The Portland daily press., 1869-09-02
OF "A TON
DELIVERED BY
REV. GEORGE W. BlCKNELL,
Chaplain of the 9Th Maine Regiment Association

We publish below portion of the eloquent
Grafton delivered before the 9Th Maine Regi
ment Association on the occasion of their
second annual reunion, on Thursday last, at
the "Kirkwood." We regret that our space
will not allow US to publish it in full, as it
contains advice valuable to every late soldier
OR sailor, and is of interest to the public gen.
orally, as denoting the feelings of a true sol-
der: ..-f -..iu'-
Mr., PRESIDENT, COMRADES AND LADIES !:
Standing before you to-day by the appoint
ment OF the committee of this Association, to
hold friendly talk with you which shall in
yolye some reflections upon the past, and pos
slbly some counsel upon the future, am not
insensible to the honor and to the compli-
ment paid and conferred upon me. There is
deep significance in our present assembling,
which fills my mind with peculiar emotions
as enter upon the part assigned me for the
second annual gathering of the 5th Maine
Association. see before me members of a
noble body, caught from fierce burning con-
fiict-permitted a little longer earth existence,
come to reflect upon the past and the pres
ent-to exchange friendly feelings and ex-
pressions, and to weave even stronger the tie
which binds men together, who have faced
death in a thousand forms, supported by each
other. As look around me, my mind turns
upon the pivot Of retrospection, and before its
vision rises many of those fearful scenes in
which bravery has fallen before the onslaught
of the foe, where Liberty nobly struggled for a
life, and where patriotism and noble loyalty
we're freely offered upon the alter of a torn
and bleeding country. Aah-
need not attempt to pass in review the
scenes which passed in rapid succession from
that moment to the hour when the electric
current, sweeping over the pulse of nations
invention, announced to the world the vcto-
ry of the right, and the surrender of Gen.
Lee to the modest man, wearing with equal
grace the honors of the battle field and the
plaudits and suffrages of a grateful and noble
hearted people. In those scenes-from the
opening anthem of musketry and cannonad-
ing at Bull Run, to the cashing requiem of
departed would be greatness, you, my noble
conn AIDES, were active and jealous partici-
pants. The luxuries of home, the comforts
OF retirement, the excitements of the busy
world, the joys of society, the avenues to gain,
the havens of rest within the bosoms OF loving
famil;es,-these were all sacrificed with will
ingness which might call forth Rars of JOY
from the eyes of angels, that, by your works
and presence, the nobility of your country
might be maintained. To some of your hands,
in many instances, little ones clung with an
affection which touched the deepest emotions
within your souls, as you turned to take last,
long look upon their innocent, love-stamped
features for months, perhaps years. Brave
wives, with their eyes swimming in tears, not
only of sorrow at separation, but also of pride
in the display of nobility upon the part OF
those who held their very hearts, as it were,
in their hands, with a look of love and OF sup
port, sent you forward upon the noblest er-
rand it is possible for one to accomplish for his
country. Fathers bid their sons on to the con-
flict of right, even offering up if needs be, their
first and their latest born, for their country's
good; while fathers, forcing back the natural
emotions of their hearts with power which
no pen can describe, but must be experienced
in order to be understood, bid their loved
ones, even those upon whom they had long
looked as the stay Of their declining years.
face unfinchinely their duty ;.and, with their
blessing sent them forth to conquer or to die.
Noble men, noble women, who could give up
their all, the objects Of their best affections to
the conflict between right and wrong. Heav-
ems roll of honor bears their names, all re-
corded in letters Of gold; and against each
stands written the reward which the angel of
nobility directs as worthy.
To the conflict, my brothers, you went.
Upon your your records TO man, stands in
bold letters s-faithfulness- - -honor-loyalty-
and an honorable and well earned discharge.
Through the entire service you have not
stain; but the hopes which were kindled,
when such men as you went forth to battle
for your country, that honor would accompa-
ny your foOtsteps-are to-day burning and
glowing upon the altars of human hearts
sending forth upon every ray of their radi-
ance, the bright light of realization. You
left all-not to gain eonqueror's name-nor
vet to receive or wear the plaudits OF CRATE
| full people, nor yet to cover yourselves with
honor simply: but to consummate duty
which YOU felt rested upon you. Rebels mis-
| siles a we'd you not-the foe struck no terror
IN vour hearts: YOU only knew one thing
saw hut one thing-your duty and your .tag.
| And now upon your conscences and upon
vour memories hang the records, ever fresh.
ever green, even though the eye Of the world
may not see them-that knowing that duty,
youIabored, and having labored you are to-
day enjoying sweet peace in the sunlight
which your own faithfulness has brought
| around you. ....s. - ota
Let the living speak for themselves. Even
amidst our joyous reunion we cannot-me
| must not forget the falen-the nooe men
who offered up their precious lives as sacan iI-
| fee demanded by their country. we miss
| them TODAY. Voices familiar to our ears IN
days cone by, hushed now forever in the ST.
| Ient tomb-comrades called from duty on
earth 10 duty in Heaven. Absent though
thew NAV he from our sight, yet may they not
| cmster above and around, breathing their