The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-26
MAINE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
The Points Made by the Essayist and Poet
at Yesterdays Meeting.

The Maine Press Association re-assem-
bled in the common council room yes,er-
day forenoon. Secretary Wood read the
roll-call of members who We're not pres
emit the day before. Those who respond
ed were f. A. Morrill, of Gardiner, Chas.
W. Pickard and F. l.. Tower of Port
land.
On motion of George S. Rowell, it
was decided to accept the resignation of
George A. Quimby of Belfast aspect, in
view of the fact that he had already
served in that capacity and was in seri-
GUS condition at the prospect of doing so
w. Robbins of Oldtown serve as poet for
the coming year.
Albert W. Shorey, of the Bridgton
News, on recommendation of Major H.
A. Shorey and Mrs. Mary A. McFarlane
of the Portland Transcript, on recon-
mendation of Charles F, Whittier, were
admitted to membership.
Marshall N. Rich called attention to
new badge that had been made for the
association in the form of looped rib
bon, crossed by a quill pen Those for
the original members, of whom there
are now but nine living, have a gold pen.
Those for the others are all silver.
On motion of G. w. Robbins, this
badge was accepted as the official badge
of the association.
In view of the fact that DIR. Lapham
OF Augusta, the retiring treasurer, is
now in precarious condition from i'll
ness. and not likely to meet with the as
ISOLATION again, it was voted to send to
him the thanks and sympathy of the as
ISOLATION, together with a more substan-
tial token of regard and recognition of
his long and valuable services in the
shape of $50 in money
The matter Of next summers excur-
sion came up for discussion, and Mar
shall N. Rich for the committee said
that there had been some talk of going
to Aroostook, but it seemed to him that
it would be better to wait till the B. & A.
railroad was extended throughout the
county SO that advantage might be taken
of that. He added that his visit to Bel
fast to- attend the meeting of the State
Board of Trade had convinced him that
that city and its charming surroundings
contributed one of the most desirable
places in the state yet unvisited.
After long discussion, it was voted
that tho excursion Of the coming sum
mer be made to Penobscot Bay and vi
cinity. The following committee was
appointed: c. A. Pillsbury, George A.
Quimby, and George E. Bracket of Bel
fast, Chester W. Robbins of Oldtown,
and William J. Landers of Gardiner.
Among late arrivals who were present
at the literary exercises in the afternoon
were the venerable Joseph A. Holman
and Clarence B. Burleigh of Augusta,
Miss G. T. Crosby ely Rod) of Range
ley, and Henry S. Webster of Gardiner,
the poet of the occasion.
The essayist, Frank II. Dexter of
Springvale, spoke in practical way of
'The Maine Press Association, Its
Strength and Influence" He dwelt up
on the vastness of the audiences reached
by the newspapers and especially the
particular function of the local paper.
He believed that these yearly gatherings
should be something more than social,
and practical thought for the upbuilding
of the state should be brought forward
and discussed. Situated as the newspa-
per men are, there should be no meeting
of any organization, not even the Board
of Trade, that could effect so much as
this association. Ee dwelt at length up
on the possibilities of Maine for ad-
vancement and of her newspapers to
help bring that about Mr.. Dexter
aroused the hearty approval of his au-
dience.
The poem 'Our Country" by Henry
S. Webster, was finished and graceful
production. 1t closed with this appeal
for freedom for Hawaii:
Land thatart set like gem in the sea,
Hawaii!
What is the voics coming hither from thee,
Hawaii!
Down with the tyrant. hear the bold cry,
Cleaving the cloud-drifts that darken thy SKY;
Faint not, despair not, for succor is nigh;
Hold to thy purpose and thou salt be free
Hawaii!
Here dwell my people, the mighty, the brave,
Hawaii!
Theirs is the power to help and to save,
Hawaii!
They too have felt the oppressor's fell blight,
They too have CROPPED to the day from the
night
See how they stand in their manhood and
might.
Strong with the gifts which thine agonies crave.
Hawaii!
Think not their ears will be deaf to thy cry.
Hawaii!
Fear not they'll leave thee to weep and to die.
Hawaii!
towards may falter and cravens NAV fail
Truth is immortal and right will prevail,
Light out of darkness and blessing from bale
Surely shall springaS the ages go by,
Hawaii!
Kingdoms must crumble and despots must fail,
Hawaii
Nro,, abs ,J,i, of ft,a