The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-05-31

As har IN
timated,it was principles for wb;c,, @ nave ~
was contending and not for reyenae TIL NY 1ne
hatred cannot be revived for it nevar ;..9 4ui u
There is sacredness surrounding The s.nr;s Mseu.
all auimosity. We mourn our losses We fesI
saddened that the duty of ministering unto the
afflicted was necessitated: yet there is no NAL
ice: and while we deprecate the cause which
produced all of this woe-yet we remember
that the great mass of Southerneis even, were
conscientious in their duty-ed on 1t IS trde, oy
plotting and ambitious leaders, and they S, 700
mourn-they too sorrow- their loved ones 1eii
by the hands of thousands whom we respect =
and as each offers his or her testimonies to de-
parted love-and decorate the graves OF dear
ones with flowers, l believe the breach is mar
rowed, and the result will be, bye and bye-d
closer bond of union than euer before-strength-
ened by knowledge of each others woes
sanctified by the tears of sorrow and the beau
ty of sympathy.
We prize our blessings as we remember the
efforts exerted to secure them We almost
need to stand by the graves of the fallen to as
sure us that we have not passed through some
fearful dream. Almost all the evidences of
contest, have passed away. In the common
walks of life, there is scarcely anything to in
dictate that only nine years ago the roar of bat
tie reyerberated throughout the length and
breadth OF the land, THAT hosts Of armed men
were moving in deadly confict-that even oar
own quiet State and city were agitated by calls
for volunteers to engage in that tconflict-while
hundreds were trembling eoT. tia result of the
draft-or anxionsly looking where those vhrsss
hundred dollars were coming from. We hear
no more or TINS one or that one gone to the war.
Bulletins Lo longer announce victories or de-
feats. But as we stand by those consecrated
graves before the minds eye, the scenes of bye
gone years all pass 10 swift panoramic review
leaving their valued instructions. We remem-
Der the opening anrhsm of the war struggle at
Bull Run, and which almost shook the nation,
when the telegraph wires announced a defe at
and retreat The citizen then recalls the
dark hours, when sll looked so gloomy, and of
his efforts to recrui. the army, ana his contri
buttons of mouey into the depleted treasury;
and the noble aud sacrificing women at home,
whose tireless fingers contributed so much un-
to the wants and comforts of the volunteer,
and whose works, and sometimes ,oords, bright
ened many darkened day. God bless those
who were SO faithful and true. The soldier
seems to live over again the advancement on
Richmond by the way Of the Peninsula: the in
vestment of the Rebel capital: the seven days
fight the Maryland campai. N with Getty sbarg
conspicuous: the Fredericksburg slaughters:
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor
contests-all down through to Petersburg
while the west gave bloody fields almost innu-
merable, and the sea blended its roar with the
responsive boom of the canpon hurting death
upon hostile decks. Gloom, and sorrow, and
doubt hung over them ALL yet patriotism in
spired men-while, as have said, the courage
Gus support OF sacrificing women at home-so
noble amid their gentleness, urged brave hearts
to labor until the light should dawn. And
dawn it did, after a long, long, season. 1t came
the mind, cheering the hearts,
causing the lips to give forth the greatest re-
jocings, as the news few with lightning speed
from regiment to regiment, from division TO
corps, from corps to the nation-that Lee had
Observation-Disclosures which electrified the vast
continent-bringing ringing huzzahs from the
soldiers, joy to family circles-welcomes home
-reunions, peace and comfort save to those
whose treasures were left in distant States, and
who will meet with them only upon the other
shore.
Before the mind rises the form of many no.
BILE private. who, through love for his country,
gave his all: OF many regimental officers, who,
in cheering their men on to victory, gave them
selves to its achievement, until we pause to of
fer tribute to and shed tear over grand
leaders such as Kearney, Sedgwick, Berry, and
in later days Meade and Farragut and hosts of
0thers-untl it reaches the honest self-sacrific-
ing, pure minded, and devoted Lincoln of whom
Bryant has said-
'Pqre was his life; its bloody close
Hath placed him with the sons of light,
Among the noblest host of those
Who perished in the cause Of right"
And with all of these recollections, come
fresh to the mind the lessons which those sea-
sons inculcated. Happy are we if we heed
them. We learned then, that the "price of
lasting liberty, is, to borrow an expression,
eternal vigilance" We learned too that no
antagonism to mans welfare can exist and not
produce difficulty One antagonism was exter-
minated-though mighty was the effort reauir-
ed-a power which had long disturbed our peace.
as senators in national councils threatened
and representatives raised hostile hands AGAINST
those who differed in political faith. FROM the
graves OF quarter of a million of devoted md
fallen men, there rises an inspiration which.
free to act, will secure the reconsecration of
men-and the dedication of woman's influence
to uphold and treasure what precious blood has
notwithstanding the perpetuity of true dem
ocratic institutions, and imparting a life and
vigor to the determination of all to be faithful
which no masm of sophistry, nor vet mildews
of ambition can ever wither or check.
Am told that the results which followed the
national struggle, cost too much? that deprad-
ing compromise would have been better? Think
you it those noble men could speak-that they
would say that the price of our lives to secure
the Heaven-smiled result, was too much?
Would the soldier or the sailor, with his limb
torn away-would the lifelong invalid ex-
cnange his condition and decree a different ter
mination TO the struggle? No. No We de-
grade thus the estimate which men placed up
on their efforts. The grand old sentiment of
Patrick Henry, 'liberty or DEATH" and may
add, the perpetuity of nation founded upon
true liberty, thrilled their souls. and though
death was the answer some received-the prin-
ciple of liberty was pure and spotless from the
contest; and now in the truest and broadest
sense, we can say in the present and with con-
fidence in the integrity of coming generations,
We may believe that the truth will be maintain
ed that
"The Star Spangled Banner forever shall wave
Ger the land Of the Free and the home of the brave
While, therefore, you decorate the graves of the
fallen with flowers in token of your esteem for
their valor and love for their patriotism-their
lives appear as beautiful flowers decorating the
properties of grateful and successful nation
The war came: and the war closed 1t
brought its duties-it left its responsibilities.
1t brought labors-severe-arduous in their ma
ture, calling men into new spheres of action.
1t has left labors to be misunderstanding
almost equal earnestness and fidelity, but d.
vested of either severity or responsiveness. This
day and its memorial services bring them viv-
idly before the mind. Yvu who survive the
contest-not the soldier alone by any means-
but eUery man and tconndn in the land, are by
virtue OF your pledged words, invested with a
sacred charge. Some of those men whose
names we d-light to honor-whose deeds we
cheIish-whose memories we would ever keep
fragrant upon the affairs Of our hearts, and the
fruits OF whose labors, coupled with the labors
OF others, We are permitted beneath the smile
OF Heaven to enjoy for a season-invested us all
with new responsibilities. The support and
stays OF loving families were stricken down, not
IN any selfish workout in support of a public
good :: and when death closed It's arms around
tnese men. may not the recollection of the
promises OF men and women at home, that they
would care for the dear ones dependent upon
them, have cheered their last Moments prom
lss which lighted up the dark valley-and fill
ed their souls with joy? The widow and the
orphan of the fallen soldier-their comfort and
prosperty-are sacred charges and sacred re-
sponsibilities upon each and ALL And yet, how
many men there are whose fortunes were made
off the war-who would have prolonged it until
to-day if they could have had contracts-and
saved their bodies and poor cowardly souls from
rebel bullets, who raise the greatest CRY if any
soldier element" presents itself for favor or adj
vancement-or if they are called upon to con-
tribute penny to aid the fatherless.
Who does not remember the promises made
to the soldier If he would 60 to the front? prom
ises IN a. most cases, most feebly redeemed. If
from the heavens above, the departed soldier
can look down upon the earth. and can,
amid the many inhabitants, select the loved
ones who,were promised community's strong
arm OF support in case he fell-who does he
see ministering unto their wants, and in a
measure supporting them? Those who promis-
ed? How many ask? Speaking in general