Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-31

freedom by observing this occasion; then let US, in
common with the loyal people of our country, OBJ
serve this day as one set apart to commemorate
the liberty we enjoy, and may the time never
come when those whose privilege it is to enjoy the
right of citizenship, shall fail IN some appropriate
manner to observe tins annual CUSTOM | now
have the honor Of introducing to you our fellow
citizen, Major Rowell, who has been selected to
address you on this occasion.
Maj. E. Rowell then pronounced the following
GRAFTON.
Comrades and (eNow citizens:
In accordance with custom SO faithfully OBJ
served by those who participated in the four years
struggle with rebellion for the perpetuation of the
rights and liberties of the people Of our common
country, and aided by the patriotic men and wom-
en- Of the north who so heroically sustained the
cause Of right by their sacrifices. their counsels
and their prayers, we come to-day, after decade
of peace and prosperity, again to pay the tribute
of sincere and heartfelt gratitude to those whose
lives were offered on the altar of patriotism, and
whose memories are this day fresh in the hearts of
their comrades and sympathzing country men
throughout the length and breadth of this land so
nooly rescued from the grasp of tyranny and OPP
preston. Within this beautiful cemetery conse-
Grated to those loved but gone before; under the
shadow Of this monument erected to the honor of
the brave, and beneath these waving flags and the
spreading branches of these trees just awakened
to life by the blessed sun of sprngme, we lift the
voice of prayer and praise to the great Author Of
Good and dispenser of freedoms blessings; recog-
MIXING first of all His leadership, protection and
overriding Providence in working out the dest-
MES of our nation, whether in baptisms Of blood
or in the Inauguration of peace, fraternal union
and universal brotherhood Thousands, yea mil
lions, join with US to-day in these appropriate and
inspiring ceremonies; and long we have a
place among the nations, the annual recurrence of
this day shall witness now, the spontaneous out
pourings Of gratitude and undiminished patriotic
zeal. Though time will inevitably obliterate the
animosities Of the past and dssipate the malignant
bitterness of the enemies OF nseparable union, the
memories of this hour, and of scenes connected
with the history Of the past fifteen years, can new
er fade, can never die. After the lapse of CEN
fury the heroic deeds Of our fathers at Lexington,
At Concord and Bunker Hill shine forth in resplen
dent glory and the centennial anniversary of the
signing Of the Declaration of Independence will be
observed with hundred fold more OF zeal and en-
thusiasm than ever before in our history SO shall
1t be in the commemoration Of our nations second
birth. when victory crowned banners, and
freedom was proclaimed throughout the land, and
to all the inhabitants thereof"
But We come not here on this occasion to re-
hearse the causes that led on TO rebellion, or re-
count the battles Of the sanguinary struggle for
liberty and justice. We come rather to join again
in the mournful though interesting ceremonies Of
presenting our thank-oferings, and to decorate
with flowers and evergreens the graves Of our
comrades whose bodies are returning to common
dust, but whose souls are marching on amid the
glores and mysteries Of the immortal and the eter-
nal while We only await the summons that shall
call US to our reward. Soon these demonstrations
Of respect and love in which we now participate,
will, perhaps, be accorded to us; and other hands
will strew the flowers, and other tongues mingle
in the ceremonies Of Commemoration Day, until
the last comrade shall have been mustered from
the ranks of the temporal to those Of the spiritual
army and then shall our children, and our chill
drens children keep alive the fires of patriotism
and make at least annual p!lgrimages to our
k,.1 al al say
We might dwell upon the national Importance
Of keeping alive in the hearts of the people re-
membrance Of what it cost to preserve us from i'm
pending destruction during four years of terrible
warfare but time would fail me to rehearse even
moiety of the arguments that rush upon the mind
with vivid distinc,ness and solemn import. The
value Of our blessings or possessions may always
be estimated by the cost in treasure sacrifice re-
CURED for their attainment; and so with our liber-
ties, social rights and moral and political freedom
and franchise. We cannot afford to lose sight of
the landmarks that guided US, either by pillar of
cloud, illumination of light, through the trying
periods Of our national history since the founda-
ton of this government, or slightly appreciate the
blessings so universally enjoyed by the people
der the protection of Just laws sanc,ifed by the
inspiration of an enlightened Christian civilization
We are now demonstrating the power and cohe-
siveness of Republican institutions, and the posi-
bities to be achieved by the united and patriotic
cooperation of the entire American people. Not
all the efforts Of the leading spirits of rebellion to
keep alive the smouldering embers of secession
and oppression can avail against the enlightened,
mature judgment and determined will of lovers of
the Union, both North and South. Every indica-
ton is favorable, far the people Of the North
concerned for the speedy and amcable settle
ment, in fact we'll as in name, of those differen
ces rendered for midable by the previous condition
of the country. and especially by the long cher
ished institution Of slavery at the north, and atten
dant sources of irritation both north and south
Let all sections unite in the sentiment that the let
~ r;t &c N sytt init md
ments shall be faithful lily regarded and submitted
to as fDsties, and that the lights of every Ameri
lean citizen must be nviolably regarded and pro-
tected, and the work of reconstruction IS com
plete; the permanency of Republican institutions
fully established and our union and interes, made
one and inseparable. May we all unite in bring
ing about that suspicious day when harmony
peace and prosperity shall crown this entire BROTH
erhood of states, and when disoyalty and supersti
tion in all their phases, shall be banishedfr from the
country forever.
The busy world moves on; the events of each
succeeding year sfording material for thought
and melting US to action. Years succeed each
other with startling rapidty, and new phases of
enterprise and fresh opportunities for development
are opening in our pathway. Wars dread alarms
give place to arts of peace. We no longer hear
the tramp Of hostile forces marching to the deadly
conflict. Not again shall the fond mother be call
ed upon to enfold her son in last, lingering en-
brace as he is about departing on his mission Of
duty and patriotism. With victory emblazoned
on myriad5 OF banners, our brave boys IN blue
have returned to their homes asd loved ones, to en-
10y the fruits of their tolls and sutferings in field
camp and hospital. The day-star of freedom must
not recede, even be allowed to stand motionless
in the horizon for moment. We are still under
the guardianship of the God of our fathers who
has carried us triuuphan,ly through many strug-
gles and who will not fail in the accomplishment
Of His beuefcent purposes of love and mercy
toward ns rs the leading nation of the earth.
"TIe ha, sounded forth trumpet that shall never
call retreat,
He is sitting out the hearts of men before his judg
ment seat;
0, be swift. my soul, TO welcome him. be jubilant
my feet;
Our God is marching on
In the beauty Of the lilies, Christ was born across
the sea,
With glory in his bosom that transfsares you
and me;
As he died to make men holy, let US die to make
men free,
While God is marching on"
What our progress shall be during the second
century Of our National existence, who can csti-
mate Teeming millions will occupy. the entire
territory of North America, from the frozen zone
to the tropics, and from ocean to ocean. New in
ventious ranid advances in Christian phllanthrOpy