The Portland daily press., 1889-02-22

is most potential agency. Under its ben
efcent provision the facilities OF learning
are extended to all those otherwise unable
to procure periodicals and books. Thereby
is banished the last excuse Of pleading ig-
norance. Again. the free library. from its
complete harmony with the spirit Of repub-
lican institutions, encounters no hostility OF
the people, but rather commands strong
hold upon popular affection and support.
For nowhere else is to be found so veritable
home OF true democracy. Churches, even,
from social caste or bigotry may prove un-
welcome or repelling. Free schools are es-
tablished only for definite terms of life.
Public halls will not always tolerate race or
dress. Money Is too often the sesame
which throws back the portals Of many in
stituti0ns vaunting themselves upon their
non-exclusiveness But, here. all are well
come, without money and without price.
There are no limitations of age, color,
social standing or religious opinion. All are
privileged alike without sacrifice OF self res
pect or dread Of intrusion, to share the fell
lowship Of the dwellers within these walls,
and drink at their hands refreshing dranghts
from the fountains of knowledge. Or, as
Holmes happily expresses 1t.
Behind this ever open gate
No pixies shall fence crumblIng throne.
No laekeys eringe, no eourtiers walt,
This palace Is the peoples own.
He, then, is richly esteemed a patriot and
public benefactor who places such privileges
within the command OF his fellow country
men, and with clear appreciation Of this
truth, accept from the donor the keys Of
this enn0bling structure with feelings of
profoundest gratitude, which shall ever more
and more find an applauding re-
sponse in the hearts Of our people," 1t
will constitute their future privilege and de-
light to supplement his work with such lib
eral maintenance of this institution as shall
be commensurate both with its field Of use
fulness and our reputation as a city.
- -. it,. wew.kn T. -.
of our benefactorr" in our acknowledgment
there can be naught but summer. In James
Phinney Baxter the people Of Portland have
ever recognized an eminently cultured and
high-minded citizen. deserving Of and re-
eeiving universal respect. To this enviable
added those tributes Of endearment
and regard, which, springing like parental
love, Simultaneous with occasion, ever do
homage TO the name Of philantropist and
patriot With grateful praise for his gift
and example, but feebly voice the ssnti-
ment of our entire community when, in con-
clusion, extend to him our heartiest wish
that length Of days, prosperity. and unal-
lowed happiness be his. while richest bless
ings ever follow as the results Of his bene-
licences.
The address of Judge Symonds which fol-
lowed that of Mayor Chapman was forcible
and pleasing one. What he said follows
JUDGE sYMoNDs's REMARKS.
There is something in the opening Of this
beautiful building to the people OF Portland
for public library; In the presence OF our
distinguished townsman from whom we have
received this generous and ample gilt, to
whose welcome words we have had the pleas
ure of listening this evening In this formal
recognition of the fact that the library build
ing has now been devoted irreyocably to the
broad and beneficent purposes OF public In
struction and culture, which gives peculiar
interest, rare interest, to this occasion. 1t
Is bright, initial letter az the opening oil a
The founding of a library, or other In
stitution of benevolence or learning, Is the
grant of an annuity, Of perpetuity, of good
will and beneficence to society. Ii Is new
light on the way; new impulse to intelli-
gence and virtue; new force among the in
fences which strengthen and support the
social order. The corporate form makes Inn
mortal the spirit and purpose which other
wise might have died with the individual.
No personal influence, hardly even the legacy
q 81 a shining example, can live SO long In
noble thought, clothes itself with an earthly
immortality. Neither knight nor crusader,
neither hero nor saint, neither missionary
nor pilgrim, ever started on so long an err
rand Of good to men, as the library, or col
lege, or hospital, permanently endowed, its
living members but the links In the golden
chain Of perpetual succession. such an
institution Is to the passing generations OF
men as the cliff upon the seashore 70 tne
waves which break upon 1t. i am reminded
of the saying of Leigh Hunt wnen Sneiley
the organ in the cathedrel at Pisa. what
divine religion might yet be established on
the earth, II only charity were made the
principle of IL, instead Of faith" And with
enthusiasm Shelley replied. What divinity
in religion If only charity were its vital prin-
ciple."
What better illustration.of: the religion of
charity than the opening Of public library?
What loftier motive, what more beneficent
result? And yet this saying of the poets, a
fragment Of conversation, II 1t be wholly
true, Is not the whole truth. The full orb OF
truth does not shine from it. 1t lis rather the
bright glimpse, the clear ray, OF truth only
half revealed. For 1t may be the spiritual
faith, which itself blossoms into the beauty
OF charity; the great religious hope, which
underlies and sustains, or inspires, the labor
OF love, the life Of benehcence. More In har-
mony with our thought would 1t be, to say,
What a divine religion has been estao-
lished upon the earth, with charity for Its es-
sential principle, far more than the world
has ever been willing to understand" And
yet the lesson does not pass wholly unheed-
ed. What haryests of benevolence in all
fields our own ago Is reaplng The common
have taken the place Of the rare and costly
treasures ofmanuscript and scroll and Of the
learned slave who read them to his master.
The silence CT mccastic solitude. the -plen-
dcr Of the court Of some line OF merchant
princes, Port Royal CT Florence, are no long
er the only centres OF learning and thought.
What Is best In all llteratures Is now the
common possession Of all. Science no long
er reveals its secrets with trembling lips, or