The Portland daily press., 1890-02-05

of distinguished guests were present, among
whom were Gen. Alger, commander-in-chief
of the Grand Army, Gov. Burleigh, ex-Gov.
Selden Connor, Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Gen.
Luther Stephenson, governor of the Soldier
Home, Gen. G. L. Beal, Department Com
mander Anderson and others. Mayor s. W.
Lane responded to the toast: "The Mayors
Greeting"
Gov. Burleigh's Speech.
Gov. Burleigh responded to the toast 'The
State, and after welcoming Gen. Alger in
appropriate language said:
The record of her sons in the field is one
to which Maine will always point with low
ing tenderness and pride. 1t is one which
will ever serve to inspire her sons with pa
tri0tic 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 pleas
ure 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 flag it bore at the front, and
there they will remain monument to the
courage and loyalty of tRe brave men who
marched beneath them and an incentive to
love of country for all succeeding genera
tiOns.
Not only were the Sons of Maine good
soldiers, but they were equally good citizens.
When the contests of war were ended, and
the integrity of the Union established, they
cheerfully resumed the pursuits of peace
which they had lain aside fol. the sword.
Of lifting the State from the de-
moralizing instability into which the inflated
conditions incident to great war had placed
It. and establishing it once more upon the
firm basis of stable values and correct busi-
ness principles. 1t was a gigantic work.
The era of depression and gloom that fol-
lowed the reaction from the speculative and
insecure business methods, born of war, was
we'll calculated to try mems souls. But the
bilities with the same courage and energy
they had shown upon the battlefield. The
industries of the state were slowly but sure
ly re-established upon the rock basis of
sound business principles Since then our
progress has been substantial and steady. If
not always as rapid as we could have wished
it has at least been sure. 1t has been marked
not only by gratifying growth in the mate
rial prosperity of the state-in the discovery
and development of the resources with
which nature has so generously endowed it.
but also by an even more gratifying growth
of home pride and enterprise among our cit
liens. In the development of this spirit we
may confidently look for the future prosper
ity 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 including the
war debts of her cities and towns, which
were assumed by the state, now remains to
urer, who was also the first commander of
the Grand Army of Maine-Gen. George L.
Beal-has been able to negotiate the sale of
the new state bonds, which were issued to
&rlw AIr univ
bonds, upon three per cent basis, a piece of
financiering not excelled of its kind in the
century. We are proud of the general diffu-
sion of education throughout the state, of
the strong position our representatives have
always been able to take in the councils of
the nation and Eof the thrift and sebriety
that every where prevail among our people.
However much our material prosperity
may increase-and trust itmay be many fold
-Maine's greatest wealth hasbeen, and al
ways will be found in the sterling character
of her citizens, and in the eleyating Chris
tian influences which go forth from her stur-
dy homes.
The speech in behalf of the citizens was by
Hon. o. D. Baker. The next speaker was
Gen. Alger. who spoke as follows:
Gen. AIger's Speech.
We have been been asked k frequently, What i is
objects and what its aim? We are
frequently confronted with the statement
that we are trying to wreck the treasury OF
the country; that our demands are unreaSOn-
able and that if we could have our way, the
nation would soon be bankrupt. Great
God, put for the men who are here before us
tonight and their companions, where would
have been your country? [Cheers. You
may open the portals of the great building
in Washington and commit it to the care of
1t as they would guard their lives. We are
not treasury wreckers, but, Mr.. Toastmaster,
we demand that what is fairly due to the
soldiers shall be placed in one scale OF the
balance and that enough Of the promises
that have been made by candidates OF all
ance. [Great cheering.] We remember, COM
| rades, almost 27 years ago when the great
North said, as single line of blue was
stretched before the enemy in front of our
Capital; For Gods sake, and in the name
of our flag and our country, save our Capital
and we will care for you." We fulfilled our
part OF that great work. We did it for SIC
month. We ask for no more, but we. de
mand tonight in the name of 100000 soldiers,
| that the men all over this country who are
| in want, the men who are not able to are
| for themselves, shall be cared for, not a;
paupers, but as wards of the nation which
they preserved and :made what it is today
| lCheers.
Mr.. ManIey's Letter.
Mr.. Joseph Ii. Manley who was down tt
respond to the toast, "rhe President of the
| United States" was not able to be present
but sent letter in which he said
The Presidency of the United States il
the highest official position that can be Civ
emperor, the title is conferred by a free peo
pie, exercising the greatest right OF man
hood. All have the privilege, under ou
form Of government, of gratifying thel
own judgment in selecting a President, Du
once the preference made in the way ant
manner provided by law, and the people
choice made known, we are all united IN IN!
brotherhood of American citizenship, and
is the duty of all good citizens to render ODE
dience to this decree and pay proper respec
istrate of the people. Political contests ar
necessary and not altogether fraugh
with evil. The great danger that threaten
our form OF government is not too much &C
tivity in politics, but too little. Tha
snsSSs susS said hidpnEdflan that diot iGa'r was Kos
word of Greek extraction, and mean
with the Greeks man who cared nothin
for the public interest. Some years ago
delegation Of Spanish students presented a
novelist and poet. They said they honore
and revered him, but did not come to him a
politician. He exclaimed, "As political
wish to be known more than anything else
for every honest man ought to be polit
cian."
Citizenship carries with It grave respons
bilties. Every man, guided by his cor
science. should faithfully discharge his obi
cations. IL is his duty to attend the print
ry meetings, it is his duty to cast his vot
When all citizens participate. then we sha
have fair elections. Undue influence an
dishonorable methods will be unknown, an
ali will honor the President Of the Unite
States, as the representative of the freest.tl
grandest and the best government In Il
world, made 80 by the wisdom OF the fathe