Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-24
Mayor Leighton of Portland.

~ graduate of the Portland Higl
school, a resident of this city for sew
erai years in the past with summe
home amid the islands of Casco bay
in the present, it certainly is fitting
that Portland should join with Souti
Portland i'll extending a welcome t.
Commander Peary on his triumphal re
turn at this time from his Arctic work
said Judge Reynolds.
'"rhe citizens Of this city are ex
ultant tonight with a joy and pride
of which / must not speak, since this
is the task and pleasure which falls
to the lot of Portlands mayor, mar
who resembles our guest in that h,
does things.
"iIe is commissioned by her citizens
to welcome you Commander Peary t.
this city as her citizens have already
welcomed you to their hearts.
Il now introduce His Honor Mayor
Leighton of Portland"
Mayor Leighton said in part:
THE sister cities Of Casco bay are
higAly honored tonight by the privi-
lege of barquetting and entertaining
their former son who has crowned
career of rld-famed endeavor by the
planting of the Stars and Stripes al
the very top of the earth, which fol
three centuries had baffied the hopes,
ent rgies. and endurance of civilized
mel who sought to reach it.
ut is fitting that here should be his
first real reception in mis- native land
since his return from the pole, foi
here he passed the formulative perioc
,>T hi hru
dence of that natural love of venture
which has been the basis of his per
sistent Arctic undertakings. With 10
cal pride we have watched his career
kept in touch with his achievement
and cherished the belief that he would
some day reach the great goal of his
endcavor.
"When he sailed from this harbor,
four summers ago, in his bull,
ship equipped with machinery of Port,
lard design. we had a strong hope that
the pole would, forthwith, succum,
to his tireless quest. That hope was
renewed when he returned from the
Rousevelt's maiden voyage with the
tidings that. though the great object
of the trip had not been accomplished
it's gallant commander had pierced
the icy vastness to a point farther
north than had white mar ever before
set foot.
"IIc came back to us from that trip,
not discouraged, but quickened by the
partial achievement, and when he told
| us that he was firm in the belief tina,
another trial would, under favorable
| conditions as to weather and ice pack.
| bring the much-coveted prize, we all
| not only admired his pluck and cour-
age, but had faith in his ability to
achieve his great purpose.
so when the news was flashed b.
| wireless this month that Peary had
| reached the pole and had nailed the
| American flag there we were not over
| whelmed with surprise. Our belief in
hin: had been SO deep-rooted that we
almost knew he would some day,
reach tho pole and his brief message
of victory was but a confirmation OF
our faith.
'In these days of pretension and I'M
certainty 1t is satisfaction to US
dwellers in the home of his boyhood,
to note that throughout the civilized
world there came no expression OF
doubt, no question of his veracity.
I'VE Portlanders, too, have greatly
admired the devotion and loyalty OF
Mrs. Peary to the great object of her
husbands ambition. AS in the days
of battle ito small share of the, sacr,-