The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-22
NEAL DOW'S BIRTHDAY.
The Ninety-third Anniversary Cele-
brated Saturday.

He Received Numberless Messages-Many
Citizens Called on Him-A Large Nj eet-
ing at City Hall--ExcelIent Addresses
Letters Read.
On Saturday. Gen. Neal Dow, the father
OF the Maine prohibitory law, celebrated
the Odd anniversary of his birth. He
himself, passed the day very quietly at
his home on Congress street, receiving as
many of the hundreds who called to pay
their respects as his strength would al
low, and reading the thousands of con-
gratulatory messages which came to him
by mail, by telegraph and by cable. These
messages were nearly all eloquent trib-
utes to his life's work which has been SO
fraught with blessings for humanity.
They came from the rich and the poor,
the humble and the great, from the far
West the frozen North and the balny
South. Letters and cablegrams to Etify-
Ing to the love and estesm with which
he is held came from Europe, India and
countries which are almost reckoned as
beyond the bale of civilization. Many
were from old friends and acquaintance,
but tie vast majority were from
strangers who in congratulating the
great reformer on the celebration of his
natal day also expressed their sympathy
with the cause which he inaugurated.
Beautiful bouquets by the dozen were
sent to the residence of Portland's es-
teelned and distinguished citizen and
surrounded by his family, a few old
friends and the loving tributes of thous-
ands of admirers and disciples, Gen. Neal
Dow passed on to the beginning of his
Gath year. During the early morning
Mayor Randall and Alderman rJohn B.
Kehoe, in behalf of the city government
called and paid their respects.
THE EVENING MEETING.
But 1t was in the evening that the citi-
zens of Portland assembled to show their
love anc respect to the man who has
done so much for them, :hsir city and
their state. disagreeanle snow storm,
accompanied by rain, made the evening,
a most uncomfortabls.one to be out in,
but notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather City hall was well filed and
only few seats were unoccupied when
the exercises commenced. 8 I'll
The hall was magniicently decorated
for the occasion. In the rear of the stage
were festoons of bunting and flags grace
fully draped around hugh banner bear
ing the words Meal Dow On the left
hung another banner with the figures
1884, the year of the great reformer's
birth and on the other side of the stage
WAS another banner with "1S97'' upon it.
With its tattered folds o 'er the center
piece, its colors failed and the gilt let
tiers which adorned it. telling OF conflicts
through which it had passed, nearly
obliterated by time and hard usage WIS
the battle flag of the old 18th Maine Reg
iment which Gen. Dow commanded dur
Ing the war. This flag was the icynosure
of all eyes and the references which
were made to it by the speakers called
forth from the large audience storms of
patriotic appla use.
The front Of the platform was adorned
with potted plants of all kinds while the
r4ch furniture and arrangements of the
stage formed a picture delightful for the
eye to rest upon.
For the first time In his official career
Mayor Charles Il. Randall presided and
he did so in a graceful and charming
manner. In calling the assem- blage to
order Mayor Randall gave uttesance to
an eloquent tribute to Gen. Dow and his
lahors.
i He said : "No duty that shall be
called upon to perform during my ad-
ministration as Mayor of our city will be
mora pleasing to me or confer a greater
honor upon me than does THIS. 1t is my
pleasure TO extend to Gen. Neal Dow my
congratulations and those'of the city on
this the anniversary of his 9Sd birth
day
Continuing Mayor Randall said that