The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-10
Large Gathering Of Former Citizens
Of Old Town.
Address By Elk Gov
ernor Robbie.
Speeches BY Other Citizens And
Good Music.

Old Home Day was very successfully
celebrated in the pleasant town of Cor
ham yesterday. Large crowds of people
were In attendance, many old residents
from different parts of the state, New
England and even from more distant
points, gathering to once more look upon
early scenes and to greet friends OF many
years ago. 10 add to all OF the extensive
preparations which had been made for
the occasion, the weather was we'll nigh
perfect. The exercises and the reception
took place at the fair grounds in Nara
gansett park. When the meeting was
called to order at TWO o'clock by Ex-Gov.
Robe there were about one thousand per-
ms on the grounds.
At six O'Clock in the morning the bells
of the Congr egationaI and Methodist
churches and of the academy were rung.
Statutes were also fired by William II.
Lombard, Jr., in the morning and upon
the arrivals of the trains from Portland
throughout the day. Dinner was served
at the hall on the grounds at noon and
this part of the day was also spent in re-
newing old acquaintance.
The exercises were held on the grand
stand opposite the race track. Chandeliers
band of Portland played IN its usual ex-
cellent style, Ex-Governor Rob1e pre-
sided and after music by the band called
upon Rev. William eastman, the pastor
OF the Methodist church to offer prayer.
10 the music of the band the people
then sang "Auld Lang Syne,'' with fine
effect.
The Governor, who, was the presi-
dent of the day, then stepped forward
and delivered the Introductory address of
welcome. He spoke as follows:
EX- GOV. ROBES SPEECH.
On an onccasion like this it is not ex-
pected that any person will make a long
speech, for the time is limited and we
desire to hear from the largest possible /
number Of our fellOW-c1tiZens and in
V1ted guests. 1t behooves me, as presid-
ing officer of this large and representa-
tive gathering, to SET you a good ex-
ample, and therefore l shall be brief in
my remarks. l feel highly hOnoTed at
being called upon to preside over the sons
and daughters of Old -Gorham during
their fist celebration of "Old Home
Week, and with your assistance L shall
try to perform my duty in an acceptable
manner.
1t should be a cause of thankfuIness
and rejoicing to US all that on this beau
itful ninth of August, in the year 1900, so
many of the natives and residents Of Cor
ham are privileged to assemble on the
sacred soil of our town to exchange salu-
tatiOn and kindly greeting at SO apprOpri-
ate place as this dedicated to the inter-
ests Of agriculture which has been from
the first the chief vocation of our people.
We recognize the peculiar fitness of this
period that has been set apart by the
common consent Of the citizens Of Maine
for renewing old friendships and recall
ling old and sacred memories and thrill
ling Incidents; and we trust that here
after at proper intervals this gathering
Will be repeated.
One of the principal objects of this oc-
casion is to bring back to their birth
place and early home those natives of
Old Gorham who have wandered away
from their ancestral fields to assume 9th
or duties and responsibilities We have
cordially invited them back, that they
may once again breathe the inVigOrating
air of their native hills; recall that
beautiful and familiar panorama of
wood, valley and cultivated fields; re-
alize the progress that has been made
during their absence, along the lines on
which our town has steadily advance in
its march of one hundred and sixty
years; and receive therefrOm an inspira-
tion such as can come from no spot save
that which gave US birth, the nome of
father and mother, of brothers and sis
tiers. Yes, this is our own home Here
we were born, and here we have lived in
the fellowship of our dearest earthly
friends, many Of whom have passed to a
higher and better home after completing
lives of honor and usefulneS S.
70 the faithful natives of GOrham who
have returned from their present homes
in response to our invitation, and to our
own citizens who honor this occasion
with their presence, [ extend a most cor
dial welcome. There is no place SO dear
or sweet as the place where we were born.
A halo OF endeariDg memories surrounds
the locality in which our bOyhOOd days
were spent, the place where we received
our early training from faithful parents
the place from which we started with
other children for the district school. We
can never forget the ancient Well-sWsep
which we passed; the old Oaken bucket
which hung SO long in the well; the run
ming brook; the high shade trees; the big
rock which has WithstOOd the storms of
centuries; the old sleeping room of our
earliest boyhOod. where we have often
welcomed the Ilrst appearance OF the
morning sun, which greeted US so warm |
ly in early life and called us to the du
ties OF new day; the opening in the
woods through which we have seen the !
same glorious orb, as it went down in |
the western sky, casting a golden glory
across the landscape. We gladly recall !
these glowing visions Of our early days. |
spent in the society of dear parents and |
brothers and sisters. This is one of the |
purpose of s'phe Old Home Week. - NAV
we appreciate its value, and drink our |
fill from it's never failing we'll OF precious
memories
Among the things that have contribut-
ed most strongly to make the New Eng |
land nome what it is are the church and
the school house. 1t is to their influence
in the past that the present high stand. |