Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-17

ing without shelter IN the frosty nlShts oi
autumn and winter. then, again perform
ing their duties during tho severcst heat
of summer, through dry and barren
country, after suffering from thirst, being
env clopcd from morning till night by a
continuous cloud of dust rising from be-
meath the steady tread of the advancing
throng. We should also follow them to
the bivouack and battle field, where the
soldiers true manhood is TO be developed {;
there we should find them preparing for
the conflict, or actually face to face with
the foe. Just before the battle" has
been the theme OF Poets, who have
wonderfully portrayed the soldiers feeling
at that time.
What grand spectacle our armies
presented 10 the world during the re-.
bellion. From the great Northwest, from
New England, from the Middle and
Border States. brave men came. all In
dueed by the same principle to fight for
the pcrpetuity OF the institutions that had
como down to us from the fathers. An
open Bible free schools and free churches,
were some OF the principles on trial.
Could free republic survive, was tho
problem we were working out. To-day,
thank God, we feel we may answer in the
affirmative. But we survive ut n terrible
cost of some of the best blood OF the land.
War can never be placed before those
who have not been personal participants,
in any thing like n reality. You may
know Of the Hospital where wounds aud
disease are carrying off hundreds daily;
YOU may be cognizant of disabled forms.
and empty sleeves, but the scenes OF
deadly strife that transpired in battle, can
not be truly pictured TO You. The soldier
oshe lies down TO res. OH the eve oi battle,
realizing that the rcveille Of the following
morning shall call him to the fearful
charge, has thoughts and feelings known
only 70 those who have experienced them.
Thoughts ol home and loved ones far
away, steal over his mind, and no matter
how brave Inc may be, or how many the
engagements in which he may have
participated, the question "What shall be
my fate on the morrow" will press itself
home 10 his mind but, like the true
soldier he murmurs not, but resolves to
meet that fate manfully and stand like the
brave. Morning dawns over the field.
and the booming cannon calls him TO
action; the advance is sounded, and
beneath the smoke and din OF battle,
across the field the charge is made toward
the enemy's lines; but just before they
arc reached, our hero goes down, fatally
struck by messenger Of death, and falls
bleeding and dying to the ground. All
the memories OF the past come in VIVID
recollection to his mind. He hears the
Kissing bullet and scrcaching she'll rs they
are sped over him on their crrands OF
death; lie also catches the sound OF the
welcome cheer from his comrades rs they
seize the enemy's works, aud III his dy wing
moments he enjoys the victory. But his
eye grows dim, and the noise OF battle
strikes his ear fainter and fainter now, for
his life blood is fast oozing away, and in
his expiring moment. he wonders it those
he is leaving behnd-his wife and little
ones. are to be protected when he is no
more.
This leads me TO speak of those we
have among US who were the greatest
losers by the war. | allude to the
widows and orphans OF these fallen ones.
While we honor the graves of the hus-
bands and fathers in this appropriate way,
we only turn ii to mockery if we forget
their widows and orphans. In this dlres-
ton, (and blush to say it, many failures
might be cited. How many widows OF
fallen soldiers are laboring beyond their
strength TO furnish food and clothing for
themselves and their children. Toiling
from morn ill night, weary, lonely and
sad after feeling they have been entirely
forgotten. The general Government
reaches out its hand with a pension,
which, in the case OF many families, is
but trifle towards their support. 1t is
home interest | would seek to revive.
Every city. town and village, has its own
widows and orphans to be cared for. 1t
seems almost shame that necessity
should exist for one on any occasion in
this country to state what we do Today !;
but, since we meet to pay our respects TO
fallen comrades who can no longer plead
for their own, let the recolections Of their
dying appeals, prompt us to do our whole
duty without regard to favor or affection.
He, among you, who calls to mind the
moment when he bent over the expiring
form of some brother soldier, will re-
member how earnestly he plead for the
promise that his loved ones should bo
kindly remembered and protected. No
soldier probably ever expired upon the
field of battle, if he had his senses and an
opportunity, without making an appeal
10 the one who stood over him, that
mother, child, wife or sister, should be
protected Oh my country men, can we
so soon forget all this? Do you tell me
you are not aware of any destitution in
this direction; then read the official
records of your own State for the past few