Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21

congress for nearly every state in the
Union. have provided leaders in all pro-
feselons and business enterprises. yet It
is Maine as she stands today thatseem to
own the earth and appears 10 run
the universe. u Is stimulating to our
e Il ie Justice OF the supreme court.
nresideut pro tempore of the Senate,
sneaker of the House, chairman of
fine most important committees in the
National Senate and House OF Represen-
tatives, furnish the potent factors IN the
commissions which have spanked Spain
into line and is coaxing Canada into o
brotherly running mate; and we are only
Il short way from being the secretary OF
the navy. and we think the Lord we are
Il long way from being the secretary OF
war In a word, we have reached point
in our advancement where, from the PIN
nacIe of our pre-eminence, we can tickle
the toes of the angels We are modest i'll
encc OF Maine in affairs national and
international carries weight not cqualed
by any other half dozen states. There
are reasons and causes for this. growth,
wisdom, power, control. 1t Is found IN
our regard for the Sacredness OF the
home. our reverence for the church. the
work done in our schools, the influence
of our town meetings.
Eighteen hundred and ninety-three
taught us one great lesson. Eighteen
hundred and ninety-eight has taught ".
the former date and stood in the prcsessSc
of those marvels of embodied beauty
brought To us by Italy saw the exquisite
taste Of the Frenchman. the strong.
wholesome, dignified product of the Ger.
man. viewed with wonder the oriental
splendors of the Russian, we realized for
the first time that we were a nation OF
artisans and not nation of artists. We
understood as never before that certain
qualities are needed in the home and In
the school to make us one of the great
nations Of the earth We discovered
that what was good enough for us fifty
years ago Is not good enough for tins
day and the children we are training for
the future. We appreciated as never be-
fore that while II Is true that a pioneer
people can breed strong characters amid
rude and coarse surroundings, yet IA poor
people living in degrading conditions IN
an old country among cultivated people
cannot render this service. There was
enough of vitality, energy and ambition
among the pioneers to grow out OF the
station in which they found themselves,
and hew their way TO broader path.
better life and the graces and comforts
OF civilized living. They had none of the
demoraiizing. and singing influences
ed with opmlence. Men were equal. and
the desire of each WAS to help himself,
his children and others into better condi-
tons.
But a few months ago we were an iso
lated nation, living on this Western con-
tinent absorbed I'm. our own local ques-
tons struggling with issues peculiar to
ourselves. and looking forward 10 the So
luton of these problems. On tickle
April morning. ". awoke to n realizing
sense OF the fact that We had ceased TO
be a provincial and had become a cos
mopolitan nation: that instead of being Il
nation living Within narrow limits we
had become one of the great powers OF
the world, with the prospect OF having
possessions in the ends of the earth and
the islands Of the sea. Some of us may
be imperialists, and some of us anti
imperiaiists; some of MS may he eager for
expansion, and others of US opposed to
the acquisition of more territory: Senator
Hoar may sound the note of warning, and
our career; but II Is all of no avail. 1t is
our destiny to give OF our culture. indus
try. government. civilization To the be-
nighted and down trodden of the earth.
The duty is ours. The responsibility Is
upon us. We cannot wink IL out OF sight,
and we cannot shirk IL If we would. All
this dismal dole about the destruction
that Is to be visited upon us recalls day
when enhancing orators and wise states
men portrayed the calamities that would
be ours if we annexed that country
which has since been divided into those
great empires of the West They not
only told us of their worthiessness, but
they warned us of the dangers which
would come IL they were made Il part OF
the United States. Fortunately for the
world their prophecies fell on deaf ears.
and wisdom wiser than theirs gave us
what is now one of our proudest pos
sessions. has proved our safety in the
past, and is our promise of security i'll
the future.
IL we are TO ne equal To the WnEk OF the
day which is flushing the Eastern skies.
we must strengthen those things within
ns which are already strong, and put in
place of our weaknesses those virtues
which will make us fit to be the molders
OF thought, the directors of action and
the guardians Of the millennium civiliza-
ton which is upon us. Ability to help in
progress does not consist in being so far
ahead of the procession that you are out
of sight: but it does consist in being pre-
pared to lead the leaders. direct the best
thought, effort, feeling and aspiration of
the age. II is being fitted to work in the
age in which you live, Anything which
gives us better insight into the flower
that blooms by the roadside. the rock
that holds the gem with tenacious
grasp the colors which paints the skies
the taste which adorns the home. the
skill which rears comedy public buildings,
the refinement which surrounds us with
harmony and beauty. are means of grace.
He is a public benefactor who provides
permanent subjects of beauty which our
schooed and blest by. Any person or or
ganization which gives the citizens of our
state one more reason for respecting her
has done service the value of Which
cannot DE expressed in words.
No one can come into this room, look
upon these tinted walls, this glowing
ceiling. this artistic furniture and all of
these comedy appointments and not be
made to feel that we are passing from tho
artisan to the artistic stage in our expert
ence as State Works of art are means
among our blessings. l congratulate the
Legislature upon its wisdom in making
the appropriation necessary to change
this room into its present beautiful APP
pearance- l congratulate the Governor
and his Council upon the intelligence they
have shown in giving direction to the
work which has been done. ! congratu-
late the superintendent of buildings upon
the skill and ability with which he has
DISCHARGED the duties devolving upon
him. and / thank him for giving us a
State Senate chamber which will be the
pride of our people-one place to which
we can point with the assurance one feels
when he realizes that he is a part owner
in a genuine work of art.
Maine has q great future. a noble des-
tiny. 1t has been given to her to give
much to the world In the days that are
to come and the years that are before
us she is to do a nobler work. fill larg-
err place, be responsible for carrying out
grander mission than that which has
fallen to her in the past. The good day
is coming when we shall have those rare
accomplishments which will make it pos
sibe for us ito live content with small
means; to seek elegance rather than lux
ury, and refinement rather than fashion.
Then we shall be worthy not respectable
and wealthy not rich. Then we shall be
content to study hard. think quietly. talk
gently. act frankly; to bear all cheerful
~. do all bravefy. await occasions, hurry
never-in a word. to let the best, unbidden
and unconscious grow up through the
common. This I believe, is to be the