The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-08
GOVERNORS ADDRESS,


IeHtteMeR oJ We senate ant
House Of Representatives.:
At no period in the history of Maine, have
her appointed law-givers entered on the dis
charge Of their constitutional duties, under
circumstances of graver responsibility, than
those by which you are surrounded.
Approaching the termination of the third
year of the war, waged in vindication of the
authority and integrity Of the nation, in the
prosecution OF which, has been employed a
yastness OF resources, as amazing to ourselves
as incredible to the rest of mankind, the ma
uonal exigencies continue to demand further
contributions from the States and the people.
The fierce enthusiasm kindIed by the first
outrages upon the flag of our country, has
been chastened and sobered by the protraction
and yicissitndes of the conflict, but TO that
lave succeeded the settled conviction. that
for us there is no national future but in the
triumph Of the national arms, and stern re-
solve that that consummation shall be accom-
piished. You, gentleman, stand here to-day
proofs of the truth OF this declaration, AS
Maine has, in the past of this struggle, cheer
fully responded to every Invocation of patriot
ism and duty, in sending you here her people
have renewed the pledge of their fidelity to
republican institutions and the cause of civil
liberty.
The year just closed has been signalzed 10
the people of Maine by the bounteous bene-
factions which flow only from the Giver Of all
good. No desolating pestilence has scourged
us, but health has reigned through our bor-
ers. Generous haryests have rewarded the
labor of the husbandman; industry in all its
departments has received its fittinnreco
pense; no hand willing to toll has been obliged
TO remain idle for want of remunerative en-
ployment.
The tolls, the sacrifices and the achievements
IF 4 fl.a1 - AT....
of the national army, during the year 1853,
have been such as to cause the hearts of her
citizens to swell with grateful pride Upon
the fields of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennes-
see, Carolina, Louisiana, Florida and Texas,
they have participated in all the perils OF march
and battle; and whatever of advantage has
been gained to the national cause, they can
proudly claim their share Of the glory. The
price of military glory is mourning upon many
hearthstone, and among us there are many
Rachels refusing to be comforted. Ifthis war
were one OF mad ambition, glory would afford
no compensation for its manifold woes.
Deploring as does Maine, the loss of so many
of her gallant sons slain ON the field Of battle,
or perishing in hospitals, OF wounds, or of dis
ease induced by the hardships and exposures
of military life, far away from home ard kin
dred, 1t may be in prison, with no voice of af-
fection near to speak word of cheer, or fare
well to the sonl approaching the dark river.
all equally the victims Of the strife, and mar
tyrs to the holiest Of causes, their memories
will be enshrined in the hearts of her people
as the richest of her treasures SO long as patri-
otism shall be esteemed honorable among man
kind; and the mention Of their names, "in song
and in story" shall inspire heroism kindred
to that which led them to the sacrifice.
On that spot at Gettysburg, made immortal
By the successful valor OF the national arms,
and classic by the matchless eloquence OF
Everett, has been consecrated cemetery
where slumber the mortal remains of warriors,
representatives from the land of the "laughing
water" from every free State born of the i'm
mortal Ordinance of ST, from Maryland, Del
aware aud Western Virginia, from rennsyl-
vania, New Jersey and New York, and from
New England, every sister there, not one left
out. There, on Cemetery Hill, where the roar of
artillery invain assailed the ear of the peaceful
dead, then reposing beneath its surface, these
gallant heroes, having sealed with their lives
their devotion to the unity Of that country
they had sworn to defend, now sleep, and mo
sound shall awake them to glory again.
Upon the invitation of the distinguished
chief magistrate of Pennsylvania, whose happy
conception of the idea and active agency in
the affair, entitle him to our thanks, my pred
ecessor, cooperating with the Governors of
the other States represented in those terrible
battles, engaged in behalf of Maine, to contri-
butte her share of whatever expense might he
incurred in making this city OF the dead wor-
thy of its illustrious occupants Moved as our
people are by their sensiblities to do homage
to the memories of our fallen soldiers on that
spot there will cluster around it in the re-
CARDS OF the citizens of Maine, an added inter-
est arising from the fact that it was chosen and
occupied by Howard, their own modest and
tntr c0l1 fhn x..lt t<.s a..
final fortunes OF the battles of those memora-
bic days were to be staked, and which, with
his heroic troops, he held to the end of the
bloody fight The correspondence of Gov.
Curtin and the report of our Commissioner
will be duly communicated to you, and shall
unhesitatingly ask, what you will with alac-
rity grant, such an appropriation as shall meet,
to the fullest extent, all claims upon our State
for this holy purpose. And in this connection
| would recommend that provision be made
for the erection of monuments commemorative
Of the patriotism and valor OF all Of Names
fallen worthless, and that il be so ample that
the name OF the humblest private shall not be
neglected.
DISCHARGES AND ESLIsTMENTs
During the past year, ten regiments of Maine
Volunteers have been mustered ont of the
service of the United States, the terms of their
enlistment having expired.
Ofthese the Second Regiment was the FIRST
TO leave the State on the call Of the President,
in April, 1861 and has borne its part in the
battles Of the Army of the Potomac, while in
the service with distinguished gallantry under
its various commanders. The Tenth Regi-
ment largely composed Of the First Regiment
of three months men, entered the field in the
autumn Of 1861, and on numerous occasions
acquitted itself with credit. A portion of the
officers Of this regiment, since their discharge,
have been engaged in recruiting regiment OF
veteran soldiers, which is now nearly ready to
leave for the field. The other eight regiments
were made up of enlistments for nine months
only, which expired the last summer The
service of these were various. Some were not
called ON to meet the foe in battle; others par
ticipated in the severe struggles at Port Hud-
son and below, which eventuated in the OPEN
ing of the Mississippi. All did their duty
well.
There now remain In the service of the
United States, and in the field, sixteen regi-
ments and one battalion of infantry, one reg
iment and one company of cavalry, one
regiment Of heavy and six batterie. Of light
artillery, and one company of sharpshooters,
distributed from the Potomac to the Rio
Grande. The limits of this address forbid an
extended notice of the gallantry OF these va
rious corps, and anything less would do them
injustice. l can only say that their conduct
has been creditable to themselves, honorable
to their State, and some of their achievements
Of unsurpassed brilliancy, mournfully attested
by their thined ranks For a recital ofthe his
tory of these gallant men, refer you to the
elaborate report of that able and indelatigable
officer, the Adintant General of this State.
So many enllstments expiring in 1868
compelled the President of the United State