Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-08-20
The Duty of Loyal Soldiers.

As a garbled report Of the leltor read
at the First Maine Cavalry Association
reunion from Capt. e.. a. BOutelle has
been printed in several exchanges we
give the letter in full rs printed IN the
Kenne5ec Journal. The following lstler
was read in response 10 the toast, Our
Army and Navy forever"
BANGOR, Aug. 9th, 1878.
Major j. ID. Myrick.
President First Maine CdValry Asso-
citation
| regret more than can say my absc-
lutte inability to attend the reunion Of the
comrades of the glorious First Maine, y
to which you 80 cordially invite rue; but
the exaciing duties OF n campaign
scarcely less important and arduous than
those which you are about 20 recall. give
me barely time TO ssnd you o word OF
irsternGl greeting and to xpress implicit
confidence that the National honor IS as
dear to-day TO the veterans OF the"Fighl-
ing First" 40 whom they followed their
shot-riven battle flags TO the very gates
OF death Tor its vindicalion.
We are now passing tho second ordeal
OF our great national test OF loyalty and
honesty and now, as before. the COIN
try looks 10 its gallant citizeu-soldiuIs to
be true, devoted and untlinching. The
question that overtops ali others al ibis
present hour, involves the maintenance
OF the solemn pledges 10 tho people
made in tho hour Oi EXTREMIST porii, m
behalf OF the patriots who were fronting
Rebellion on bloody batile-heds. Tho
question is part of the great issue
which summoned the First Maine Csval-
~ with it bugle call, and until the las!
assault upon the Nations integrity Is re-
pulsed. no true soldier OF the Union can
leel that ho is mustered out OF service.
In full recognition OF the gloTies and
sacrifices oi the past, the duties OF the
present, and tho dangers OF the future, /
feel that ! cannot say TO the soldiers OF
the First Maine anything more patriotic
and timely, than 10 repeat the honest
words uttered at the great Springfield
Reunion last June. by the gallant goneE-
al who commanded tho lott wing OF
Sherman > grand army in the "March TO
the Sea- Permit mo, therefore. To- offer
a. sentiment worthy OF the occasion,
this manly uIterance OF Major Henry w.
Slocum, which was cheercd 10 the ecno
by tho veterans oil the Society OF the
Army OF the Potomac:
II am sure mono OF you will charge
me with Introducing d political subject,
whom | say that az the hour of our great
est danger ielt grateful 10 the men who
rsked their fortunes in our behalf. l
was grateful TO the capitalists who loaned
the money which supplied the munitions
Of war. | was grateful then l sm CRATE
lu now do not belong TO the class OF
soldiers who would rob or cast reproach
upon the mon who furnish the means
which enabled the Government to send
rue TO the battle field
| am sure that the veterans OF the
Frst Maine will acquit me also OF any
improper intrusion OF politics, in quoting
tho noble words OF distinguished politi
cal opponent, VINO sets his country and
its honor lar above the atmosphere OF a
blind partisanship. Lot mo add a few
words from his private letter 10 myself
acknowledging my commentator oil his
patriotic remarks They are worthy TO
be repeated at any gathering OF loyal
soldiers:
II anu glad my remarks meet your up.
proyal. Since The close OF the war, /
have never neglected, on ans proper oc-
casiou, to express myself fully on the
duty Wa owe to the creditors OF the coun-
try. am no supporter OF doctrines
leading to reputation and communism,
aad think my man who cares for the
honor of his country should speak plain
Is on these questions.
rendering tho Comrades the above
sentiments. with the expression OF most
sincere regret thst cannot join in cele-
bralng their reunion, and hoping that
the occasion may bo as joyous as the
records OF your grand old Regiment is
bright, am,
Fraternally yours,
G.. A. BoUTELLE, late OF u. >. Navy.