The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-21
NEAL DOW.

drawn by mere curiosity, IS to a
spectacle, the majority, it may be
assumed, were attracted to the hall by
desire to emphasize their regard Tor
Gen. Dow, land their approval of the
great work which, they believe, he has
done for the promotion of the prohibit
ton cause.
The stage, built far out beyond the
permanent platform, was draped in
bunting, conspicuous being the battle
flags of the 18th Maine, and profusely
decorated with ferns and flowers, it's
front being one long curve of evergreens.
Upon the rear wall, under the clock, ran
the motto of the W.C.T.U., slightly
changed SO as to become OF cosmopolitan
application, and reading Sod and
Home and Every Land" Portraits of
Gen. Dow and Miss Willard, and
picture of the VIC. T. U. temple stood
upon easels, while from the ceiling hung
festoons of the national colors and those
of the various temperance organizations.
Banners. too, were imposed upon the
pillars and window frames. The entire
effect was charming.
At precisely the time appointed the
High School orchestra made it's appear
ance upon the stage, followed shortly
after by the clergy Of the city, Gov.
Cleaves, Mayor Baxter, Gen. Conner,
Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, Mrs. Clara G. Hoff-
mann, and other invited guests, includ-
ing men and women of local prominence
in the prohibition movement. The
orchestra and the chorus of young
singers, under the direction of Mr..
Harvey S. Murray, entertained the
audience at intervals during the evening
with choice selections of music.
At eight O'Clock, amid applause,
which at first a ripple, speedily became a
roar, Gen. Dow himself appeared upon
the platform. The appearance of the
veteran agitator, reformer and law-giver.
bearing his great burden of years with
wonderful elasticity, and looking
younger than many man of seventy,
was perhaps the most powerful and
striking appeal, as it was certainly the
most picturesque, that could be pre-.
sented for high thinking and temperate
living.
AS the applause died away, Mrs. l.. M.
N. Stevens, one of the most admirable of
that noble band of women who control
the fortunes of the Wet. u, called the
meeting to order, and..very briefly pre-
sented Mayor Baxter as it's chairman,
while the singing children broke into
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe's Battle Hymn of
the Republic. Mayor Baxter announced
that the services would be formally
opened by the Rev. DR.. C. F. Allen,
chaplain of the Maine Legislature in
1850, who offered fervent prayer
= The Mayor spoke briefly and we'll as
follows:
Mayor Baxter Address.
"I have been asked to preside at this
meeting as a representative of Portland,
whose citizens ever delight to honor
those of her sons who merit honor by
worthy achievement. Port1and's bead
roll of worthy sons is effulgent with
many illustrious Names and among the
brightest of them is the name Of the
man whose ninetieth birthday we, in
common with men the world over have
tonight assembled to celebrate.
Il think IL was Thomas Carlyle who
said that mans religion is the chief
part of him, and that religion is what
he practically lays to heart. No man has
better illustrated in his lite this pithy
apothem than Neal Dow. Having, early
in his career, resolved upon the noble
purpose Of emancipa.ing humanity from
servitude more cruel than mere
physical bondage, this purpose became
the chief part Of him, his religion, in
deed; and how faithfully he has adhered
to it you and / know; and we know too,
against what severe opposition. What
weapons have not been turned against
him; threats; aDathemas; falsehond;
the keenest shafts of ridicule; weapons
SO facilely employed by the multitude
against men who would do their duty;
yet he has withstood them all, and now
enjoys the mead of victory. Look upon
him tonight, citizens of Portland, and
let the memory of this occasion remain
with you. I am here not as an orator,