The Portland daily press., 1878-08-17

As garbled report of the letter read at the
First Maine Cavalry Association reunion from
Capt. G. A. Boutelle has been printed in several
exchanges we give the letter in full as printed
in the Kennebec Journal. The following let
ter was read in response to the toast, "Oar
Army and Navy forever
BANGOR, Aug. 9TH, 1873.
Major j. D. Myrick,
President First Maine CdUdlry association:
regret more than L can say, my absolute H.
ability to attend the reunion of the comrades of
the glorious First Maine," to which you so
cordially invite me; but the exacting duties of
campaign scarcely less important and ardu-
GUS than those which you are about to recall,
give me barely time to send you word of fra
ternal greeting and to express implicit con-
fdence that the National honor is as dear to-
day to the veterans of the Fighting First,' as
when they followed their sbOt-riven battle flags
to the very gates of death" for its vindication.
We are now passing the secoEd ordeal of our
great national test of loyalty and honesty; and
now, as before, the country looks TO its gallant
citizen-soldiers to be true, devoted ard uE-
finching. The question that overtops all 9TH
ers at this present hour, involves the mainte-
nance of the solemn pledges to the people
made in the hour OF EXTREMIST peril, in behalf
of the patriots who were fronting Rebellion on
bloody battle-felds. The question is part of
the great issue which summoned the First
Maine Cavalry with its hugle call, and until
the last assault upon the Nations integrity is
repulsed, no true soldier of the Union can feel
that he is mustered out of service.
In full recognition of the glories and sacrf-
ces of the past, the duties of the present, and
the dangers of the future, feel that l cannot
say to the soldiers of the First Maine. anything
more truly patriotic and timely. than to repeat
the honest words uttered at the great SPRING
field Reupion last June, by the gallant general
who commanded the left wing of Sherman's
grand army in the "March to the Sea-" Permit
me, therefore, to offer as sentiment worthy of
the occasion, this manly utterance of Major
Henry w. Slocum, which was cheered to the
echo by the veterans of the Society of the Army
of the Potomac:
81 am sure none of you will charge me with
introducing political subject, when | say
''that at the hour of our greatest danger l felt
grateful to the men who risked their fortunes
sin our behalf. was grateful to the capitalists
who loaned the money which supplied the
munitions of war. l aDdS grateful then; l am
"gratefd nooc. I do not belong to the class OF
"soldierS aUho scould rob or cast reproach upon
"hte men aoho furnish the means aohicl enable
'ue Government to send me to the battle field.
am sure that the veterans of the First
Maine will acquit me also of any improper in-
trusion Of politics. in quoting the noble words
of distinguished political opponent, who sets
his country and its honor far above the atmos-
phere of a blind partisanship. Let me add
few words from his private letter to myself
acknowledging my commentator of his
patriotic remarks. They are worthy to be
repeated at any gathering of loyal soldiers:
81 am glad my remarks meet your approval.
sSince the close of the war, 1 have never
neglected, on any proper occasion, to express
myself fully on the duty we owe to the
Creditors of the country. I am no supporter
''of doctrines leading to reputation and COM
"munism. and think any man aobo cares for the
honor of has country should speak plainly on
"ttese questions"
Teadering the Comrades the above senti-
ments. with the expression of most sincere
regret that cannot join in celebrating their
reunion, and hoping that the occasion may be
as joyous as the records of your grand old
Regiment is bright, am,
Frat-rnaly yours,
G. A. BoUTELLE, late of U. S. Navy.