The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-02-28
Maine Sons of Revolution.


| at Riverton. Friday. The annual cleo
| ton of officers resulted as follows :
President, Horace II. Burbank, Saco ;
| senior vice president, Leslie G. Cornish,
Augusta; vice presidents, Judge Albert
X. Savage. Auburn, Chandler Z. Harvey,
Fort Fairfield, Everett B. Norton, Farm
ington, Major Charles j. House, Angus
ia, Charles G. Burrill, Ellsworth, Albert
w. Butler. Rockland, Captain james
NJ. Turkey, Newcastle, Abram W. Har
ris, Orono, Walter II. Sturtevant, Rich
mond, VIM. r. @. Estes, Skowhegan,
Eben Corey, Portland, DR.. W. j. May
bury, Saco, Col. Everard K. Newcomb,
Eastport, Hon. Joseph Williamson,
Belfast; secretary, DR.. Henry p. Bur-
rage, Portland; treasurer, Philip F.
Turner, Portland; registrar, Hon. Jo-
siah II. Drummond, Portland; librarian,
Hubbard W. Bryant, Portland; histo-
rian, Nathan Gould, Portland; chaplain,
| Rev. George M. Howe, Lewiston ;
| councillors, Hon. Warren II. Vinton,
Gray, Major Charles II. Boyd, Portland,
| Hon. Marquis r. King, Portland, Joseph
p. Thompson, Portland, Frederick
BRUNEI, Portland.
Following the interesting remarks
Symons, our readers will be pleased to
know that many present thought that
Rev. w. @. Mann, former Skowhegan
boy, made the speech of the day, al
| though having but days notice to
prepare it, he being substituted for the
previously announced speaker who was
unavoidably absent. Prefacing his
remarks with witty story which nicely
fitted the occasion, Mr.. Mann spoke of
Washington In part as follows: "NU
one ever was before, or ever can be
again, Just such man as Washington.
| The circumstances which determined
his life can never be repeated. The
| high position which he occupied has
now no steps by which it may be at.
tanned. But the materials from which
he chose to fashion his character, are
within the reach of the poorest and
humblest of our great nation.
| I'VE would not belttle the facts of
his inherited abilities, his prosperous
surroundings, his early training; but
when we put the other great man of
our nation by his side and see that
/ Lincoln lacked all of the external ad
Vantages that belonged to Washington
aud yet manifested the same nobility
of character, the same grand concep-
tions of duty and integrity, the same
overmastering love of country, the SANE
abiding confidence in the triumph OF
right, the same complete and conscious
trust in God, we recognize the fact
that greatness of life does not depend or
circumstances, but on the use of cir.
cumstances, and the choice of principal:
by which man will govern his life.
"When Washington had received his
notice of election to the presidency, hi
was old enough to know his own prin.
cipals of action. His words were 'reluc
tant in the evening of life to exchange
a peaceful abode for an ocean Of diff
lcultids, be the voyage long or short
lalthough may be deserted by all men
Integrity aud firmness shall never for.
sake me-
"These words are the incarnation OF
his national soul, and his private thought
of public life WAS always, Is 1t duty
Is it duty? This kept him with his
mother In spite of the allurements OF
the English navy. This led him his
long and dangerous journey through
the wilderdess at the solicitation OF
Gov. Dinwiddie, this and not his am.
bition placed him at the head Of the
American troops. This sustained him
in defeat and victory. This sustained
his sufferings at Valley Forge. This
was his life buoy when the pillows OF
haired and detraction dashed over hin
Threatening to submerge him in dis
lgraee and to lift another on the wave
crest of command. Seeing duty anC
lduty's crown, he beheld not tn,
treachery of former friends nor the al
lurements of a kings throne. He sue
lceeded in it all in keeping alive the
little spark of celestial fire called con
science.
"His children of the twentieth cen
Itury must be true to duty. Il owe
must be their watchword not 'tht
world owes me-. The price of nations
integrity is duty to the nation, the
state and city.
"a man may feel that the affairs OF
the state are none of his business
Washington made them his business
Hinderances, oppositions, recoilings
lack of appreciation are not powers t
put down duty. Like Antaeus, duty
rises from each overthrow with strength
renewed. 1t is vain thing to adorr
the tomb of great men, if we have
buried all their virtues with them.
"A second principal of action that
Inspired Washington, was his sense OF
the rights of others. Some one IN,
said that the degrees of comparison for
Americans are first TO get on second
10 get honor third ito get honest
Washington took the highest degree
feeling that all else was wrapped up il
1t. 1t has been said of Washington
that he was modest, dis-interested
generous, just, of clean hands and :
pure heart, self-denying and self-sacri
ficing, seeking nothing for hims, It
forgiviDg injuries and injustices, thu
to his friends, true to the whole couu
try, true to himself, fearing God"