Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-18
a Soldiers Monument.

Through the present efforts and unseifish activ-
| tiles of the members of Seth Williams Post OF the
Grand Army o f the Republic, in this city, the at
tention of our people is rcncwedly called to the
subject of Soldiers Monument. This is an OF
ect which should vtally interest every patriot and
lover of his county and Of Justice to those whose
| names should be Transmitted from generation to
generation as the sayiors Of the country in her
prcmc need. 1t has panied US, while participating
in the conservation of memorials reared for these
sacred uses in towns and villages whose nhabl-
tanis are rcckoncd by only few hundreds, to know
that in Augusta, the capital of the State with its
wealth. intelligence and population, the grand raj
lying point of the hosts marshang for the deadly
conflict where the returning braves, with shattered
limbs and bleeding wounds came home to die,
where rest the unknown soldiers with unlettered
headstones-that here not even simple marble
shaft should be reared to the memory Of the dead
soldiers, on which might be inscribed the simple
words, "Iq Kcmorian,."
We cannot look upon it a. matter of simple
ncglect-a duty lost sight of in the pressure of
more important tasks--but as burning shame and
disgrace to the city, for which there can be no
apology. Other towns have built their memorial
halls, appropriating inches for statlary and works
of art that shall constantly teach by the most sig
nfcant object methods the clearest and most pro-
found lessons ofpatriotism marble slabs on which
are inscribed in letters of gold the names of those
who, leaving happy fresidcs and dear homes found
that
The path Of glory leads but to the grave
and who were raised by the fiery trials through
which they passed, from the obscurity OF humble
citizenship to the glorious inheritance of martyrs.
0 ther towns STILL have raised the monumental pile,
TIL the State of Maine is dotted all over with these
expressive memorials of her defenders, and the
grounds that enclose them are set apart forever
for sacred uses.
Several towns and cities in the state now
making an tfiort to erect such monuments in their
midst, TO be ready for dedication the next fourth
Of July. When urging repeatedly the enterprise
Of soldiers monument in Augusta, we must con-
fcs5 that it has been with shade of impotence
and doubt, coupled with humiliation, as the prop
o,ion has fallen upon unwilling OF unconscious
cars. The paragraph urging the measure has
been read and then has passed away like the idle
wind apparently leading to no permanent results
Now the members Of the Grand Army propose
by series of grand enterainmc nts next week to
make a beginning in the raising Of funds for the
object named, an opportunity is again offered fol
citizens to indicate, practically, their interest
in the matter. Now that these men who have seen
service arc to ipaugurate the me asurc, it would he
doubly diglaceful il the project should fail Of ac
complement through the indifference Of those
who during the stayed at home by their own
comfortable fire. ides OF course the proceeds of
these entertainments will form nothing more than
a nucleus or rallying point Of monument fund, to
be augmented by private and public contributions
the city, IL It's corporate capacity, as other cities
have DONE becoming willing and ready contribu-
tor. \ monument proper to be erected here,
should not cost less than five or six thousand dol
lar. In any event, let the raising of funds be
commenced leaving the style and expense Of. the
monument to be determined at another time.
We ei0ice that the nitiatorv steps are TO be TAX
en- for the grand object VIC have thus briefly con-
sidercd. We trust that the men of influence and
of means viii become deeply interested and that
the centennial year of country birth will
mark he erection of a soldiers monument IN Au-
gusta that.shal be credit to the city and fitting
memorial to those whose patriotism and great sac
liice it will commemorate.