Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-15
Erected l8-,
Dedicated 1894,
To the Memory Of Robert Morris.

Prayer was offered by Rt. Rev Stephen
Vincent Ryan, Roman Catholic bishop of
the diocese of Buffalo, and adjournment
for lunch followed.
At 2 u. H., the exercises in the state
park, opposite the state institution for the
blind, were begun by music from man
moth chorus, and prayer by Rev. Arthur
Cleveland Coke, Episcopal bishop Of the
diocese of western New York. An origi-
nal poem by John II. Yates, entitled "Our
Ancient Landmark" was read by the au-
thor, followed by patriotic music
Hon. John G. Carlisle then addressed
the assenabiagc.
Secretary CarIisle's Address.
Robert Morris, or as he has sometimes
been called Robert Morris, Jr., was foi
many years one of the most conspicuous
figures in the galaxy Of great mon, whose
craftsmanship and courage achieved the
INDEPENDENCE Of the American colonies,
and to him moro than to any other man
in n civil station, the people were indebted
for the successful termination of the Rey-
Dictionary war. 1t is characteristic of the
martial race to which we belong to apprc-
catc to the fullest extent, and sometimes
to ovcrcstimatc the services OF the success.
ful soldier, while simple iusticeis not al
ways done to the quiet statesman ard
Gnnncicr without whose cooperation and
support the armies of the grandcst com
mandcr could neither make a movement
nor fight "a battlc.
SO long rs the people Of TIC Unit23
States hold in grateful remembrance the
names and deeds of Washington and has
brave associates in arms they ought not
TO forget tho services of the merchant
flnancicr who, Mt II most critical period OF
their history substantially created and
sustained the credit without which the
most heroic efforts of those patriot sol
dlcrs would have been unavailing; and
vet, although century has elapsed since
Robert Morris finished his public work
and retired to private life, and nearly 81
years have passed since his death, there is
no public memorial to attest the people
appreciation of his great services ard
very few even know the place of his
burial.
Monuments Of bronze and marble have
been erected in every part OF the land to
pcrpctuatc the fame of the men who were
associated with him during the war ana
afterwards. so that even their forms and
faces are almost as familiar 10 rs as the
forms and faces of our nearest friends In
nearly every park and public place in our
great centerS of population there stands
the figure Of some hero or statesman OF the
revolutionary period, and In nearly every
household there hangs picture common
orativo of the person or the services OF
some prominent actor in the troublouS
fines which preceded the establishment OF
our Independence; but neither the figure
nor the portrait of
Robert Morris In Among Them.
1t is alike crcditable to the patriotism
and the libCrality of the citizens of west
ern New York that they have organized
the first public association and lnaugur
atcd the first practical movement for the
purpose of paying long deferred tribute
to she memory of man who, notwlth'
standing all the malignant accusations
made against him while in the public serv-
ice has left record In which the critical
researches of a hundred years have failed
to discover a trace of dishonor or any lack
of unsoltish devotion to the true interests
of his countrymen.
Robert Morris was born in Liverpool
on Jan. 81. 1874, new style and, according
TO statement in his fathers will, came to
America in 1743. His father, also named
robert, was a native of the same place,
and is said to have been originally nail
maker, but afterwards became mer-
chant. and was accidcntly killed by the
discharge OF cannon which was fired in
his honor as he was leaving ship on
which he had gone TO attend special en-
tcrtainmcnt.
At the time of his fathers death Robert
Morris was about Is years old, and was
employed in the mercantile house OF the
81 h.,,, M
lf54 when ho and Thomas Willing,
younger member OF the family, formed
partnership. which continued without in
corruption for nearly 40 years. Although
an Englishman by birth he promptly
identified himself with the friends of the
colonies in the controversy between them
and his mother country, and in ki6o, III
years before the battle of Lexington, he
signed the non-importation agreement,
and was Incmbcr of the committee OF
citizens which waited upon the collector
of the stamp act to compel him to vacate
his Office, which he did after considering
the matter for two or three days. In 1866
he was warden of the port of Philadelphia,
and in l771o, when the quarrel between the
colonies and Great Britain had almost
reached the point where reconciliation
upon any reasonable terms was impossible,
he was appointed on the council N safety
for the state of Pennsylvania. In October
OF the same year he was elected a member
of the Provincial assembly under the old
charter, and in November the assembly
appointed him one of the delegates
To the Continental Congress.
The next year, 17776, no was again elected
TO the assembly under the new constitr-
ton of the state, the old charter and the
Old assembly having been abolished by q
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