Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-09
Maine at jamestown.


a personal pride in having our State
properly represented at the jamestown
Exposition. As is well-known the plan
is to erect Maine building there which
place of Longfellow. Ukasestionably
such building, with its wealth of his
toric associations would ne one of the
show places at the Exposition. 1t
would be = veritable shrine for all
lovers Of the greatest of American
poets, and would be worth to the State
of Maine IN advertising alone-if We
were disposed TO view it from purely
commercial aspect-many times the
cost of it, construction.
Should we not, however, view this
matter in little broader way? Should
we not as citizens Of Maine feel some
measure Of pride in having our good
State represented at this great EXPOSE
ton i'll common with other New Eng
land states? Should we not each and
all take personal pride in this pro-
posed reproduction on the Exposition
grounds at jamestown of the birthplace
of this great son of Maine, who long
ago was by common consent accorded
a high place in the list of literary i'm
mortals, and whose noble life and the
rich fruits of whose labors, have re-
Elected enduring honor upon our State?
1t seems to us that every loyal citi-
zen of Maine will be disposed to return
an affirmative answer to all these
questions. Here the great poet was
reared and educated, and here he en-
tered upon that long life of literary
activity which was TO win him a world
wide fame. But not alone in his liter
airy attainmentS did Longfellow reflect
credit upon Maine. In the beauty and
purity Of his life, and in the industry
and strength IF purpose that sustained
him in the pursuit of high ideals, he left
behind him a memory fragrant with
good works that will remain for all
the youth Of this and other lands.
1t would certainly seem as if pride of
citizenship alone. even if there We're no
more substantial reason, should lead
the people of Maine to unite in support
of the project to reproduce the Long
fellow birthplace at jamestown. 1t was
tt.y- of I,t l.r
failed to grant the modest appropria-
ton of $4,000 asked for this purpose
1t was a mistake, but one that it is
still! within the power Of the people of
Maine to correct. The Exposition is
still incomplete, and reports say that
it will not be under full Roadway before
construct the reproduction of the old
LonSfellow home there, and give our
State a creditable representation il the
people Of Maine act unitedly and
promptly in the matter.
Mr.. Arthur c. Jackson, president of
the Maine commission, suggests that a
about one cent each to the people of
the State would ensure the success of
this worthy project Surely everyone
should 40 something for the cause
For every dollar contributed the COM
mission will give the subscriber a fine
phOtogra"ure portrait of LOngfellow
1870 printed on fire plate paper that
will alone be worth the money and that
will be an ornament to any home.
The trcasurers of all the cities and
towns in Maine are urged to receive
subscriptions and forward them to
w. +. Vinal Of Thomaston, the treas
urcr Of the commission and to deliver
portraits to subscribers IL is specially
hoped that Bodlds OF Trade, Wumen's
Clubs. schools. and organizations gen
orally will interest themselves in this
good work and lend a hand in push
ms it to success.
Let everyone do something, be It ever
50 little. ard the work will be accom-
plisiled. to the glory Of the State, and
the credit of its DcoDle