The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-10-29

lowing day. Inc result OF the Young was
1915 adverse votes, 4,181 affirmative.
On the 18th Of March the Mayor issued his
proclamation condemning and taking the
land.
For the remainder of the year the commit
tee had frequent meetings. The ques lon q
design involving so many details was most
difficult one to solve Now that the end
seemed near differences arose and the pref
erences which many had held from the first
that memorial hall should be erected in
stead of a monument had some earnest sup
porters. At the annual meeting, January
9th, 1885, these opinions were faithfully pre-
sented, but no final action taken. The treas
urer reported ST., 900 in hand. At meeting
of the committee January 14th, 1t was voted
that 1t was inexpedient to remodel old City
Hall, and special meeting Of the assocla-
ton was ordered to definitely settle the
question; that was held after due notice on
the 21st of January, and by nearly unani-
nous vote 1t was decided that monument
and not hall should be erected In Market
Square. On the 14th of June the committee
difficulties under which they had lahored and
concluding by recommending as one to
be entrusted with the entire work, Mr..
Franklin Simmons, sculptor Oh national
reputation, citizen OF Maine" Accompa-
nying was letter of Mr.. Simmons's, ex-
pressing his views as to the character and
cost of the proposed work, differing In no
material sense from the work as we see 1t
now. This report was accepted, ana 1t was
voted TO make contract with certain limit
atiops. On the 30th of October the founda-
| tion of the monument was completed, and
| few days later a circular was Issued TO the
| people, explaining what had been done, an
nouncing the intended fair by the Relief
| for subscriptions to make up the $4,000
| necessary to defray the expenses now In
Cured.
At the annual meeting January IA, 1889,
| $7,6l409. leaving balance Of $40. 426 80.
1t was voted to lay the cornerstone on
| Memorial Day.
In March occurred the great fair under the
| auspices Of Bosworth Relief Corps, the net
| proceeds of which, the magnificent sum Of
treasury of the association. On the 30th of
May, Memorial Day, the cornerstone was
laid with appropriate aud impressive cere-
| monies.
| At the annual meeting January IS, 1890,
| the treasurer reported receipts, including
| last balance, of $24,605.76, and a balance. in
hand of SIT. 094 Sc. Report was made Of the
| numerous deliberations of the committee;
| it was announced that the model of the
| principal figure was finished and 1t was pro-
crossing as rapidly as could be expected.
| During the year ensuing there was little to
be done beyond the supervision of work I'M
| der contract. The question Of ms riding on
the pedestal the names of the dead had been
IN their report to the annual meeting, Janua-
| ry II, 1891, the committee recommended in
place of list, which would be necessarily
imperfect and therefore unjust. simple his
1t was determined that the lists, which had
been prepared, should be deposited in the
| rooms of the Maine Historical Society, which
will also be the depository of the records of
the association when it ceases to exist.
The treasurer's report showed balance In
| ach or lfc enuivalpnt Of G14 24f k9
The labors of the committee since that
date have been In preparing contracts for
the accessories of the moment, and in i'm
proving the work. The bronzes arrived In
Of Juneaud the 18th were received in this
city and were placed on the pedestal on the
10Th and .201h.
This is all there is no further record; the
committee has made its final report and Is
discharged. The association has finished Its
labors. and it only remains to adjourn with
out day.
But If our trust expires tonight, for Your
Honor, the chief magistrate, and for your
associates. the honorable council Of the city,
| a new trust begins. What we, the servants of
a corporation numbering four thousand OF
of our people, have planned and built, be.
comes the property OF your body, servants
of greater corporation, the city of Port
land "a city loved by all who live in 1t and
loved by all who In the wanderings incident
to our changeful life, have gone away from
home. Many of them, veterans and sons OF
veterans, far away from the smell of the salt
air and the music of the resounding sea,
have been with us In spirit all these years.
and knowing what has been done and is be-
ing done now are with us heart and soul to
night, filled with rejoicing and that feeling
of home loving. which is the true source OF
country loving, the only safeguard of nation
al virtue and strength.
In one respect the monument is unique, il
has been built by the contributions OF the
people. In other cities and towns such me-
MORALS have been erected, In whole or in
part, by municipal aid. This association,
even in its respondent days, has
never asked such aid. This is a noble fact,
worthy of record; by reason of it this beau.
tiful creation becomes more beautiful and
has loftier purpose; 1t is the peoples gift.
Inc plot on W. which It STANDS, by rare good
we have ever asked was that for time, a
short time, we might use it for this object.
When we made that request we promised to
adorn u, beautify It. make It an object of
pride. and daily delight; we have kept our
promise; nowhere in all the land is there
better work.
By its charter, this association twas en-
powered to take and hold property for the
ument. By the act of the legislature of 1888,
this power was taken away, for In that it Is
declared that. If the lot of land in Market
square shall be taken and appropriated "As
and for site, location or plan fol the erec-
ti0n and maintenance forever of monument
in memory of the soldiers and sailors who
sacrificed their lives in defence of their
country in the recent war;" then the associa-
ton was empowered to erect monument
on said land and thereafter said lot of land
and any monument erected thereon shall be
forever under the control OF the city,"
Simple but thrilling Is that word forever
The years will come and 60, other school
children will walk our streets, other coun-
cillors will occupy your places and this trust
Will be theirs. Take 1t into your hands now
give 1t TO them as you receive 1t now. The
days slip away and are gone, but this trust
goes on f0reper.
In the course of his remarks Gen. Brown
introduced Mr.. Simmons. who rose and
bowed his acknowledgment to the applause
Mayor True followed Gen. Brown, accept
log the gift on behalf the city, speaking as
follows:
Mayor True's Reply.
Mr.. President and Members of the Portland
Soldiers and Sailors Monument Associa
ton:
L esteem myself happy to represent the
city of Portland in the grateful service OF
receiving at your hands the monument to hel
sons who exposed and who gave their lives
for the preservation of the republic.
History records no nobler cause than that
for which those sons Of this city cheerfully
met and suffered the tolls and dangers of war.
Deeds more heroic than theirs have never
been performed.
Their best and proudest monument
is race emancipated, a country pre-
served, united, prosperous and respected
among the nations Of the earth.
To that grandest and most precious mon
ument, structures like this, evermore pro-
claiming the sacrifices made and the noble
lives given to secure it, will turn the hearts
OF all future generations of Americans with
deeper affection and loftier pride.
Ii In the future the storm of war shall
again sweep over our beloved country the
sons OF Portland will not be slow to emulate
the patriotic example commemorated and
h0nOred by the beautiful monument you
have raised, and will be ready to do all
things, to suffer all things for the glory and
safety of their native or their adopted land.
Art has no nobler Office than to perpetuate
the memory and impress the lessons Of noble
deeds. That Office is here we'll DONE Let
no one regret that the fulflment of this
work has been delayed till now, for time has
protected us against hasty and crude per-
Torrance. By the AID of native genius the
monument now committed to the reverent
care of the city stands forth beautiful, an
eloquent and fitting tribute to her patriotic
sons by the grateful people of Portland.
AS the official representative of that peo-
pie and In the name and behalf of this city,
| accept at your hands the monument you
have builded as a sacred trust. to be watch
F.xII L. -lxl f-tG l. Fill