Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-22

democracy. The people are the legiSla-
tive body. They assemble annually to
determine what shall be done for the
moral, intellectual and material welfare.
To the town meeting is submitted all
questions. Every citizen may speak free
ly; may proclaim his views without fear
or favor; may cast his vote uninflueneed
and must abide by the righteous decision
of the majority Thus the voice of the
people becomes the voice of God" The
wisest man of all time cried out "Give
me neither poverty nor riches" Expert
ence would add, let me not dwell like the
hermit or with the restless crowd of the
great city. The highest epjoyments of
| life are obtained in the town life
| 1t is well that You who are by birth
and association part of this typical New
England town should take pride in this
your centennial, and with music and song
and speech recall the past of Litchf1eld,
conte mplate with admiration It's present
and look with faith to its future. Here
upon the hills, and in the valleys and the
plains of this old town dwells neither
| poverty nor wealth. Poverty is unknown
within its limits, and great wealth, with
its corruptMg influences is not here
| Those of us who have passed beyond
the rashness OF youth know that all true
happiness in life comes from pure cbarac-
ter. 1t is in the quiet, the simplicity,
the purity of town life that men and wo-
men are reared. We should never forg,
that "God made the first garden the City
| Cain" The town schoolhouse, the village
church are the grandest structures ever
erected. They eclipse the university and
no f1Hyn 70 1raI l,,s, fr,H SC
sweeter and purer. They form and mould
and make character You ought this day
to boast and to exult with exceeding joy
| over your past, for you are part and par
Gel of town which has produced as true
race of men and women, in moral
worth, in intellectual strength, In sturdy
common sense, schooled in New England
thrift enjoying neighborly affection,
blessed by the comforts of home life, as
ever existed.
"The spring of government is the little town
On their strong lives we base our social
The man, the home, the town. the Common
wealth."
The next speaker had hardly concluded
his opening sentence when that which
was feared happened-the strong wind
proved too much for the tent The poles
on the west side blew partially down.
Amid the confusion the immense audience
did not once approach panic. The cool
ness of the presiding officer. Hon. Ora
mandsl Smith. and those in front, doubt
less did much to avert stampede. The
tent was pulled down and the exercises
we're adjourned to the open air, the speak
ing being done from the band stand
There remained on the programme the
school history by DR.. Lewis M. Palmer of
South Framingham, Mass, the poem
The People for the Land and the Land
for the People," by Mrs. Ellen Sawyer
Palmer of Int rlachen, Flo. "Soldiers of
Lttchfield," by Gen. l. W. Starbird of
Boston; doctors of Litchtield, by DR..
NJ G. Wedgewood of Lewiston, and an
address by Hon. John Day Smith of
Minneapolis together with several in
formal addresses by distinguished guests.
All the papers showed careful research
and were able, the dry facts often being
clothed in eloquent language. 1t is pro-
posed to print these papers in pamphlet
form and they will form a comprehensive
history of the town, of rare interest.
For the young people the days events
closed with balls given by the two bands
in town, the Litchfield and Peases Cadet
Bands ,-t
The really wonderful success with which
everything was carried out was due to
united effort on the part Of the men and
women of the town. 1t would be difficult
to select for special mention all the in
dividuals who worked hardest. Hon.
Oramandal Smith has been among the
foremost. and the smoothness with which
the exercises passed off is in great degree
due to his abilities as presiding officer.
Each speaker was introduced in words
that exactly flttstHthe occasion. Mr.. Smith
also was the corresponding secretary of
the general committee, of which E. 2.
Springer was the efficient chairman, and
Henry Taylor the bard working secretary.
Among the gentlemen who devoted much
time to the undertaking were: DR.. Adams.
J. A. Chase, NJ. S. H. Rogers, J. f.
Chase John Purington, Orrin True, II.
NJ. Starbird, f. p. Thayer, G. Roberts,
Jr., d. n. Smith, c. A. Metcalf, Thos.
Holmes, f. n. Adams, A. ID. Bartlett and
Il. W. Plimpton.
Litchleld's next centennial has pre-
cedent hard to excel.
The Birch Tree That Split q Rock.