The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-23

GovEvYoR ASpRKw's- MESSAGE. lin the
closing of his recent Message, Gov. Andrew
pays beautiful tribute to the bravery and
alor of Massachusetts, soldiers. 1t is u fit
ting theme for eloquencc. But not OF them
alone can all these words DO said. Our
Maine boys have won record second to none,
the remembrance Of whose heroic deeds is
ever fresh and enduring. 1t may be said Of
them as the great Webster said of the SOL
dicrs Of the Revolution, that, shoulder to
shoulder have they passed through these un-
wonted trials, hand IN hand they have stood
guard around the temple Of Liberty and tho
covenant Of the Constitution, aud the dead of
Names bravo soldiers now rest side by side
with those OF every other loyal State. They
have raised for themselves monument moro
enduring than brass and higher than the
lofticst pyramid, and secured for themselves
"glory that never shall fade, never, o! never
away:
But the heart swells with unwontcd emotion
when We remember our sons and brothers,
whose constant vslor has sustained on the field,
during nearly three years OF war. the cause OF
our country, of civilization, and liberty. Our
volunteers have represented Massachusetts,, dur
ing the year just ended. on almost every field
and in every department of the army where our
flag has been unfurled. At Charlottesville.
Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Fort
Wagner, at Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Chick
amauga-under Hooker, and Meade, and Banks,
and Gilmore, and Rosecrans, Burnside and
Grant,-,n every scene Of danger and Of duty,
along the Atlantic and the Gulf, on the Tennes-
see, the Cumberland. the Mississippi and the
Rio Grande.-under Dupont and Dahlgren. and
Foote, and Farragut and Porter, the sons OF
Massachusetts, have borne their part, and paid
the debt Of patriotism and valor. Ubiquitous
rs the stock they descend from, national in their
opinions and universal in their sympathies,
they have fought shoulder to shoulder with
men of oil sections and Of every extraction: On
the ocean, on the rivers, on the land, on the
heights where they Numbered down from the
clouds OF Lookout Mountain the defiance OF the
skies, they have craven with their swords rec
ord imperishable.
The Muse herself demands the lapse OF silent
years to soften, by the influence OF Time, her
too keen and poignant realization Of the scenes
of Wharf.-The pathos, the heroism, the fierce JOY,
the grief, of battle. But, during the ages to
come. she will brood over their memory. Into
the hearts other consecrated priests will breathe
the inspirations Of lofty and undying Beauty,
Sublimity and Truth. in all the glowing forms
OF speech, of literature and plastic art. BY the
homely tradition, OF the fireside-by the head
stones in the church-yard, consecrated to those
whose forms rrposc far oil in rude graves by
the Rappahannock, or sleep beneath the sea-
embalmed in the memories of succeeding gener-
atious of parents and children, the heroic dead
will live on in immortal youth. BY their names,
their character, their service, their fate, their
glory, they cannot fail:
"They never fail who die
In great cause the block may soak their gore
Their heads may sOdden In the sun, Thur limbs
Do strung to city gates aud castle walls
But still their spirit walks abroad. Though years
Elapsc and others share as dark a doom,
They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts
Which oyerpOwor all Others, and conduct
The world ut last TO fREEDoa."