The Portland daily press., 1895-02-15
SONS OF MAINE.
Hold Their Fourteenth Annual Ban
qnet in Chicago.

Addresses by Prof. A. w. Small and e. C.
| SWEET and an Ode by Mrs. Caroline Dana
Howe-Miss Annie Frank Libby, the
Harpist a Notable Attraction of the
Eveuing-The officers of the Society.
The Fourteenth Annual Banquet of
the Sons and Daughters of Maine OF
Chicago was given at the Auditorium
Hotel Wednesday evening. MI. Chas f.
KimbalI, formerly of Portland, Presi-
dent of the Society. occupied the chair,
and made few remarks, which were
listened to with great interest both be-
cause of their value and from the fact
that Mr. Kim ba1Ps father, Hon. Chas. 2.
Kimball, so well known as former
prominent citizen of Portland, was the
| first President of the Society, and per-
| haps did more than any other one pres
emit to organizes it. 1t will be remem-
bered that when the Association was
organized fourteen years ago a large
number of Maine men were invited out
AS guests of the Society for that occas-
ion, prominent. among whom were Hon.
Bion adbury, Hon. Hannibal Hamlln,
and Hon. Chas.F. Libby.
Much to the relief of the members OF
| the Association and their friends who
| partook of the banquet. speech making
W as not much in evidence, but the ex-
ercises had variety which is seldom
enjoyed upon an occasion of the kind.
Rev. Daniel F Smith, of Evanston, in
voked the divine blessing.
| Prof. A w. Small of the University
Chicago, made few remarks, taking as
| his theme the State of Maine, which
were received with great interest. ffof.
| Small is now at the head of the DEPART
ment of Sociology and Director of A fill
ated Work in the University OF Chicago.
an institution which, although young
in wears. has already attracted tine at
Iention of educators III all parts of the
country, from the fact that it has made
such rapid strides in the direction of
practical education. Prominent among
the features of its course is the Univer-
sity Extension system with which Prof.
Nathaniel Butler. also native OF Maine,
is connected.
Mr.. Edwin C. SWEET of Portland ap-
peared by special invitation and deliv-
cred most interesting address entitled
Picturesque Maine" which excited the
degree. Mr.. SWEET distinguished himsef
by the graceful and eloquent manner in
which he delivered his address, and if
repeated in tine West, as it is hoped it
will be, it will be of great benefit to
Maine as attracting the attention Of sum-
mer tourists in that direction.
The great attraction of the evening, es-
pecially to those who are fond of music,
/ was Miss Annie Frank Libby, now of Bos-
ton, formerly of Portland, whose fame
as harpist had already reached Chicago
she being invited here by the Society for
this occasion. Her playing was pro-
nounced by the musical critics present
as being the work of true artist. The
solos rendered by her excelled especially
| in expression and sweetness of tone.
| The menu did credit to the host, but
nothing attracted more attention or
| delighted the guests more than the
| Poland water, which as is well known
in Chicago and the West as it is in
Maine. gs
| The following ode from the pen of
| Mrs. Carolina Dana Howe of Portland.
was read, to the great delight of the au-
dience:
MAINE TO CHICAGO-GREETING
The sun at morn. through yon Atlantic gate
Comes proudly in, and his dominion proves;
His first glance falling on the Pine Tree stat e
To light up Maine. before he westward
| moves
And then we bid him open wide the door.
Where sons of Maine await his warmth and
Whose first faint heart-beats, on this hith-
| shore
Gave life new impulse, in it's destined
sphere.
Warm greetings bring We! For our pulses
beat
IT, .uy;ftor n,aasura 90 4bouobt Lipl1as
Recalling tender memories complete.
OF those afar. at our own fresides taught.
Though sad hearts, voiceless, mark the way
they went
From out their birthplace. OF ancestral
| home,
Yes, love can span the widest continent,
To claim its own, however far they roam.
Names daughters TOO, Loves circle to
complete.
May. unresisted, claim their biTthright free.
| While word and smile, benz ficent and sweet.
Give hope its light. and love It's ministry.
For Maine hath given of her best indeed. /.
| Her sc holars, Statesmen, ana brave sons OF
70 aid in traffic. serve the Countrys need.
To raise its Temples, or to till Is soil.
But more than all, the great West hath ap-
+ sorbed sg4
Within it's sphere, the willing heart and
|
| That 90 10 fashion intellects full-orhed.
| Which, East or West, supremacy maintain.
For such we build within our hearts a
Whose outlook may encompass earth and
And ali of Heaven. whose windows crysta-
line
Reflect the light of Truths own sover-
| eighty.
All blessings then upon our sons of Maine
And yon proud City, their adopted home,
| Who for itself has won enduring fame.
| Wherever arches Heavens encircling DOME
| And while We watch the pendulum of Time
Mark off the hours, in swinging to and fro,
We hear faint echoes from the West, in
chime
With Pine Tree whispers. breathing sweet
and low.
Miss Belle Bartlett sang two solo
with marked success. She was rapturs
ously applauded. A letter of regret was
read from Mr.. D. G. Callahan of the
Maine Worlds Fair commission. Miss
Blanche Dingley, daughter of F. S. Ding
ley, ESQ.,, of Lewiston, played five selec