Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-04

when there came upon the stage, Tin.
heralded and without display, small
body OF men into whose hands had been
committed the erection and completion
Of the structure. Faithfully, patiently
aud perslstently they have done their
work and this afternoon they present to
us as the best evidences Of their stewardship
this perfected building, with Its rugged
strength, its chaste outlines, its elegant
equipment. Many may have wondered
why more rapid progress was not
made, and why roof did not more
closely follow upon foundation. 1t is
hut just to the committee to say that
progress has been made as rapid
ly as was consistent with thoroughness
and that well done rather than quickly
finished" has been the motive. Some
where have beard this legend used az
text: A traveller in a strange country SAW
wcrkmcn busily engaged upon the founda-
ton of building. And the stranger
said to the worknen, What build &c here
IA palace or howell" And the work
men replied, Sire, we know not, for we
build in the dark. - See to 1t. them
said the stranger, THAT ye build we'll
1t was prosaic, this digging for firm
foundations this laying of stone on stone,
of brick on brick, this fastening together
of timbers this finishing, part by part.
And yet as tho rough stone of the quarry
was gradually transformed into the grace
fnl exterior, and the rugged oak of the
forest grew into pillar, wainscot and cor
nice, their satisfaction must have been
not unlike that of the sculptor whose
chisci calls forth the statue from the mar
BILE or the artist whose brush bids the
portrait speak out from the canvas
Gentlemen Of the committee. you have
given to this work the most valuable gift
that busy men can bestow upon the pub
Inc, your time, ard for the days and months
which you have devoted to it you deserve
and will receive the deepest gratitude.
III was appropriate that the beginning
should have been made in the spring time
1t Is equally appropriate that its compile
ton should have been reached in mid win
ter, which to US Of New England suggests
so much OF indoor comfort, and that this
twilight hour should have been selected
for this simple service Of dedication, that
hour which is the dearest of the day,
gathering the family about the hearth
stone in that circle of mutual love and
heipfulness, of intellectual culture and |
moral Improvement which the stern bleak |
ness of IA New England winter seems only |
to cherish and to strengthen. To me the |
best picture Of New England home is |
found just there, and now as night ap- |
proaches, these members of larger circle |
have gathered about this intellectual |
hearthstone to be welcomed to this new |
home of learning and to dedicate it to the |
noble purposes for which it was conceived |
and erected.
The citizens of Augusta may be par
doned if they feel today, full measure |
of honest pride and self satisfaction In |
the first place, this is pre- eminently a |
Maine institution. and | can almost say, |
an Augusta institution. Its founder was |
native Of this state and lived all his life |
within her borders. Nearly every gift to- |
ward the building fund.- experimenting |
the bequest Of the founder, was made by |
either native or q resident of Maine, and |
with rare exceptions native or a resi- |
dent of this city. This building was de- |
signed by Maine man, n native of the |
same county as MIR. Lithgow. 1t is built |
OF Maine granite, the product of our own |
mines. 1t has been put together by Maine |
men, the faithfulness of whose work will |
bear the most scrutinizing test; and it is |
to be used by Maine people who will see to |
1t that an Institution so founded and |
building so designed and constructed shall |
be fostered and maintained.
In the second place, this library speaks |
for the public spirit of our citizens. 1t |
proves that thu may he relied upon to en-