Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-23
MARK his majestic fire,

mark his majestic fire,
His temple reared by hands divine,
His soul the deity that dwelleth there
Nor is the pile unworthy of the gods"
That army that he commanded
was not what we would call an army
at this time. 1t consised of fourteen
hundred men, miserably equipped, Ill
prepared to face the enemy that was
before them, each man armed with
fewer than nine cartridges, as it
marched against the army Of Eng
land backed by it's splendid tradi-
tons and it's force beyond the sea.
They were to suffer in the battles
that were to follow at Trenton, at
Monmouth. Their blood was to
crimson the SHOWS of Valley Forge.
But under the providence of God
they were to partake of the victory
at Yorktown and America was to be-
come the Republic of this day.
l say it is eminently fitting that we
should be directed in this considera-
ton by the gentleman whom it gives
me pleasure to present to you, the
Honorable Benjamin Loring Young.
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives of Massachusetts, and am
sure he will know that our greeting
is as sincere as it is cordial, Speaker
Young.
applause, the Convention rising.)
SPEAKER YOUNG: Mr.. Presi-
dent and Gentlemen of the Conven-
ton. assure you that little did I
realize when three days ago came
to the great State of Maine for a few
days vacation from my legislative
duties, our General Court having ad
journed over the holiday, that l
would have the great privilege and
honor of meeting the members Of the
Senate and the House of Represent
atives of the State of Maine.
1 had hoped during the winter to
visit Augusta, and possibly the leg
islative bodies of the other New
England states. I feel that each
State can profit by the ways or
methods of procedure and customs
of her sister States, and it had been
my desire to come to Maine to
learn your ways, your methods,
your customs, the manner in which
you transact your legislative bust
ness. in order that might carry
message back to my colleagues,
a message that would benefit the
work and improve our methods of
procedure. did not, however,
realize that it would be my privilege
at this time to meet you, and I
must confess that come unpre-
pared for this great distinction.
My mind carries back. however.
on this great anniversary day and
year TO the centuries and years Of
the past Three anniversaries we
can celebrate here today-the birth
day of the father of the United
States. our first President; practi-
cally the centennial of the State Of
Maine, but a few months past; and
! in addition; possibly most funda-
mental of all, the three hundredth
anniversary of the landing of the
! Pilgrims. For two hundred years
Maine and Massachusetts, were one
state. All the traditions. all the
glories of the colonial period of
Maine and of Massachusetts were
of one commonwealth. Surely the
/ people of Maine will not forget the
fact that although Maine for hun
dred years has been state apart
from Massachusetts,. rejecting
greater glory on the mother by
reason of her fearless independence
and great achievements. that, the
people of Massachusetts look with
pride and interest on the careers of
the men of Maine. second only In
their interest to the achievements
of the men of their own State, and
the. names of Fessenden, HaIniin.
/ Dingley. Blaine. Morrill,. Hale and
Frye are household words in the
homes Of Massachusetts,. because
the people of Massachusetts, real
ize that New England is q unit; and
more and more / feel that all the
people of New England are begin
ming to appreciate the fact that
our States here in the northcaatern
(confinued on Page 8-col. 81