The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-02-06
Mai. Gen. Howard.

both branches assembled III cOnVentiou' AAo
made patriotic and manly address, which
was replied to, both OF which speeches we
give below:
General Howard said:
Gentlemen ofthe Legislature in Convention !:
1t was my privilege, one year ago, to make
some remarks here, at time when We were
little more gloomy than now after the battle
of Fredericksburg. Wede.ccnded a little lower
in gloom after another repulse, but since then
out Mountain, Of Chattanooga, and on my way
from Chattanooga to this place, passing through
Nashville. Louisville. Cincinnati. Philadelphia
New York, and many other intermediate places,
did not hear from the mouth Of one single In
dividual, one single disloyal sentiment. lap
plause. There is no necessity then OF saying
anything Of encouragement to the people OF
Maine. You are encouraged. The work which
we have been doing is common work, In which
we have all common interest lind thar ev-
cry Legislator Of this State is as earnest and in-
terested in the work of maintaining the integ-
rity of our Union as any officer in the army -
We have mutual interest, and 1t gives me
great pleasure to meet you and with you to con-
slider how we stand, and to take courage for
what We have yet to do. am glad to see that
the Government u ready for any emergency ;
that the nation maintains itself, not weakly, but
with strength. am glad to see that everything
looks so hopeful. am glad to see that the war
is drawing to close. am glad to see that the
flag of our nation-that flag that Is our true
emblem the flag that We loye-is already foat-
ING in every State, and believe that before the
end of this year (lS64) 1t will be acknowledged
by all the governments thereof as the repre-.
sentative Of the Government, the true Govern:
ment, the Government Of the United States, and
that the Confederate government will not De-
But vet, Il we fail Of 1t In that time. II Prov
idence in its workings will not have accom-
plished the revolution in that time, still l must
urge you, my friends, you my compatriots, to
maintain that same spirit that I plead for one
year ago, and that is, cohstancy, consfaney,
nerer icdrer.
Once in while il Is my good fortune, in the
field and elsewhere, to meet q man from New
England of the old school-a man about sixty
years of age, perhaps. When look into his
face and think of some Of our representatives
in times gone by-of such men rs Adams-men
of firmness, men of principle, men Of integrity.
| meet such men Of integrity, and l see that
when such men place the shoulder to the wheel
they will not withdraw it. When they have un.
dertaken work they will continue It say |
have confidence now that New England which
this nfernsl rebellion, will continue 1t with the
strength and constancy which we all know Is
necessary, until 1t is done. lApplause.1 And
the men Of Maine have their part to perform,
and congratulate you this morning upon hay-
Ing sent forth such noble representatives. The
regiments from Maine have done we'll they
have shown Of what blood they are, and they
will continue to do we'll. [Applause.
II was thoughtin the South, at the commence
- .l..lls all hat IN
cause we conceded, and hated fighting and war,
we could not do anything or accomplish any
thing IL we were attacked. that We would yield
and yield, and that the rebels could soon estab-
lish their government and overthrow us. But
experience has proved the very reverse, We
were rather slow to act, to get fairly enlisted,
for VIC abhorred war-and above all things, civ
II war but we were drawn into it, and sooner
than see our government destroyed-so
than see its promise forever gonc-we deter
mined that we would engage in even this, the
only means given for our protection ard
shoulder to shoulder. heart to heart, with strong
arms, we said we would do our duty to our
couutry-wc will stand firm in the midst Of cv-
cry difficulty, and endure every trial, and our
country shall be our country forever.
II Is with me cherished conviction that our
difficulties are prolonged, that the war is pro-
longed, because OF our want OF acknowledge
ment of the help that cometh from above. It
Is because we are so wealthy, so prosperous, so
strong, because we have 50 many men, 50 many
arms and so much money, that We look ut these
things aud get our confidence fixed IN these
things 1t Is because that we bring from the
other side OF the water men OF every stamp OF
character, and without having assimulated them
to our habits and to our thoughts and feelings,
without having had them brought under the
light of our education and our moral training,
because, say, that for these men and this con
ideuce we forget to look to God.
Now II gives great pleasure to me to meet the
men Of Maine, to be able to look them in the
face through their representatives here assem-.
bled, and TO say as their representative in the
field, that hope and trust that good strong
voice will 20 forth from Maine that, God help
ing us, we will preserve the Government of the
United States for the benefit of ourselves and
for the benefit Of the world [appl.u'e']
The Convention having been called to order
invited to recite apoem entitled, "Thc Man with
the Empty Sleeve"
Mr.. Barker said {: II will be remembered Mr..
President that ut the commencement Of this
struggle when for period Of six months or
more a series of sickening disasters attending
our armies led almost to the breaking Of the
Nations heart. We began to doubt God
The clouds Of practical atheism were settling
down on the nations mind and heart, when, to
vindicate Himself he came down from the hcay-
ems, and, almost In person. celebrated the 4th
Hudson. And II seems to me that this same
providence. in the recognition of New Eng
lands Christian character and Christian patri-
otism, selected as the chief instrument In that
fight Of Gettysburg the darling officer OF New
England-the Christian, the Patriot, The SOL
dier and tho Hero, Gen. Howard Of Maine
(Grcat applause followed by three cheers for
the Generally When not long after, he re-
turned to Maine, II was my good fortune to
associate with him tor some time In addressing
the people Of Maine upon national atfairs.-
some eight or ten thousand at Bangor late In
the evening; and rs he stood there speaking
that sleeve became unpinned, and waving In the
air.-Thcre was o Penobscot hoy present whose
name need not call, who sometimes INDUCES
| In poetry. That spectacle fired him up, and
almost while the General was speaking that
boy composed the lines that are called for and
which give.
You will see that the circumstances under
which they were written give them their chief
interest. II was Mt night and there was large
crowd, and he wrote them expecting to give
them after the General closed, but an alarm OF
fire having prevented. they were never given
in his presence. but found their way into the
press OF the country.
Mr.. Barker then recitcd the following poem,
which was followed by applause and another
round Of hearty cheers:
The Empty Slceve.
By DAVID BARKER.
By the moons pale light to this gazing throng,
Let me tell one talo, let me sing one songs
wis tale devoid OF an aim or plan,
'ris n simple song or q one-armed man
Till this very hour could ne'er believe