Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-29

tradcted by the voice OF slavery 1t Is some little
comfort to know that the founders and first defend
crs of this country were almost to q man, North
and South, opposed to slavery, and earnestly de-
sired its removal. All little did they dream what it
would cost to remove it. Slavery was what John
Wesley called the "sum Of all vlanies." Cypress
ion is . sword, however, that cuts both ways.
She STAKEHOLDER reaped the results of the system
in its benumng influence. He became insensibe
to the mighty wrong he was doing his fellow men,
and demanded that the curse should have new
territory to feed upon The mighty anaconda ex-
tended its Shiny folds around the body of this ma
ton, and was almost ready to spring at its
throat As the slave oigarchy became more cruel
to their slaves so they became more impatient OF
rebuke by the North. Men at the North began to
be deeply moved, and the appropriateness and
cruelty Of American slavery were soon seen. he
peaceful solution of the question failed, and war
was inevitable. The issue was plain. Should our
flag be the emblem of despotsm a true de-
mocracy Should we be nation OF freeman or
nation of slaves And SO went forth with steady
nerve and determined purpose from farm and shop
and store and office, and college hall, our young
men, our citizen soldiers, to cross swords with
the blacklist tyranny that ever dsgraced this foot.
stool of God. Then followed the long list of
| battle fields. They are significant names, written
| in blood upon this nations history. At the be-
| ginning the intent of the nation was simply to
defend the Union, but it was soon found that
slavery the Jonah that must be thrown over
board. The air grew clearer after the Emancipa-
|
long enough rocked devil and the progress Of
freedom had long enough been stayed. 1t now
bounded forward to its proper place. America
was longer a contradiction to herself-the re-
generated flag came slowly but surely to victory
Right, truth, JUSTICE God were on its side, and it
could not suffer defeat.
To illustrate his point, Mr. Tilden related one
or two battle scenes that came within his person
| al experience.
How we should rejoice that we are permitted to
the line of first centennial free from the
disgrace of slavery! Our flag is the emblem Of
equal rights to white and black, to rich and poor
to high and low. Among the wonderful and Gu
rious things collected at Philadelphia the best and
brightest is the blessed flag of our country. 1t has
cost more than anything else there; it Is worth
more than anything else there.
We do not selfshly glory in the progress of
freedom in our country. Our victory has had
cast of the thrall of Popery; Japan has broken
down the gates of her isolation China has lower
ed her walls and looked out upon the world and
allowed the world to look in upon her; Germany is
becoming more and more ready to assent to repub-
lcan and Protestant ideas; poor, staggering
France is moving on towards permanent self gov
eminent, so far as she makes progress at all, and
stable old England is only republic in dis
guise." Power is passing away from royalty,
from mobiles and lords, into the hands of the COM
mon people, and everywhere democratic ideas
on the gain.
Truly those are worthy of honor who gave
their lives that all might be honored. What more
lavish praise could be uttered than that our mar
tyred soldiers willingly gave up their lives in de-
fence Ct q principle dear to man, and precious in
the 81. ht of God. Our soldiers died that men
might be free. Our country has lived on the
lives of its brave defenders.
| If others forget the noble dead, the soldier new
err can. lie witnessed their noble fidelity; saw
them fall in the thick of the fight, beheld them
waste away by disease. The SCARED and manned
forms meat us on every street, but these sacrifices
we would forget when we remember the men that
gave all. These sleep in yonder hillside cemetery
and in many a nameless grave in the South. We
would bow reverently in their presence. These
| men did better than to profess love of country;
they went into the jaws of death to defend her
The arguments they used were made, not with
| BREATH but with lite. The monuments all over
the country are sacred to the memory, not oftalk-
ers, but of actors.
| The strife in which our comrades fell, aud
through which we have been preserved, has not
new forms, but in the old spirit vet curse the
world. Let US honor our departed comrades and
ourselves by continuing to fight against wrong,
not in any one form, but in all its FORMS In the
conflict which we recall tonight, when a comrade
fell, we pushed on in the fight; so as one by one
Of our number shall pass away, let US who remain,
taking to ourselves the whole armor of God, being
filled with the Spirit and the power of His Cos
pei, go forward to righteous contest. Then
coming generations shall gather around our peace
full grave, and honor our memory as the soldiers
of the right.
So let US live, so let US die, that when we come
to life's close-when the retreat is beaten at
last sunset, the great reveille of heavens morn
ing shall burst upon our ears and we shall an
swer to roll call in land undisturbed by war
any sound Of violence, where peace shall reign
supreme and forever.
Mr.. Tlden occupied about one hour in the de-
livery Of his discourse, and at its close received
the congratulations Of his comrades and our cl.i-
zens generally.
Amid the trials and bereavements that are part
of life's experience, nothing makes the burden
seem ls'i'cr than the sympathy of friends. In the
dark hour, when we sit in the "Valley of the
Shadow of DEATH" it comes to US like a ray of
sunshine through the mist of summer shower.
When the sympathizing heart is full and the lips
are dumb, numberless are the ways in which it can
be expressed The many kind attentions which
have been shown Mr.. and Mrs. Robertson since
the death Of their little daughter. prove this Not
least expressive were gifts of floral beauty from
the children. Among these were knots Of rose
buds, little wreath of Arbutus, Lilies Of the
Valley, and many rare exotics A chaste an d
beautiful tribute was a mound of pure white flow
ers edged with Maiden hair Ferns; in the centre
was the name eide" in blue Violets. These
flowers were given by the pupils OF Miss Wheel
er's school, and arranged BY friends. At the Gem
etary loving hands lined the little grave with soft
evergreens, and wreathed it in flowers. Thank
God for the flowers.
Everywhere about us they are glowing,
Some like stars, to tell US spring is born
Others, their blue eyes with tears 'ertiowlng,
Stand like Ruth, amid the golden corn.
And with childish, creduous affection,
We behold their tender buds expand;
Emblems Of our own great resurrection,
Embems of the bright and better land"
very exciting game of base ball was played
Saturday, between the Atlantics and Alphas, re-
sultng in victory for the Alphas, by the follow
ing score:
ALPHAs. ATLANTICs.
O. r. 0. r.
Mcintosh, 0 Potter, 3
Lslly, Niles, 3
Pinkham, 2 Breen,
Jewett, 4 Lynch, 3 3
Smith A