The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-03
lFor the Union and JOurnal.l
The Spirit Of '76 In Kittery.

DEAR JOURNAL The fires Of patriotism in
the old town of Kittery-tho homo of Will
liam whipplc, one of the signers Of the Dec
laration of Indcpondence-burn bright as of
yore, in this sad hour of the Republic!-
Without distinction of party, men rallied at
Arlnory Hall on Saturday evening, to coun-
sci together US to their personal and collec-
tive duties to their country. Old men and
young, brothers and relatives, gray-haircd
fathers and blooming, hardy sons, assembled
to take measures for action.
The meeting was organized Us follows :
John l.. Lawrence, Esq, was chosen Chair
man, and William Emery and Howard Cults,
Esqs., Secretaries. Mr.. Lawrence opened
the meeting with speech, which in sub
stance was Us follows: that sour fathers
waged war to establish our independence,
were successful, and subsequently, established
a government which had since been the ad-
miration Of the world. We are called upon
to maintain that government against rebel
lion and threatened overthrow. How shall
we answer the call? For one, he would
stand by the government with the last drop
of his blood, and the last coin he could COM
mand. He felt sure this was the sentiment
of the town, for which he thanked God"
Stillman b. Allen, ESD, was next called
for. He said he rather preferred to hear
from the old veterans Of the last war than
to be called upon himself. The country was
in danger, and we were called upon to defend
it. lie would drop party lines, and make no
allusion to the past. He would not stop to
inquire how the trouble was brought on |;
for If your house is on fire you run to put it
out, not daily to ask who set 1t on FIRE. Let
US put out the FIRE Of rebellion, and eItin-
guish the conaagration which threatens the
Union. We must fight for our homes, our
firesides, our hearths. We must and we will
respond to the cause Of the Union. Ho who
/, against this Union is a traitor. Mr.. Al.
lens remarks were most enthusiastically re-
ceived.
Howard Cults, ESQ, then spoke. He said
the sentiment now should be, and he believed
was, like that Of John Adams, in the Conti-
mental Congrcss-"Sink or swim, live or die,
survive or PERISH" we will stand by the flag
Of the Union. Lower than plummet sound
eth, should sink all party names. The reb-
els had insulted our aag--spit uponit! Who
is not ready to make this personal matter I?
That flag, too, which Washington made sa-
cred, under which jackson led on our hosts
to victory, and which has been hallowed by
a hundred battles on land and on sca.-
Where is the blood that Of yorc lcapcd hot
ly and quickly at even the semblance OF an
insultf All! thank God 1t burns in the
veins OF the sons here tonight, whose sircs
manned the deck Of sold Ironsides" when
her scuppcrs ran with Maine and Massachu-
sets blood!
Robert +. Gerrish, Esq., wa, next called
for. lie said he was no public spcaker-like
the man Of old, he was "slow Of speech and
Of slow tongue" but no was able to say
that no was on the side Of the Constitution,
the Union, and the enforcement Of thelaws.
Hearty applause.l It was no matter how
he voted, or how any body voted; we are at
least brethren in the bonds Of the Union
and We will stand by the government, with
men, with money, and with our hearts
blood II need DO! lAPplause.l