The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-30
a Notable Gathering at the Portland
Club.
Mr.. Thomas's interest
ing Address.
He Tells the Story OF New Sweden
to Appreciative Audience.

A complimentary banquet was rendered
last evening by the Portland club to Hon.
william w. Thomas, United States min
lister to Sweden. 1t was u most pleasant
occasion. Besides MIR. Thomas the other
guests were Congressman Allen, Presi-
dent Virgin of the Lincoln club, Mayor
Reynolds of South Portland, ex-Mayor
Randall and Capt. John bennett of the
United States revenue cutter Woodbury..
At few minutes before o clock the
banquet was served. Previous to this
reception was served in the upper rooms
SO that all those present had the oppor-
tunity of meeting Mr.. Thomas, who has
for SO many years ably represented the
United States in Sweden. Minister
Thomas is having short leave of absence
from his official duties and returns to
Sweden early next week.
MIR. Fred King had charge of the ar
rangements and the dinner was served
under the direction of Caterer Pooler in
his best style. There was liberal dis
play of flowers and distinguished gath
ering. The reception committee was COM
posed of Messrs 4. p. Staples, William
NJ. Marks, John H. Pierce, DIR. Herbert
+. Twitchell and W. ii. Dow. Placed on
each menu was Mckinley button,
: which was fine likeness of the chief
magistrate. A large Photograph of Cover
nor Roosevelt, which has been recently
placed in the reception room, attracted
much attention
After the cigars had been lighted Presi-
dent Zenas Thompson raped for order
and after few brief and happy remarks
introduced Mr.. Thomas. 1T is our pleas
ure and privilege said President
Thompson, Ito extend the courtesy of
this club and hearty welcome to the
honored son of Portland, one to the
manor born, one who has received from
his government the honorable position OF
minister to Sweden and who has faith
fully performed the duties of that office.
He has won for himself the personal es-
TEEN and friendship of the sovereign of
that nation to which he is the accredited
minister. You all know Of the founding
of New Sweden in this state. The wilder
ness Of that section has given place to
pleasant homes and thrifty community
has grown up. 1t is my pleasure, MIR.
Minister, to give you hearty welcome to
this club, and now have the pleasure of
introducing to you, gentlemen of the
club, Hon. William W. Thomas"
On rising to begin his address Mr..
Thomas was accorded the warmest kind
of greeting. Mr.. Thomas spoke as fol-
lows II thank you from my heart Nj.
President for the kindly greeting and you
gentlemen, for your hospitable welcome.
l deem it great honor that l should be
thus greeted by gentlemen who have the
standing that quo have in the good city
of Portland and better city does not
exist on Gods green earth. Applause.
II was down in the woods in the
northern part of the state last Monday. 1t
WASH t my first visit there for l saw the
spot $50 years ago and have been there
several times since. Thirty years ago that
spot was bowling wilderness and If one
climbed the mountains he would see one
unbroken forest stretching miles and
miles as far as the eye could reach,
forest in which the sound of the settlers
ak was never heard, a forest above whose
treetops the smoke of the log cabin never
sircled and in which roamed the moose,
the deer, and in which prowled the bear
and where at night time could be heard
the hooting of the Arctic owl. How great
the contrast now. There today may be
seen miles upon miles of rolling fields,
pleasant homes with substantial houses
and cosy cottages fields green with grow
ing crops, large herds of cattle in the
pastures and here and there u school
house. There the spires OF churches point
havenward above the tree tops and the
sound Of the church going bell resounds
through the aisles of the forests This
great change has been wrought, not by MS
gentlemen, but by foreigners, by people
speaking a language other than our own.
II thought gentlemen, as this Is a social
rs well rs political club, thatasI could
speak to you of nothing that would be
more entertaining or instructive than the
causes which led up to the founding of
our colony of New Sweden, for 1t is our
colony. You will excuse me If am a
little egotistical because 1 am now back
in the dear old town where everyone
knows me as Bin Thomas, and If
have little to say about Bill I am
sure you will forg i've me, (Applause.)
lit was away back some IS years ago
when was appointed one of our war
oonsuis to Sweden by that great man
whom it was great boon to me to know
personally, Abraham Lincoln. Zap
plause In Sweden made 1t my busi-
ness to become familiar with tine language
of the people, their customs and the pro-
ducts Of the country, and all, that con-
cerned them. learned to admire them as
an honest, economical, Go3fsarins. gen.
erous, jolly people. The fellows were all
gallant, the girls were good looking and