The Portland daily press., 1895-11-28
VETERAN FIREMEN
oeieorate Their Fourth Anniversary
at City Hall.

he Flag-Appropriate speeches-A
Jolly Dance.
| Inc Veteran Firemen's Association
ooieprated their fourth anniversary by a
eianu nall and concert at City hall last
evening. The beautiful decorations that
were put up for the presentation of the
Maines silver service were allowed to re-
nam, and were great addition to the
affair.
TOT little while after the doors opened
capital balcony concert WAS given by
Diie veteran band. While they were play.
ing ohe crowd of ladies and gentlemen
began to press into the hall, and all the
seats about the sides and in the balconies
were quickly taken possession Of
neilghtful concert by the American Cadet
oahu-the programme has been published
was given from to o'c lock.
AT precisely, the curtain rose to display
beautiful spectacle In the centre of
the stage stood Mrs. Brooks, president Of
the Ladies' League. with the committee
OF ladies', and Il number of young girls,
prettlly dressed, each carrying an Ameri-
can flag, formed selni-circle about
them, while outside of all were ranged
the Veteran Firemen in their red shirts.
White belts and black trousers their
badges fastened by handsome bouquets.
Mrs. Brooks president of the Ladies
League, advancing said:
DIT. President and Brother Firemen:
1 have duty to perform this evening
OF Which may we'll feel proud. Brothers,
as wo meet here tonight it recalls to our
memory the days Of youth. Who among
you tonight but would respond to the call
OF ire; that dreadful cry. Whose heart
| does not feel touched with pity for the
poor fireman? Who knows what his fate
may be2 You, only, brothers, can tell of
the tolls and struggles of your frelnen
Ihere are many among us tonight who
can tell some startling stories as you look
back to the days when the old hand tub
did its service. How many of you, after
a long days toll have-been called from
our homes to render assistance to your
fellow citizens? The motto always in
your mind Every ready" But Brothers,
| am OBTAINING you too long. hope this
evening will be one you will always re-
mem Der and cherish and now the duty l
am about to perform is to present to you
this flag, in the name of the Ladies'
| lJoitS uS Nldy IL Ub
to you all that b]est emblem, the Stars
and Stripes of our country.
The children then sang the Red, White
and Blue.
| President Fox received the flag and
after passing it to Mr. John Bond, the
| color bearer, said:
| Ladies In behalf of the Veteran Fire
men of Portland, accept with pleasure
and with thanks this beautiful flag. All
gifts have significance, whatever be the
motive that dictates them. But to the
true American the flag of his country has
a peculiar significance separate and dis
tinct from all else. AS has been eloquent
| ly said by one of our distinguished states
men, "There is the National Flag; it
| speaks sublimely, and every part has a
voice. Its stripes of alternate red and
white proclaim the original union of
thirteen states to maintain the Declara-
ton of Independence. Its stars white
on, field of blue, proclaim that union Of
states constituting our national CONSTITUTE
ton, which receives a new star with
every new state. The two together
signify union, past and present. The
very colors have Language which was
officially recognized by our fathers. White
is for purity, red for valor, blue for
justice and altogether stripes, stars and
colors blazing in the sky, make the flag
of our country to be cherished by all our
hearts, to be upheld by all our hands,
| But am OBTAINING you from other
duties and other pleasures that await
you. Permit me in closing to thank you
again for your gift; rich in artistic
beauty; rich in historic love; and replete
with patriotic love Of country. I now
propose three cheers for sold Glory"
| The cheers were given with a will.
] A L AZ II n. IN
the children sang the "Star Spangled
Banner" and the band played few bars
| Of the same selection.
The flag is very handsome silk one
and on the staff bears silver plate witt
the inscription Portland Veteran Fire.
mems Association, from the Ladies'
League, Nov. 9th, 1885,"
Then Treasurer Cummings stepped for.
ward. and, after referring to the fous
Years of service under Mr.. Fox, said the
association wished, like Jhe ancients,
who marked lucky days with white
! stories, to mark this anniversary as they
hadn't any white stories, they offered
him this beautiful white belt. Mr.. Fox
in reply said at first he didn't know but
what they though it was time for him te
die and they would put up white head
stone over him. AS it was, he felt MI DIT
easier and accepted the beautiful gift
with thanks.
Then the grand march came on of ovel
two hundred couples, led by President
Fox and Mrs Brooks. There were twelve
dances to the music of the Cadet orchestrs
with chief marshal, Vice President
James W. Plaisted floor director, ex
Captain Lester b. Bragg; assistant fool
director, James E. Sawyer, and aids
Captain John B. Brown, Capt. George
Q. Jose, Capt. Albert E. Knight, FRANK
P. Burnham, Levi M. Blake, James E.
Harmon, George II. Rolfe, James H.
Morris. E. K. Guenthner, p. G. Melody,
John Bond, A. H. Fowler.
The committee Of arrangements was
composed of ex-Assistant Engineer James
W. Plaisted, ex-Chief Engineer Andrew
.. Cummings, ex-Captain Lester B.
Bragg, Clerk P. c. Melody. Charles #.
Dam, ESQ.,, Daniel Goodhue, ESQ.,, E. III.