The Portland daily press., 1898-02-23

ership and preservation OF old Fort IL
conderoga. The resolution was presented
by a committee composed OF Mr.. e.. p.
Burnham of Saco. Rev. j. B. Shepherd
of Portland, and Mr.. Nathan Goold of
Portland.
An amendment to the constitution, ap-
4 proved by the board of managers, 1avor-
ing the organization of local branches OF
the State society, was adopted. after some
discussion.
These three applicants were elected TO
membership:
Warren Wilson Cole, Portland, de-
scendant of Gen. Jedediah Prebie; Hen
ry Kimball Clark, Portland, descendant
of Seth Bailey of Hanover, Mass; Ar
thur Warren Whitman, Augusta, descend
ant of Col. Edmund Phinney: Paul
Phillips Goold, Portland.
Then followed lengthy discussion OF
the question of recommending to the Ma
tional Society change of name to 'Sooi-
ETY. of the American Revolution. Mr..
Talbot of Lewiston objected to the con-
tempated change, because he thought 1T
might tend to union of the Sons and
daughters of the American Revolution.
| Mr.. Drummond of Portland was not
IN favor OF instructing the Maine dele
gates to the National Congress. Rev. DR..
burrage spoke in favor of the proposition.
Rev. Mr.. Howe of Lewiston thought that
change of name would occasion oonfu-
sion in the records, publications and
certificates of the Society. Mr.. Butler of
Rockland was in favor of a change of
name.
| Finally, on motion of Mr.. King Of
Portland, the question was tabled.
| The Society voted after some discussion
to recommend change of oolors of the
official button to buff, blue and white.
Mr.. Butler of Rockland presented a
photograph of the tombstone of Gen.
Knox at Rockland.
The meeting adjourned at 10 O'Clock.
| Rather limited in attendance, but de-
lightfully social and enjoyable, was the
afternoon assemblage in Gilbert's hall.
Flags and bunting had added to the at
tractiveness of the hall, and here and
there were tables that were to figure in
the festivities at the conclusion of the
literary programme. Ladies of Elizabe h
Wadsworth chapter, Daughters of the
Revolution, comprised fully half OF the
gathering.
| Gilbert's orchestra was stationed in the
/ balcony and contributed tosthe delightful
ness of the occasion. A reception was
first held, and then settees were arranged
in the forward end of the hall and Hon.
James P. Baxter, the retiring president
of the society, called the company to order
and extended cordial welcome to the as
sembled guests. In the course of his ad-
dress, he said:
"The greatest Importance of this society
| to the nation becomes evident when we
reflect that today, in every portion of this
great country, north, south, east and
| west, the descendants of those who won
our liberties have assembled, inspired by
a common purpose. Indeed, we can hard
ly estimate the moral effect which such
body of men must exert upon the present
and future welfare OF the nation. It
makes more certain the fulfillment of
that famous prophecy of Lincoln, that q
government of the people for the people
and by the people shall never perish from
the land.
Zone thing alone casts shadow upon
the bright picture which we have been
regarding with the.eye of faith. allude
to the action of those societies who have
refused to unite for the common welfare
The reason given is an unworthy one. A
patriotic society should be as broad as
patriotism itself. To attempt to limit it
by narrow social prejudices is to limit it's
usefulness, to make it worthless, indeed,
for the purposes for which it was osten-
stbly created. We must believe that such
efforts will ultimately prove fruitless. -
General Se1den Connor was first called
upon, and he responded briefly and inter
estingly. He said he was not O descendant
from revolutionary stock, but those who
are have reason to be proud of the fact
He spoke of the hardships that America s
first soldiery endured, their lack of mill
tary training and of the obstacles they
surmounted in bringing about success
full termination of their strife. He eulo-
gized Gen. Washington and expressed ap-
proval of the aim of the Sons of the
American Revolution and kindred organ
izations to revere his memory and perpet-
uate the principles he espoused. 5
The next speaker was Judge Bonney of
Cumberland countys Superior court,
whose remarks were frequently abbrevi-
ated with applause. He believed it more
fitting to celebrate the death Of great
man than his birthday. The birthday Of
a man IL of national interest only after
he has achieved something during his
life. In some cases mans full period of
life may have expired before his fellow
men come to a realization of his great
ness. Reference was then made to the
articles on the life of George Washington
that have recently appeared in Mcclure s
magazine. An impressive feature Of those
letters was their reference to Washing
toms last days. The primitive medical