Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-09-06
sucxr,slo,s GIG DAY.
A ROYAL RECEPTION GIVEN HER MOST
DISTINGUISHED SON.

ROYAL RECEPTION GIVEN HER NOS
DISTINGUISHED SON.
Hon John d. Long, our very abls
Secretary Of the Navy, SAYS TO the Dem
ocrat "You know Buckfield occupies .
large place In my affections" By TIL!
time the Secretary must know that ht
occupies large place In the affections
Of his native town.
Notice was given out that the people
Of BuckAeld would tender Secretary
Long reception at N, zinscot Hall on
the afternoon Of Saturday, last. Did
they responds Well, now, you ought to
have seen them. They came by hun.
dreds. II looked at one time a. though
the big public hall wouldn't hold them.
Extra seats were brought 10 but the
large audience could not all be seated.
The hall had been beautifully decorated
for the occasion with what Bank Exam.
liner Hatch pronounced "the great Amer
lean dag and the great American flower"
Somebody IL entitled to very much credit
for the decorations but we don't dare to
say who for fear We might omit some one
Of the number who had hand In It.
Upon the platform could be seen the
rotund form and genial countenance Of the
Secretary Of the Navy, looking as happy
as 4 boy with his first pair Of boots. At
his right sat Hon. Edward l.. Paris Of
New York city, another son Of Buckfield
aud former chum and schoolmste Of the
Secretary, who Is now 8 successful
lawyer at the metropolis, and who Was
at Buckfeld, as Is his annual custom, to
celebrate his birthdsy. Capt. Charles
II. Prince and Thos. s. BRIGHAM, Esq /,
MASTER Of ceremonies, also occupied the
platform, and the venerable sage Of
Chsse's Mills, Hon. Scion Chase, was
induced after considerable urging to go
up and take a seat with the dignitaries.
Thos. S. Brigham, Esq, sn old
schoolmate and friend Of the distin-
guished guest. introduced Secretary
Long In q few appropriate and we'll
chosen words, assuring the Secretary
that the people Of his native town had
watched and appreciated his distin-
guished career and were giving him this
reception IS slight token Of their APP
probation.
In response the Secretary arose and
stepped 10 the front Of the platform
where he Was greeted with such rounds
OF applause that IL was several moments
before he could speak. When the APP
plsuse subsidized the Secretary spoke for
about twenty minutes In very pleasing
words and manner. The following brief
abstract Is OF course but small part Of
hat ha IA I'D 4, % an rt>ae
giving only the most general idea OF his
The Secretary said In sub
know Of nothing more gratifying
than 10 come back to the scenes Of nv
ooyhood in msturer life and receive this
cordial welcome from my old neighbors,
and friends. | assure you
hat, having bought home here, still
claim TO be a citizen Of Buckfield. am
sure that this cordial demonstration IL
DOT intended for me entirely but Is only
an outburst OF the great patriotic spirit
II the American people. You sire here,
presume, 10 express your appreciation
~ the work OF the United States Navy,
It the head Of which | happen 10 be just
II this time. | want 10 say that believe
Is high standard and reputation for
ysllsntry made la the war Of 1912 and In
he war Of 1861 10 IS has been sustained
md advanced In the war OF lS9s. Its
standard has been carried forward. /
.hink II may be said that the success OF
he American Navy Is almost unprec-
,dented In the history Of the world. II
s the triumph OF American institutions
md American patriotism. Ii Is what
rou az Americans have made IL. Better
men never trod deck than those Of Dewey
1t Manila and those OF Sampson at
Santiago; better officers never COM
handed ships, nor would | neglect TO
give credit TO the men in the bureaus
through whom the supplies went forward
md whose work was important and well
performed for In all the branches from
he equipment TO the end there Was no
hitch, no hesitation, no failure in any
hing connected with the naval depart
neut. Nor would be so unjust az to
lain credit simply for the navy.
hesitate 10 speak of our triumph
simply as the triumph OF Nh enemy over
IN enemy. The war was not inspired by
hatred nor love Of conquest, ii was
'orced upon Us by the broad spirit Of
civiliz alton which demanded
letter condition OF things.
sm glad 10 see before me the veter-
ms Of 81 who helped TO preserve this
nation, and 20 say 10 you that you pre-
served nation that was proved In this
war that IL was worthy to be preserved
When the guns Of Dewey's fleet were
fred at Msnils they undoubtedly sound
ID the opening OF new era, OF great
r. destiny for the United States. IL Is
hen your duty and mine TO uphold the
highest standards OF American honor
and American citizenship.
Ny neighbors and friends. want TO
tel you how much pleasure ii gives me
10 meet my Bucktield friends. | wss
Bucktield boy, am = Bucktield boy
still. NV heart is with you.
At the close Of Secretary Longs sd-
dress he stepped down 10 front Of the
platform where the reception committee,
II. Atwood. Esq, and Miss
Ardelia II. Prince, introduced the peo-
pie who had come 10 pay him homage,
and every body had q handshske and
almost everybody pleasant word from
the Buckfeld boy who Is now at the
head Of the United States navy, which
has so recently demonstrated to the
nations OF the earth that it is an efficient
navy and that il has an efficient man at
It's head.