Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-11
(From the Portland Press. J

A Massachusetts, soldier, who was introduced as
Captain Jack Adams, was next called on to speak,
but no sentiment wa. given him to speak to be.
cause Adams could not speak to single point. 1t
was the first time Captain Adams had ever been in
Maine, but he knew Maine soldiers. He had beer
in the same brigade with the 10Th Maine, and al
ways felt safe when it was in front. lie knew,
too, that everything that could be stolen would be
taken care of. He left his pocket book at the
hotel when he saw those fellows in the street.
Capt. Adams then referred to the war and Union
soldiers. They saved the country, and that fact
should not be forgotten. He thanked God for
Jas. G. Blaine (mmcnse cheering). He thanked
God that Blaine had told the rebels in Congress
how they treated Union soldiers-that he had
bearded Hill in the House. 1t was getting to be
too much the custom to require Union soldiers to
stand back while rebels were welcomed. (Sensa-
ton He had nothing but good will for the South
ern soldier but the Union soldier must be recog-
nized.
Capt Adams speech caused thorough sensation
and cries of "no politics" we're raised.
The army was the next sentiment, and General
Hobart Ward was called to respond, but that gen.
tleman not being present, Capt Adams was called
on, who in turn called upon Rev. j. F. Lowering,
who was chaplain of the 18th Maine, to respond.
he proceeded to speak of the loyalty of the Maine
soldier and passed to say that it devolved upon
the Union soldier to lead in giving the Nation a
patriotic and true President. As he was passing
on to say what sort of a man the Union soldier
should not support, some one in the crowd sung
out "Tilden." This was signal for cheers. his
ses and shouts of no politics." "Then," said the
eloquent parson, "if politics are rot allowed here
let speak to the sentiment of loyalty" (lm
mense cheers)
"The Ladies' was the next toast, and General
Charles w. Roberts of Bangor, was called upon to
respond. Gen. Roberts said that this not the
sentiment he was to speak to. He appreciated the
devotion of the women during the war. This
point did not hold HIM long. He then proceeded
to say that the war over and that its animosl-
ties should die out. The North was victorious aud
the South was truly pentent. lie had no words
for jeff Davis. He fought more with words than
weapons but he hoped the time would come when
the Union soldier would respect the character and
devotion of Robert E. Lee. This was too much
Hundreds shouted, "No politics." down" mo
rebel talk here" Gen. Roberts attempted to con-
tinue but the widest confusion prevailed Shouts,
hlsses and insulting cries made a very bedlam uf
the large tent. When Gen. Roberts attempted to
speak he was greeted with the same angry, ex-
cited voices. This interesting episode continued
for some time. Judge Shepley at length got a
place on a table and shouted: "Gen. Roberts was
q brave soldier, give him a hearing and we will
reply" "He resigned at the first of the war;"
shouted an intense fellow with robust physique
and strong lungs, "because he wasn't in favor OF
the war;"
Gen. Roberts faced the crowd and said that he
never was frightened. Col Burbank sprang to
the table and said, shear him, veil reply Com
parative quiet was restored at length and Gen.
Roberts closed by giving sentiment to the ma
tons dead, and expressing the hope against hope
that the scars Of the war would be hid from view
as are the graves Of our patriot dead by the YER
dure Of God.
No sooner than Gen. Roberts had sat down
Judge Shepley sprang to the platform and claimed
the right to reply. He saw the last steamer which
brought Union Soldiers from rebel prisons. lie
had helped to carry those emaciated and starved
men from that boat The next day he marched
into Richmond He entered the residence of JEFF
Davis, whom he had known when he Davis was
a loyal man. He also entered the residence of
Gen. r. Z. Lee. Both Of those residences over
looked the prison grounds from which these
starved and abused men he had seen on that boat
had been taken. Just above there was an ex-
celent camp ground where men would have good
air and dry camping ground. JEFF Davis not only
knew this, but Robert E. Lee knew it. He had
then and there sworn that he would denounce
those men as the murderers of Union Soldiers.
That duty was never more clear than when he
heard Gen. Roberts claim from Union Soldiers
their respect for Robert Z. Lee.
Judge Shepley stepped down, and then followed
the most intense cheering of the evening Men
jumped and shouted as if life depended upon it,
and the performance was repeated again and
again.
The applause bad hardly ceased when Col H.
ii. Burbank sprang upon the table. His name
was not in the programme, but he must speak.
He had been nine months in rebel prison. He
knew its horrors. r. E. Lee knew its horrors !;
and knowing that he knew it, he would not sit and
hear him applauded in an assemblage Of Union
Soldiers. Talk of the flag being sentiment. To
him it was reality when it first greeted his view
after nine months in rebel hell. Gen. Sherman,
the noblest Roman of them all. whose name had
not been spoken tonight, while rebel general
had been eulogized. opened the prison doors, and
his big heart and strong hand were given to the
starving prisoner. God bless him. Give him
three cheers. These were given with will.