The Somerset reporter., 1890-02-13
Tho State OF M aine.
GOV, BCMEiGn's TIMELY REsroN>E Al
The G.. A. K BANQrkT

wv Dt hLti''h ilhtLh hE>ioN>h =
The G. A. X BANQrkT
We give our readers the following hap
py Introduction of Gov. Burleigh by the
Toastmaster at the &. A. X. Camp Fire al
Augusta last week, with the Governors
eloquent and timely response
POSTMASTER Michaelis Comrades,
want to tell you that We came very near
having our Governor a. one of US. AT
the time of the war two boys enlisted and
came down here from Aroostook county.
one of them got into the army but his
brother was rejected by the medical
director and sent home. served with
our Governor during the last muster and
occupied the same tent with him a. his
guest. He took an interest Ia everything
and looked after everything and II ever
again we have war | want to be Maine
volunteer under the care of the Governor.
have only one fault to tnd with him,
and that being. he was a little too sn1ions
10 accompany grand rounds. | take es-
pecial pleasure in Introducing to YOU cur
Governor, Hon. Edwin c. Burleigh.
The Governors Greeting
Hon f. c. Blreigh.
III the soyertig "a Of the State love f-ieSolence
he ~i-l have TO enem. in the empire. u-nci'a
.Hr. Iydstu.gs'sr, Laii., mi G,i.tlemeH :!
In the presence of - many and &C
compiishea public speakers it would i'll
become me this evening to trespass long
upon your time and patience. am very
glad 10 be with you upon This occasion
which has called together 80 many Of
Names leading citizens To one and all,
in behslf of the State, extend cordial
greeting.
IL Is sincere pleasure 10 me to vel
come 10 the State Of Maine Gen. Rus.
sell A. Alger, the Commandment Of
the Grand Army Of TIE Republic. lie
needs no Introduction 10 the citizens OF
this State. They became acquainted with
him many years ago " heu the fate of the
Republic itself was trembling In the bal
ance. They have never forgotten the
gallant soldier who. with ninetr-twO men.
made the desperate h,nk attack upon the
Confederate forces 81 Bonneville, which
turned Sheridau'- hrs, great battle from
seemingly inevitable disaster into gloriods
victory 1t WAS ride As desperate and
daring as that Of the Balaklsvs six hun
dred. The eye, Of the whole North were
a
brave leader Of it, and they never failed
to note VILE pride and satisfaction the
brilliant successes achieved by him in the
stirring scenes ina. followed His honors
were well won and the rank of Msior
n.ral which he bore at the close OF the
war was the just recognition by CRATE
full governmt Mt OF the conspicuous SER
vices he had rendered 1t.
ha icb ba In, ~
feld have been duplicated by him 10 civil
life. The people of Michigan have shown
the confidence and esteem in which they
hold him by calling him to the highest
office in thsi gift whose duties he per-
for d with signal ability and success.
1t was a wise choice of the Grand Army
OF the Republic which placed him at the
head of its organization. We are hon
ored with his presence here to night and
feel sure that all the people OF Maine will
join cordially with me in bidding him q
hearty welcome.
have been assigned for this evening
the duty of speaking for the State of
Maine-an arduous one were it not for
the fact that the subject to large extent
speaks for Itself.
The very occasion which brings Us to-
gether here is in itself proof that Maine
was not found wanting in the hour Of the
Nations need. Her record during those
days when the fate Of the Union hung
upon the success of our armies In the
Held, wss one of which any State might
well feel proud. She gave freely and
Loyalty Of her blood and treasure, her citi
Iens believing that only In the integrity
Of the National Union would be found
the assurance of continuance of those
broad principles upon which the courage
and devotion of our forefAthers esta6-
lished the Republic. The record OF her
sons in the field is one to which Maine
viii always point with iiov srs ..s,.,as.:.se--.
and pride. II Is one which will ever
serve to inspire her sons with patriotic
devotion. The men who fought her
battles will pass away, but the memory OF
their valor will never die.
1t will always be source Of sincere
pleasure and pride to every citizen Of
Maine that each regiment that went forth
from the State to participate In the war
Of the Rebellion Is represented In the
rotunda of the State House by the nag 1t
bore at the front, and there they will re-
main monument to the courage and 10y
atty of the brave men who marched be-
meath them and an incentive to love Of
country for all succeeding generations
Not only were the Sons Of Maine good
soldiers but they were equally good citi-
zens. When the contests of war we're
ended, and the integrity Of the Union
established, they cheerfully resumed the
pursuits of peace which they had lain
aside for the sword. They gave them
selves with energy and devotion to the
great task Of lifting the State from the
demoralzing instability into which the
inflated conditions incident to great
war had placed 1t, and establishing 1t
once more upon the rm basis Of stable
values and correct business principles.
1t was gigantic work. The era Of de-
preston and gloom that followed the
reaction from the speculative and Insecure
business methods, born Of war, was well
calculated to try mems souls. But the
sons Of Maine faced It's duties and re-
sponsibilities with the same courage and
energy they had shown upon the battle
field. The industries of the State were
slowly but surely re-establshed upon the
rock basis of sound business principles.
Since then our progress has been sub
stantial ard steady. If not always as
rapid as we could have wished, it has at
least been sure. 1t has been marked not
only by 4 gratifying growth in the ma
terial prosperity of the State-in the dis
covery and development of the resources
with which nature has so generously en-
dowed it, but also by an even more graft
Tying growth Of home pride and enter
prise among our citizens. In the devel-
opment Of this spirit we may confidently
look for the future prosperity and growth
of our State.
We have many reasons to feel proud Of
Maine. Her credit Is not excelled by any
State In the Union. Only a little more
than fourth of her total war debt in
GLIDING the war debts of her cities and
towns which were assumed by the State,
now remains to be paid. Our present eff
cient State Treasurer, who was also the
arst Commander of the Grand Army Of
Maine, Gen. Geo. L. Beal, has been able
to negotiate the sale Of the new State
bonds, which were issued to take the
place of the maturing six per cent. bonds,
upon three per cent basis, q piece of
inancierlng not excelled In its kind, In
the century. We are proud Of the goner-
al diffusion of education throughout the
State, Of the strong position our repre-
sentatives have always been able to take
In the councils Of the nation, and of the
thrift and sobriety that everywhere pre-
vail among our people.
However much our material prosperity
may increase-aud l trust 1t may be many
fOld-Matna,a Uraataat WaaIfh has hpp n