The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-08
REEDS TOAST.
Maine, the Land Of The Bluist
Skies, the Greenest Earth
and the Richest Air.

Portland, Nc. Aug. S--Former Speak
er Thomas p. Reed proposed new toast
TO Maine at the Old Home celebration
here yesterday. There was parade and
public exercises were held at the City
Hall. presided over by Governor Powers.
Former Senator washburn. Represen-
tatives Fletcher. OF Minnesota. and Hill,
OF Connecticut. and Governor Rollins. OF
New Hampshire, were present The lat
ter. originator of the Old Home week
idea. was the principal speaker.
Mr.. Reeds speech was as follows
'The state of Maine is not the garden
spot of America. That proud title will
some day belong to some spot i'm the arid
west. when touched by water. OF which
Maine is the most strenuous advocate.
Maine is more than garden spot for
IL is the summer paradise of all this
world No lovelier sky looks down on
man on any part OF the round earth. and
no more health giving air ever goes TO
human lungs than fills the summer breez.
es OF the Iargest-of New England states.
There are many mysteries I'm life, but
time reveals the purpose of all things.
and III the old sltippers-who used to sail
i'm and out Of the bays and inlets. wind
around the islands, and wonder why
there were so many OF them peopling the
sea upon every side--are looking down
upon the old state just now. they can sec
that, while the Almighty gave us but
three hundred miles OF seacoast. he had
so notched IL that three thousand miles
OF water front invite the cottager from
Portsmouth To Santiago. 10 come and
build the health bringing buildings which
today shine along the rock bound shore.
III 4fxtr ,ft q
hearted sons may drink In some of tho
virtues OF the sires who met with JOY and
froic I'm winter gales Tshere we now bask
I'm the summer breezes.
Maine is thought not 10 be growing
state. because she cannot keep her sons
at home. But she is growing all over
the United States. In my pilgrimages,
quadrennially and bieniaIly. from Port
land. Me, 10 Portlond, Ore, these many
years. / have found thousands who have
come To greet me, not only for the sound
doctrine which was preaching. but,m
OF ALL to talk OF the loved state from
which they had not been weaned. either
by gathered wealth or broad and fertile
lands, or even the conquest OF the pine i'm
all the regions from the Atlantic to Pu-
get Sound
maine may not have furnished great
wealth gathered from, her soil. but sne
has furnished men who have made at
least one broad belt from ocean TO ocean,
the scene of strong endeavor and OF sue
cessful and vigorous life.
Whether II is the happier lot here to-
day to be one OF the welcomers or one of
the welcomed I hardly know, for 1 am
so near to both that / have the pleasure
of all. Here il is not permitted to give
toast but IL II were I should say:
I" Here is to the State OF Maine. settled
mostly by the blood of old England. but
always preferring liberty TO ancestry: a
strong old democratic state. yet among
the first to help 10 give liberty 10 the
past
- Here Is to the State OF Maine. the
land of the blutst skies. s.the greencst earth
the richest air the strongest. and. what
is better, the sturdiest men, the fairest
and--what is best OF all--thc truest women
under the sun