The Portland daily press., 1898-09-06
which springs from the human soul bent

which springs from the human soul bent
upon, a noble purpose.
That is why we eulogize our firemen.
that is why we speak we'll of them. Who
can hslp 1t? 1t is their acts to which we
pay tribute, it is to their acts which speak
with more telling force than any words
of mine that we pay homage. Monuments
may multiply throughout our city Illus
trative Of the love and affection OF
grateful people, but none should OCCUPY
u loftier place in our estimation than this
monument which has been erec ted to our
firemen, and to you who have SO generous.
" erected this substantial testimonial L
will state that YOU have endeared your
selves not only to the members OF the re-
lief association and fremen in general,
but you have endeared yourselves to the
citizens Of Portland, for true friend OF
his city loves it's benefactors.
Monuments serve as admonitions OF the
present. as we'll as remem brances OF tne
past, and this monument which you nave
erected here will serve as silent though
constant reminder that we will all have
duty to perform, duty imposed oy
heaven, a duty which is the noblest and
grandest of all duties. the duty which
demands that we protect the living ana
respect the dead.
Then the Mayor of the city was called
for, and Mr.. Randall spoke briefly and
pointedly as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen--It is pleasant
duty that calls us together on this occa-
sion. We are assembled here to dedicate
with simple, but appropriate ceremo-
nies the beautiful monument erected IN
honor of the Portland fire department..
fire department acknowledged the equal
of any in the land and Of which every
citizen of Portland is proud. On the bat
tleheld at Gettysburg many beautiful
monuments bear witness to the bravery
and endurance of the soldiers engaged in
that great battle. And while this rnonu-
ment is not erected in recognition OF
deeds performed upon the battleneia II
is erected in honor of men who are often
in as great danger and deserving OF as
much praise as though they fought at
Little Round Top or forced back the ad-
yancing hosts of Pickett's charge
The duty of the fireman requires BRAY
cry, cuolness and endurance. He must
be on the alert at all hours Of the day
and night to respond TO the alarm at a
moments notice for few minutes delay
may mean uns loss OF much valuable
property and perhaps many precious hyes.
I think our people do not fully realize
how much they are indebted to the
watchful care of the fire department.
And / contend that the men that COM
pose it are worthy Of ia. Al praise. ha.of.o ~.
upon this beautiful spot we should erect
this in their honor afsndan And this this
overlooking our beautiful city shall be
y constant reminder to our citizens of the
debt they owe these brave men,.
1t is fact perhaps not generally known
that the Portland fire department stands
only second in point of efficiency among
the departments of the country. and
thanks to this high standard our losses
by fire have been very small for many
years The city government annually
makes LIBERAL appropriations for its sup
port and the fire committee are ALWAYS
ready to adopt the lntest improvements 20
assist In It's work. We are proud of its
record in the past. We are proud of It's
ument erected by the generosity of our
citizens will always stand fitting testi :
Inonial In honor of the living and in
memory OF tie dead. congratulate the
monument committee on the success that
has attended their efforts. I congratulate
them on their selection of such an appro-