Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-26
lessly the nation was being assailed, homo

lessly the nation was being assailed, homo
was no longer the place for them. All that
twas good and noble in their natures prompt
ed them to rally round the banner that had
waved over their cradles and protected them
|all their lives beneath its folds. From every
vocation in life they came, feeling that he
who would enjoy the blessings OF free gov
|ernment must be willing to fight for Its IN.
|stitutions. Nowhere in history can you md
anything to compare with the great uprising
|of the patriotic people Of this republic when
1.-The storm cloud Of rebellion burst upon them.
II have no time to follow thes through four
wears of terrible bivouacs and battle fields.
You all know how well they fought for the
common cause; and also, many of you too
|well remember how the organizations Of this
State were decimated when they returned
Many of their numbers fell upon the field of
battle, amid terrible scenes Of war, and some
3of them repose where no trace Of the spot is
known to man. Others are carefully buried
pm the national cemeteries of the country, the
)niost glorious resting place the remains of
amy soldier can possibly have. And still
others slumber here beneath the fostering
|care of the citizens Of the capital. For them
it matters not where their bedcs rest, for to-
! lay their bright spirits are marshalled on
pehovah's eternal plains, where free from all
pain and sorrow, they are rejoicing over
and of liberty, redeemed by their sufferings.
l come to you, my friends, with no doletul
Rwords-with no sad or gloomy heart. This
5 no occasion for mourning or sorrowing of
fpirit If l have the honor to address rela-
Dives of these departed heroes, let me say
ilry your tears, quiet your hearts, and in your
faith look away beyond the sinful surround
ngs of EARTH and catch glimpse of your
owed ones in the bright realms of glory. As
l,nl1 ALz,. ,1,a- all frto
ended, all troubles ceased, and all sorrowing
|bver, does your heart call them back to you?
kh, no! You would not have them return to
3ight the battles of life over again. Add to
The JOY you feel in believing them so happy,
The grand consolation Of knowing how Just
hnd mighty the cause for which they died,
Ind who in this presence need feel sad when
Standing over their graves?
This ceremony is by no means new one.
Irhe old countries of the east did this, in the
lays when gladiatorial combats armed the
theatre going people, by staying human
beings for the amusement of women and
children. 1t was done far back in the past,
when wars were carried on, and tens of thou
fand slain, not for principle, but for the per-
konal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of emperors and kings.
f those people could find it in their hearts to
honor the graves of their dead, why should
bot we follow in their footsteps, when every
Soldier of this land where he fell advanced the
principles of justice and equal rights the wide
World over?
If you would fully understand the ma esty
bf these fallen mems services-if you would
know what the peace We enjoy to-day cost, try
10 fix in your mind the vast number of martyrs
'lround Freedoms altar. More than three
hundred thousand of our noble brothers fell
n the struggle, and those who have died since
bn 10. lf . nj, ..,,lS
Incidental to their service, have swelled the
humber until to-day nearly four hundred
thousand of these graves hallow our soil.
For the graves of such men what can be more
appropriate than the tributes you bring to-
fay? Vegetation seems to culminate in flow
|ers. The roots may grow deep, the trunk
be strong, the branches spread wide and be
fecked with lovely foliage; yet not till the
bud and blossoms come forth is nature COM
bletely adorned. With these choicest of
farth's productons-the very smiles of heaven
these kindly remembered and sacred spots
re decked.
1t seems to me grander or more appropri-
Ute offering could not be made. If this as
ertion needs proof, offer the universal ap-
broval Of the world. Go to the east, and
tart at the point where man first appeared
hpon the earth, and on every parallel of the
5oil as you travel westward across the two
continents to the Pacific, you will find traces
bf war in the graves of soldiers; and with
he same universally you will learn every
government has in one way or another,
through its people, paid its respects to the
memory of those who, in war, upheld her
avs. May the day of this ceremony in our
and never be forgotten by loyal people; but
# as the year returns let both young and
Pld, Irvine these beautiful garlands, to lay
&bove the sacred dust.
l am happy at the surroundings OF the day;
90 often these occasions are marred by as
Iuming the funeral type. Ere this you have
earned, that in that do not concur at all.
No! let the draping colors be red, white and
blue, and let the proud old ''stars and stripes
IN triumph fiutter from the topmost head, and
bot from the point of distress. Some of you
am aware will differ with me, and say
e ought on these occasions to fly the flag at
alf mast, hang the streets with black and
Fhite, and trim all these garlands with
nournful Grape. Very well. l make no
ssue with such, and simply say if that is
our idea of this service, enjoy all you can in
o gloomy a manner, but for one be pleased
o allow me to perform my part in more
{heerful way.
l know death has in all ages been looked
pom as a terrible, dreaded monster; the
nemy of humanity; but II there
one thing more clearly taught than any
Their, in nature well as in revelation it is that
nan, after the dissolution of his tenement of
lay, shall still live on. How can it be other
Use? All that distinguishes man from other
peces of animal creation, came directly from
is creator. At death, who dare to say it
hall not return2
A philosopher sat upon the bank of placid
tream, on the opposite side of which stood a
Tide-spreading oak. While he was musing
yer the peculiar reflection below him, a leaf
ell from branch above, and slowly futtered
downward, while its reflected shadow under
he water, rose to join the substance, until
n the surface the two were united. He be-
bought himself, thus it is with the spirit of
nan. At death it shall rise, and in the bound
ess regions above, on that measureless sur
Rce ofeternity, be reunited with, and swal-
owed up in, that Being from whence it origin
lily came.
Again l repeat, weep not, friends of these
eparted ones. Their resting places are
mong the most sacred wards of the nation.