Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-28
Local and State Nems.
The Great Soldiers Convention.
THE VETERANS 1. COUNCIL.

Yesterday afternoon, in response to the
call for Mass Convention signed by nearly
1900 ex-soldiers and sailors of Maine, the
Portland City Hall was filed to its utmost
capacity, principally by veterans OF the late
war, though the galleries had been reserved
for ladies and were filled by them. The
morning of the day was cloudy and the
weather decidedly threatening; at about noon
rain began to fall in torrents, and the shower
did not abate for more than an hour and a
half, lettering hundreds from being present.
Just before half past two o'clock the clouds
began to break away, and the sun appeared
There were soldiers from nearly all parts of
the State, many of whom bore battle-scars
and their honest, noble faces were pleasant
to look upon. Many old comrades met for
the first time since they parted soon after the
surrender of Lee.
At half past two nearly one hundred well:
known soldiers, headed by Gen. Seal, marched
upon the stage, escorting Generals Burnside,
Butler, Harlan, and Common. Soon after
Senator Wilson, Frederick Douglass and
Gov. Perham appeared upon the platform
and were welcomed with tumutuous cheer
ing. Gen. Isaac W. Starbrd of Portland
stepped forward and said they had come to-
gether to talk over and consider what their
duties in this Presidential campaign are; he
read the printed call, portions Of which, es-
pecially that relating to offering amnesty to
rebels like JEFF Thompson, was received with
applause. He then introduced Gen. Selden
Conner Of this city as President of the Con-
vention, who, laying aside his crutches, arose
and was greeted with cheer upon cheer. He
said:
thank you, comrades, for the honorable
post to which you have assigned me.
rejoice with you at this glorious muster
Of the soldiers of Maine, rallying now, no less
than in the old days, for the welfare Of our
country and the honor our flag.
Sabre and musket have been rusting on the
walls Of your peaceful homes for many year
but in the breasts of the men who welded
them, the glow Of patriotism burns with
steady fervor, and shines forth with all the
old-time splendor whenever Country and
Comrades are threatened and assailed.
an sure utter the sentiment common to
the soldiers of Maine now before me, to the
thousands of others who are with US to-day in
spirit, and the hundreds of thousands of the
defender, of the Union throughout the land,
in expressing the deep joy that thrills me at
the evidences of which this gathering is one
that the old Guard stands firm in its align
ment, and faces all one way.
Our noble leader, turning to the men lie
directed to victory over an infamous rebellion,
sees no scattered and confused host fly ing
from him in the face of the enemy, but solid
phalanx of freemen answering his mute APP
peal with looks of assuring regard and trust
ready to give him their voices as they were
to support him with he strength of their arms
in the fullest faith that they thus continue to
serve the cause of country no whit less faith
fully and effectively than when they gave
proofs of their devotion in the shock Of battle
on historic fields.
We come together to day, fellow soldiers,
to do whatever may lie in our power, to aid
in keeping the government of the country in
the hands of the men whose acts declare their
worth and faithfulness, and in retaining in
his office the Soldier President, whose deserts
in war and peace find but one parallel in our
history.
This assemblage is in itself powerful
agent.
As we look around and see the faces of
comrades good men and true, once familiar
to Us in camp and field, and on the march, we
catch anew the spirit of those days when love
of the Union and anxious solicitude, and toll
some service for its preservation, bound us
together as brothers.
In this presence each inspires the other and
all inspire each, with fresh determination to
move upon ha,cyer works stand in the way
of law and order, and dispute the dearly
bought supremacy of the National Govern
ment.
You hear objections murmured and out
spoken to the assembling of soldiers for poll
teal purposes,-to which we answer that we
do not come together as body apart from
citizens to promote separate interests and Pc
culiar aims.
In all that concerns the soldier he is willing
to trust his fellow-c citizens who babe him God
Speed when he went to the 'front.' followed
him thither with steadfast support by word
and deed, sympathized with him in disaster,
and rejoiced with him in victory.
But is it to be wondered at. is it not par
donable, if soldiers, having within them
during memories of loved and honored COM
rades stricken down by their side, of labori-
Gus duty and seepless vgils. of wearisome
marches and hard fought fields, of cruel suf-
fering from wounds and disease, or the mul.
tiplied torments of Southern prisons, and of
all the sharply cut experiences OF their mill
tary service,-should feel that their country,
whose preservation was the contamination of
their tolls and sacrifices, has therefore a
special DEAFNESS to them, and binds them to
itself with ties of strong attachment that
others cannot know.
Since in acting in concert with the loyal
people we rendered special service, is it not
permissible that we should retain the special
associations connected with that service,
while continuing to be their co-workers?
hold the fame and honor of the Soldiers
of the Union in jealous regard, and would
countenance no attempt to draw them to any
course of action inconsistent with their past,
or to attach them to any cause having no re-
lation to it. l would not see them answer
any appeal to range themselves with this or
that political party upon any occasion of less
import than the maintenance of every inch of
ground gained by the war, and the security of
its benefcent results.
But so long as there are any questions af-
fecting the unity and supremacy of our one
great country,-its duty to protest every
American citizen, and its right to his para
mount allegiance,-I do not believe the de-
tenders of the Union will regard themselves
rs mustered out of its service.