The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-04

istence, to keep faith with our fathers. 10 nn
dicate the ideas on which the Nation vas founu
ed, and which we believe are yet to work Gu
for it high destiny And in this view we ar,
disposed to be neither vindictive nor ex acting
But we do demand that the States lately in re-
Deliion shall concede 10 the loyal spirit OF the
iand the guarantees essential to our future saie
as Union. Less than that we cannot ask
"siIsnoutuanger WI and dishonor. Whether we shall
ash more or not depends ON the spirit in which
we are met. The Constitutional Amendment
| TSe.eu T 10 the people at the last session Of
congress mas been received at the Executive
- poa snehl, and 1t will become my duty to lay
IL before you Imperfect as this was. ss haz-
arding one of the very fruits of onr victory by
placing IL IN the power OF the South 10 ifatro o.
duce into the Constitution disability fonnded
on race and color, still as it was the hest Wis
uoin W oi our representatives in Congress, and
at least step In the right direction. az the
same time that it smoothed the way for the re.
turning South, and especially as it was tho de-
ciaIed issue in the recent elections, good faith
doubtless requires us to support it. If we ara
willing to ratify this and abide by itit will sure
ly testify our eonciliatory disposition. Tbs
amendment, however, seems to be received with
marked disiavor by majority of the Southern
States, and as a measure of policy towards
those States, may yet fail Be it SO. If our
magnanimity was too great premature the
South will have saved us the trouble OF reced-
ing. By their rejection of it the question will
again become an open one. Our next proposal
will not be less regardful of the rights OF hu-
manity
Nor need we be greatly distressed If all the
fruits OF this struggle be not speedily gathered.
Ii the complete settlement OF these questions
Is long delayed, 1t will doubtless be tor some
aeeP reason, as were our checks and revorses
IN the early stages of the war. We shall thus
De forced to make thorough work of our recon-
struction, and establish ourselves on tounda-
tions that will stand. Let not the South grow
desperate that they are held for a time in that
abnormal position in which they placed them
selves, nor let us be too greedy to grasp for un-
timely fruits, aud thus fail of the riper ones-
The settlement of such momentuous issues
may well demand the kindly influences of
time.
Loyalty in this State will take no backward
step. 1t can wait, but will not yield. II will
assure itself OF victory SO that it may be safe to
show magnanimity. SO far as you have power,
You will not permit the issues practically set
tied by the war to slip back into state of doubt
or question, nor that in this delivered county
manhood shall ever again be denied to man.
1t is to be regretted that the usage OF the
State does not require an address OF the retlr-
ing Executive, traught as such a document
would be with the lessons of experience and
the suggestions of wisdom. 1t will only be ex-
pected Of me,ientering field so different from
those in which have hitherto been engaged,
and with little opportunity in an official capac-
ity to acquaint myself with the working of
many of our institutions to present such gem
eral considerations upon the condition Of the
State as knowledge oil her resources, a pride in
her high record, deep faith in her future toeeth-
or with the opportunity of judging her ffom
distance in comparison with Others, may sug-
gest as suitable TO the occasion.
MILITARY HISTORY.
For full statement of our military affairs 1
have the pleasure of referring you to the ad-
mirable Report now in preparation by the Ad-
jutant General, to whose fidekty and untiring
Sfafa anHf fb1.a trx., tlxs
debted. This work will be i'll itself one OF the
most worthy Monuments to the soldiers OF the
State.
The organizations from this State remaining
in the service at the beginning OF the last year,
have all been mustered out, viz; the 9Th, l1th,
18th, 10th, 1J,h regiments, and the Ist ana Izrn
Battaiions of 1nE,ntry. The services o. these
troops were required for longer or shorter
lille after the lIiies We're generaaiy dIsbanaed
but we can now look back on our military histo-
ry in the war OF the rebellion as complete.
may be allowed to say that this record is one of
which Maine has reason to be proud. Other
States may have given " history more briiaint
Names but Tor tue substantial, effective duties
of the war on land and sea, she may challenge
comparison with any. 1t is not for me, here ut
least, to recount her deeds or unroll the record
of her fame. The merest statistics Will tell
with what spirit the State responded TO the
country's call. The table OF casualties will show
tnat the men reached the post OF danger. But
courage, the heroic devotion which marked
their career.
the wno.e number of men Maine was called
upon to furnish Ior the war was. according TO
lhe last statements tiom the War Department
1896 The number furnished, as appears by
che Adjutant Generals records, was 7204o,
showing an excess Of $50 over the requirements
OF the calls. The discrepancy is PROBABLY to lie
accounted for by the varying figures of the
War Department in the mater OF calls and
credits. These Were distributed as follows: In
land service, whites 6,066, colorea 1l5; IN the
navy, 1854. OF these the re-enhstments were
3A00, and the number VINO paid Communication
Were 2OuO; leaving % $40 as the number or lnen
who actually bore arms and went forth to meet
their countrys foes. OF the lives thus offered
800 met their tate on the field, and 5592 were
swept or worn away by the hardships and ex.
posures of campaigns. A total OF S7J2.
As for the number tf wounded it Is impossi-
BILE ut present To give an accurate estimate
The ratio ofcomputation is usually five wound
ed to one killed III action. This would give H.
100 as the number whose wounds were not NOR
tai A tolerably correct estimate of the num-
Der disabled by wounds or sickness may be
made by the report of those discharged, Drop
ped from the rolls, or transferred to the Inval-
I'd Corps. The number of Maine troops en-
braced in this class is II ,309, which added to
the sum OF the dead, makes loss of Z0,lO1 of
the flower Of our youth either killed or serious
ly disabled.
These statements, striking as they must be,
do not yet comprehend all the loss and disabil-
ity we have incurred in the country's defence.
1t was found to be one of the most difficult
Things in the service to obt lin ccLraIe r.Iurns
or the condition and circumstances OF the mel.
From the nature OF the case, and seme times
from inexcusabie negligence, the officers charg-
ed with that duty, failed i'll many Instances to
give correct returns. Thus it happened that
men who were reported on the muster-out
rolls and discharges as in good health, have
reached their hemes oaly to die of wounds or
diseases contracted in the service. And how
many more who mantully resist as yet the
snarp encroachments OF disease will be forced
TO yield TO them at last, and how many will
live lives OF pain and bitterness, with the
strength of their youth broken forever, no one
can say. So it is evident that our actual loss
is not, and cannot be, shown by any and all
records. II is a moderate estimate however to
say that for our share OF sacrifice for the over
throw of the rebellion ten thousand lives have
already been given, and twenty-five thousand
of our young men are more or less disabled.
1t is for others to speak of the story written
in blood, and to say what honors shall be paid
the dead and what recognition be shown the
living. The disposition of our people in this
matter Is manifest We greet to-day in every
department OF your. government gentlemen
who are witnesses of the public appreciation
of those services which put manhood to the
test. The returned soldiers and sailors Of tn 8
State do not set themselves up as q political
party. They stand as before, with those who
stand by their country. Nor do they claim
any exclusive or undue share of public honors
or rewards. They only wish not to be forced
int) class by the jealousy of few who have
personal aims to accomplish. These 10000
| young men hold the balance of power in this
| State, and they can be trusted. The doubts of
| their loyalty which some pretend to entertain
| need not greatly distress the patriots who were
| 50 glad to trust them few Years ago. To bear
| arms in the country's cause is the highest duty
| of citizenship, and they who have rendered
| that service have come home no less citizens
| and no worse than before. They wish to be
citizens, and they only ask that no invidious
discrimination should be made against them
because they have done their duty
| 1t has been proposed to erect monument
| to commemorate the virtues of the dead, which
shall testify to coming generations our grati-
| tude to heroism. But when so many widows
| and orphans crying for bread, and so many
wounded and over-worn are lying patiently by
| hopeless of any active part in the country's
| rejoicings, 1 tor one feel that our first duty Is
to these. Our perished brave will be content
l am sure, if we show our gratitude by COM
pleting the salvation of a country rescued ut
so dear price, and cherish their memory by
living monuments of active charities institu-
| tions which in the name and through the vir-
tues of the departed, shall be a daily blessing
to the bereaved whose sufferings are also q
part of the offering made for the great cause.
| The aid granted by the last Legislature 70
the establishment of Home for the orphans
of soldiers was worthy beginning. The haste
i'm which of necessity the case was acted on
left 1t but imperfectly provided for. Othel
States have taken great interest in this mat
ter and il is one which 1 respectfully com
mend as deserving your consideration.
The distinguishing act of this State toward,
| -. haraaved and disabled citizans q, AZ. D..