The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-11
The Truth Of History indicated,

To the Editor of the Press:
1t Is the duty of the living, to do Justice to
the memory Of the dead The reputation of
those dear TO us is not confined to the brief
period OF human life. 1t lives after they are
gone-and like sacred trust, is committed
to the keeping of surviving friends.
To guard it against unfeeling criticisms and
cold neglect is one of the first instincts of our
better natures.
These thoughts have been suggested by the
perusal of an article in the PPEss under
date OF Oct. 21St under the head of
Maine General Hospital"
The article contains much that is interest
ing to the general reader, especially that
part which relates to the rise and growing
prosperity of the Institution. The larger
portion of 1t Is unobjectionable. 1t is not so
much what 1t does say as what il does not
say that Is open to criticism.
To certain extent its historical details
are misleading, and not warranted by the
facts in the case. In its reference to the
original" friends of the Hospital, to the
men who planned and pushed forward this
grand enterprise in its infancy, the whole
truth" does not appear.
The motives of the writer will not dis
cuss, but on the other hand take it for
granted that the omissions of which L COM
plaiu, were the result of carelessness or
want of knowledge rather than design.
The name of one of its best, most influen-
tial, active friends and patrons, during its
entire early history is omitted. | mean the
late Samuel ID. Tewksbury M. ID. of this
city.
As matter of history it is true. that among
the ablest, and most exhaustive papers In
favor Of establishing a General Hospital
IN Maine, are the reports made to
the Maine Medical Association by DIR.
Iewksbury when President of that body;
ana IT cannot be successfully denied that
tnese papers had as great an influence In
ealing public attention to this important
matter as anything that was said or written
az a. mat early day. 1t is equally true that DIR.
t urss SOU spent much time before Legisla-
S Srnn, favorable charter and substantial aid
ii91l lne state to start the institution.
earnne,i Juan TINS no other man labored smore
wans;n ana enectually in all practical
NAYS IN me erection and furnishing the Hos.
public. wyoming ITO uoorS u tne
In recognition Of these eminent services
sor In Ime opening Of the Hospital he was
III many years unanimously Conceded tn tha
responsible position as first upon the stofs 20
VISITING surgeons, a place he filed with die
tinguished professional skill. ahiiitv e oS
success. The apparent attempt in the ah "ue
named article to overshadow the name o9
Samuel I'll. Tewksbury. with that of anotbor
distinguished friend of the Hospital. as its
principal advocate and originator +" Is falsi'
flying the truths of history and doing great
Injustice to one OF its .firmest and most dis
tingulshed "friends and advocates
JOHN j. PERRY.
1.-THE history OF the Maine General Hos.
pital which Gen. Perry refers to was little
more than a sketch made up almost entirely
from the reports of the trustees and officers
of the institution. Many men who were
prominent in establishing the hospital were
omitted, but with no intention of de-
tracing from the credit due them. DR..
Iewksbnry was undoubtedly one of its fore |
most advocates, and labored hard for its es-
adjustment Whether more honor is due
him than anybody else would be a profitIess
question to discuss. Honor in large measure
Is due him for the part he took in founding
the institution, and certainly the Press has
~ ~ disposition to detract from It in the
slightest degree " '"'