Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-19
IN MEMuItIAM,
Memorial Services at Tosus-Oration by
Gen. MsttOeks.

The beautiful and impressive services of decor
sting with flowers the graves of the soldiers buried
in the cemetery at the Soldiers Home, Togus took
place yesterday afternoon. The weather was in
perfect keeping with the exercises, and couldn't
have been improved upon. While the services
were under the immediate direction OF Cutler
Post all the x-soldiers at the home Joined most
gladly 70 the exercises, marching in the process
sion the uniform of their country, being escort
ed by the Post, in the uniform of that orgsnza.
ton, and led by the Band AS the procession of
"boys In blue, the majority of whom bore upon
their bodies the marks of the rebellion, marched
into the grove where heroes sleep, the green
leaves of the oak trees waved their welcome. The
members of the Post wound round among the
graves, bearing In their hands bouquets and
wreaths of flowers, and after the singing of the
Decoration Hymn by Qualtette, at given sig.
nal the graves were simultaneously decorated.
On the platform erected in the usual place were
gathered Gen. Tilton, the orator of the day. cler
gymen ladies, &C., and about this gathered the
soldiers. and pressing hard on the hundreds
who had come in carriages from all directions,
and who always intend to place Decoration Day
at Togus in the calendar among the holidays
After choral by the Band the exercises al the
stand proceeded with an impressive and appropri-
ate prayer offered by the Rev. Mr.. Upjohn.
A hymn then sung by the Qusrtette club,
and Gen. c. P. Mattocks of Portland, then pro-
ceeded to deliver the Grafton.
The speaker began by referring to the fact that
among all nations and in all ages there has been a
sentiment similar to that which among us has
given Use to the ceremony of annually decorating
the graves of the gallant dead. All great soldiers,
great statesmen, in fact the ablest well a. the
meanest of men desire TO be remembered after
death. Napoleon and Nelson were cited as exam
pies. 1t was no other sentiment to which Napo-
leon appealed when amid the pyramids of the
DESERT he issued his famous order which reas-
sured his fsltering batalhons and wrought victory
out of fatigue and decentralization. The touching
ceremony performed at each roll call in honor of
that brave French soldier, Tour 'Auvergne, who
refusing promotion finally met his death the
red front of battle at once displayed the far
ing wisdom of Napoleon, and at the same time
touched q sentiment within the breasts of the
French soldiers which bore rich fruits in after
campaigns. Reference was made 10 the conduct
of our own soldiers who, when about to make a
charge, or take part in a dangerous engagement,
often used every precaution to cause their bodies
to be identified in case they should fail thus show
ing that true bravery and the sentiment to which
the speaker had referred were not inconsistent.
The Earl of Cardigan, whose etfeminancy and quar-
relsomeness had lost him many of his warmest
friends shew by his gallant charge at Balsklava
that he too was sctuated by that sentiment which
often makes heroes of men, who. but for the on
portunites of war, would be despised or at least
forgotten. Clusters bravery received new i'm
pulse from the stings of official disapprobaton and
in his heroic death we forget his impctuousness
which so often involved him in engagements
and quarrels with his superiors in rank
The funeral ceremonies of the Greeks and
Romans were briefly sketched. Honors pair to
A.. L. - C..,.,s ~
formed an important part of the Grafton, nor were
the more ancient obsefvances Of the Egyptians,
and early Christians forgotten. The touching
funeral ceremonies of the North American In
dians aud the peculiar desire for remembrance af-
er death, which chsracterzes the Chinese, were
ferred to as instances of the universally of the
sentiment under consideration.
The speaker claimed that there could be no dan
ger to the republic from these military reunions
upon the ground that they revive the animosties
of the war. The entire tendency was pacific.
Even in the heart of the South, where the graves
of Northern soldiers are yearly decorated by their
sorrowing comrades, this ceremony awakens
none but the kindest feelings in the hearts of
their former opponents. The men who made the
war and not those who fought its battles are now
the most warlike. The influences exeited by tine
societies which grew out Of the war cannot fail
to be good. The men who preserved the ntegr.
tx of the government as soldiers, can be trns ed
as citizens. The associations and friendships
formed among men IN time of a common danger
are the most enduring of any. The returned
soldiers are one of the strongest elements of our
national strength to-day.
We give place to the following extract, as it
gives a concise sketch of the funeral ceremonies
OF various nations
The beautiful French custom which yearly be-
decks the last resting place of Frances greatest
friend, and perhaps her greatest foe, has been fit
ly transferred to these shores; not for the idle
purpose of perpetuatng the glory of single
name, or continuing the power and influence of a
single race or family, but to preserve among the
living the sacred memories Of those who died 10
obedience to their countrys call.
A discussion Of funeral ceremonies and customs