The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-09-04

oOiiily "ClS oCSulCO, dAu LuC SClOOlS VI
this town were not surpassed by any of
its neiShbors. Having the home and the
school, next came the idea of common
place Tor religious worship. The Swan
vile Westinghouse association was form
ed in 1856; and, after the most arduous
labors on the part of it's members; this
church was erected in 1860 and stands
i today monument to their zeal and Sacri-
flee. The town then had those three
great bulwarks of the Nation, Home,
! School and Church, and no better testi-
mony can be given of the efficacy of
| those three institutions than the charac-
I ter of the men and women whom this
| town has sent forth into other fields and
OF whom she may Justly be proud 1t is
undenlable evidence that these pioneers
bullded we'll The hospitality of the citi-
zens of this town was proverbial and no
man need ask here like the lawyer of old,
who Is my neighbour"
The early plantation and town meetings
were held at private houses and later at
the Schoolkouses in the various districts
until 1912 when the townhouse was built
at what was known as the Corner
This building has been enlarged in more
recent years until we have the present
commodlous building.
Always in the forefront in everything
| that made for progress, the record of the
soldiers and sailors who in all its wars
have responded to their country's call in
defence of the flag form a glorious page
in its history and not only in the hi tory
OF the town but of the State and nation
as well. The many flags which dot the
various cemeteries stand mute testimony
OF those who were willing to risk all that
tb.a,, -
has grave problems to face, one of which
is the Kaiser SoWn seed of unrest and
anarchy commonly called "Bolshevism"
which is SO prevalent in our large cities.
AS those great cities have always drawn
their life blood from the rural communi-
ties, may you here, where you are able to
breathe the pure air of freedom, keeping
the faith of the fathers be able to build
that strength of character and intensity
of purpose which will enable US to sue
cessfully cope with that disease so that
the Hun may never realize his dream of
world dominion.
We meet here today to celebrate the
Tooth anniversary of the birth of this
town. We feel that all the noble souls
OF that time and the intervening years
are present with US in spirit and we can
tlguratively extend to them the right
hand of fellowship and thank them for
the labors which they performed here so
nobly and SO we'll Knowing that the
memory and inspiration is heritage
which never can be taken from u.s.
1t is good for US when we gain an emf
nence to which an occasion of this kind
brings US to pause and look back in retro
spect over our progress, not with the
idea of turning back but to renew our
courage to face the future more nobly
and press on more valiantly. 1t is al
ways the fond hope of the father and
mother to secure greater advantages for
their children than they themselves had,
and as we look back over those years we
fully realize that we possess ADVANTAGES
today which the widest dreams of our
fathers could not picture, AS the broad
river sweeping on to the sea gathers It's
strength from some tiny spring on yon-
der hillside and the streams which flow
into 1t by the way, so may we today look
back to our humble beginnings and the
source of our strength not as idle dream
ers but to gather inspiration to face the
grave problems of the future with re-
newed courage. Knowing as / have said
before that this is something that never
can be taken from US.
OonetlmeS IN fancy 1 paint picture
having for its ckground these rock
ribbed hills with the placid lake at their
base, in one corner this church in which
we are gathered, with the cemetery close
at hand. where rest all that is mortal of
many who have made this centennial
possible, in the center the beautiful viii
iage surrounded by fruitful farms with
the quiet river winding its way to the
sea, in front the Goddess of Liberty
bearing aloft torch to light the way to
progress, all set in frame of purest gold
and draped with the American flag en-
blem of our country's freedom. This
picture mark Dear Old Swanville. "
o, home of my childhood! o, dear little
town!
Kind Nature with prodigal hand
Hath showered upon thee her beauties SO
rare,
Of water, of sky, and of land.
Thy broad crystal lake and thy purple
crowned hills,
Thy river of silvery sheen
Which winds like a ribbon all cleaning
and bright
Through meadows 50 frag rant and green.
Many loved ones so tender, so brave and
SO true