Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-20
AUGUSTA.
An Elegant Tribute Paid 10 the City We
Have.

| AT the banquet rendered to the State
Board of Trade. at Ellsworth, Wednes.
day evening. President Lord urged that
we ought always to talk and work for
our own State and our own town. as
though we believe them to be the best
under the sun. President Hichborn OF
the Augusta board, being called upon to
speak for Augusta, responded as follows:
Mr. Toastmaster and Gentlemen:
l sympathiZe with the president and
shall follow his advice, feeling sure that
whatever meets his approval bears the
stamp of ruth.
1t Is an honor to represent the Capital
City even in this minor capacity; ! fully
appreciate it; l wish | was able to do her
justice. For she has dealt kindly with
me- and ] love her. Within her limits 1
have grown from boys to mans estate
there l builded me home, there found
me a wife. there my children have been
born and will be reared. there. probably,
l shall be buried. 1t is but natural. there
fore, that in. and for. her. l take the
most active interest, entertain the most
tender regard.
1t is frequently said that Augusta al
that is very nearly true. The chief reason
for this is. probably. that she really asks
for but very little and never for any
thing. but what is right, from one side of
the scale to the other. And whether she
offers a candidate for the Presidency, or
for the highest judicial Office in the
world-for Congressional or Guberna-
torial honors-a plan for the erection of
State House or a scheme for building
palatial piggery. she presents one without
Il moral blemish or physical defect
And there is another reason; there are.
today. all over the land. thousands of
men who look upon Augusta as you col
legiates do upon your Alma Mater. Going
: Lx- he
sequestered wales of life bearing with
them their new-bought sandals and
staggering weight of new-found RESPONSE
bility. they find. in the brilliant galaxy of
ish and uplifting charity of the f"Third
House., in the open-handed hospitality
of her State institutions, and in her all
defying. all-conquering aggregation of
polo, the elements of a broad and COM
prehensive citizenship! o. wonderful
metamorphosis. The middle-aged goes
back to his home the hoary sage-the
callow youth. an accomplished statesman.
Thenceforth his rostrum is no longer the
flour barrel of the corner grocery. but
the stage of the great metropolis! What
wonder then. that her modest and right
eous appeals meet with speedy recogni-
ton, when strengthened by the demands
of such powerful alumnuS.
Time forbidS my entering, in detail. into
the excelencies of this city. rich in all
that makes for noble living. And why
need l weary your patient hearing? Au-
gusta! Have you not all heard of her?
Is not her name blazoned upon the most
brilliant pages of the nations history?
Stand in the halls of State. where words
of wisdom fall from lip of sage and pro-
phet-Augusta's voice has there been
heard Go into the courts of justice,
where triumphs that righteousness which
exalteth nation-Augusta holds the
balance. Find yourself in the he'll of bat
tie, where heroism makes its grandest
sacrifice, Augusta lies bleeding there.
Wcnd your way through the more peace
full walks of life, into the homes and
hearts of the people of this land--Augusta
still is there. And there / leave her;
bosomed where no harm can eer befall
her. deep-rooted in the affections of
loving and loyal people. the city of our
hope and our pride. the embodiment of
energy and of progress, leading the
march of the municipalities Of this State.
in their struggle toward the attainment
of the ideal.