Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-09-23

don't you make opportunities| The
donor of this building has made OPP
Iportunities for the people; Fairfield Is
better town to live in than it ever was
before. There is not a resident of the
town here this afternoon who will not
record the name Of his residence with
more civic pride than ever before.
III last night business place had
been destroyed, and it announced that
| it WOULD not be rebuilt if a hotel
store had been demolished not to be
replaced: If water system had failed
permanently or electric lights put out
| forever, the most of us would say, We
regret the loss; but we must get along
| the best we can But Whatever our
| ideas about religion, or whatever our
latitude toward education; if churches
Ian1 school houses had been destroyed
| last night and it was understood that
| they would not be replaced there would
be n phenomenal drop in the price Of
real estate today: citizens would be
planning to secure a foOthOld in some
other community The donor of the
Lawrence High school building has
made the town better place in which
to live.
| I'VE are familiar with that incident
of ancient history, celebrated in poetry
and art, when Cornclia, the mother of
| the Gracii. was asked to exhibit her
jewels, and she pointing to her children
said, These are my jewels | suspect
| that when Fairfield is asked to show
hcr wealth and the things she prizes
most she will point to fertile farms, to
mills and busy places OF trade, and then
| turning to the Lawrence library and
the Lawrence High school building she
| will say: These are my treasures And
yet. we must understand that this
building is only the shell that protects
| the kernel-the ornamented caskct
Imadc ready for the jewel. The school
it covers is the jewel: the educational
sy stem of which the High school is the
| climax, is a thing to be cherished de-
| Tended and improved. This magnifi-
cent building says to the town of Fair
field that her schools must be in
keeping with this structure; if we sue
coed in this, then our schools will be
second to none in the State.
| Dennis F.. Bowman, superintendent of
| the Waterville schools, spoke of the
/ Importance to the town and school syS-
| tenn having such q magnificent build
ing. The point that he wanted to en-
| phaSZc was the great lesson that could
| be learned from the life of Mr.. Law
| renee and his generous gift
| "AmeriCa" was sung in finishing the
program by all with great favor and
| feeling
! Thes music was furnished by the
pupils Of the grades and was under the
direction of Miss Fannie f. Cate, in
structor of music in the schools.
| At the conclusion of the regular pro-
Gram. Mr.. SaWell requested that all
| repair to the corridor below, for further
services not on the program We're to be
| conducted. 4 tablet had been secured
| through public subscription as a token
to Mr.. Lawrence, showing as hest they
could their thanks and appreciation
for the many blessings he had 50 gen
lcrouSly bestowed upon the town. This
feature of the program was held a
| secret. On the unwilling Mr. Lawrence
| was completely overcome and could not
| find any word to say. He felt fully re-
paid for all he had been able to do for
the town.
| p. a. Smith spoke briefly at the I'M
yelling. Mr. Smith said that the good
that mon do live after them but often
Ith" words of praise and thanks We're
withheld until they have gone. 1t was
| conceded long time ago that words of
praise and appreciation should be given
| to the generous donor of this building.
but words are at best sound and air
and only last long as the day they arc
spoken.
! We educate our children. we do not
expect any reward of gold or earthly
goods We are amply repaid and re-
| Wur(led without anticipating q reward.
| fled and repaid.
| Mr.. Lawrence, when you gave this
| building to us you did not expect any
reward. You would lie rewarded
greatly if YOU knew that the
building was properly appreciated
] by us. Therefore in order that
we might show our appreciation il.
some way more lasting than words VIC
have prepared this tablet which will
outlive the day and words. 1t will last
longer than marble and bronze. There
fore I unveil this little tablet which
SpcakeS FOR itself. as work and sign
Of our appreciation.
| Mr. Smith then read the inscription
which is:
This building is the gift Of Hon. f. j.
/ Lawrence to his native town. This
| tablet is placed here b. grateful citi-
zcns W. +. Miller. Architect. Horace
| PurintCn Company, Builders"
|