1866, thanks to the indeiatig-
able zeal oil Mr. j. j. w. Reeves, numerous
meetings wera held in the old City Hall,
which resulted in the appointment Of a
committee consisting OF Revs. j. Y. Stock
bridge, VIM. III. Fem aud Il. c. Bolles and
Messrs. John Rand. l.. ID. M. Sweat and
John Neal. who prepared circular pro-
a union Of the Atheneum, the Mercantile
Library Association, the Mechanics Library,
the Young Mems Christian Association and
all other library interests.
This circular was dated October 23d, 1866.
The movement was not favorably received
by the organized library associations, and an
application was made TO the legislature for
an act Of Incorporation for the Portland In
stitute and Public Library, and Ether Shep-
Jr, John Neal, John @. Stockbridge. ,Iohn
Rand. William Wills, John B. Brown. Wii
llan z. Eenn, J.. d. ~. Sweat, Henrv =
peane, Samuel z. Spring and F11tr
bolles, were named as corporators in az -,
approved January I'D, 1867, = -
On the l4th day OF February, 1867. n call
CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAoE.l