The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-08
Letter from Virginia.
CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATION..

CULPEPER G. H., Va, June 2, 1863
To the Editor Of the Press:
The Congressional Nominating Convention
held III this place last Wednesday the 9th ul-
timo resulted in the choice of Mr.. Charles
Whittlesey of Alexandria, (editor of the State
JournaD for Congress from this (7th) Congress-
ional district. The nomination was made
unanimous and was hailed with the most en-
thusiastic cheers by the convention. Mr..
Whittlesey addressed the convention in a
choice speech which was well received. No
better champion of human rights and the great
principles of Republicansm could have been
selected for Congressional honors in this dis
trict or the State than Mr.. Charles Whittle-
sey. He was one of the first men in the State
to advocate the rights of the eolored man, and
has well merted the distinguished honor that
has been so unanimously conferred upon him.
MEMORIAL SERVICES AT cULPEPER
Last Saturday Both ultimo was set apart by
General Logan to be observed in honor of the
nations dead, who offered up their lives that
the nation might live. The day was observed
here by two ex-soldiers of the republic and the
loyal colored people of this place. At II m.
the colored school of Mrs. A. p. MacNulty (for-
merly of Searboro, Maine) were formed in twos
to the number of one hundred and with bou-
quets and wreaths of beautiful flowers pro-
ceeded in good order and with solemn pace to
the beautiful United States Cemetery. where
repose the remains of about two thousand of
the gallant defenders OF the patiOn's honor, and
there those sable loyalists with two white
United States soldiers, one of whom was ac-
companied by his wife, son, and mother, gath
cred around the staff from which fioated grace
fully and proudly the emblem OF our national
ity.
1t was day well befitting the occasion. and
all seemed to realize the tender yet sacred and
cheerful duties they were about to perform.
The ceremonies here commenced by PRAYER
from the Rev. H Blair, the colored Baptist
clergyman of this place, and was followed by
Mrs A. p. MacNulty who read beautiful
poem selected from Mrs. Browning's book. en-
titled "Poems of the Intellect and Affection. !"
the selection being "He giveth His beloved
Sleep" which was read with much feeling and
effect Captain w. A. MacNulty late of the
United States Volunteers, orator of the day.
then delivered the following appropriate ad-
dress:
Comrades and Friends,-We have assembled
here to-day TO perform a sad vet sacred and
trust cheerful duty. Sad because we mourn
with those who mourn to-day the loss of
those who sleep so well within this beautiful
enclosure. We are here to take the places of
absent friends and the loved ones of the dear
departed, therefore it should be and is a sacred
duty and l trust it will be we'll and cheerfully
performed. Let US decorate the humble
mounds of these the nations benefactors with
beautiful spring flowers which show at once
our respect and tender affection.
These brave men left home and all that was
dear to them, wife, children, father, mother.
sisters and brothers, breaking all the tender
ties of affection that bound them to home. and
went forth and did battle and died that This
nation ard its free institutions might live
Perform your duties here to-day, and by your
acts endeavor to keep green the memories of
the heroic dead, and the dear friends of these
loved and cherished ones will weep tears of
gratitude when they shall hear of your tender
care and devotion for those whose heroic deeds
have resulted in your liberation from bondage
and cruel oppression.
On the left hand side are to be found the
names of those who sleep beneath, those who
are known according to the inscription above
their heads. Their names are not only record
ed upon yonder humble board, but are also
recorded in the hearts of those who love the
cause for which they fought and died. The
names and gallant deeds of those brave men
will be brought down with enduring 1uster,
to future generations, when you and L shall
sleep within the silent tomb. And while ten
derby performing your sacred duties, remem-
Der also the unknown who lie here ON your
right All! how sad the thoughts that well
up from our hearts and almost choke our ut
terance as we think of thousands of patriots
who fill unknown graves. More than one
half that are inferred here are unknowni
No friends are here to day to call by name
those noble patriots and we fancy we hear the
poor widow and fatherless children, when ask
ed where the remains of the loved one, say
unknown, unknown" We think also of the
sadness that to-day fills the hearts of many
household throughout the North as they think
of the loved ones who fill unknown graves.
But the names of those who with patriotlc
zeal went forth to battle for the right are re-
corded not only in the archives OF thelr several
States but in the hearts of all true patriots
throughout this republic; and their names are
known. tbouoh the locality OF their graves
may not pointed out and i the memories or of
served by grateful people. Decorate their