Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-01

And thus filed with an ardor as indom'table as
that Of Leouidas and his Spaitans at Ihermopy'P
did the thousands Of brave and noble men go
forth a, then country's cal-men from all vocs-
lions in civil life men who had never performed
an hour of military service yet men OF inteli-
gence men of understanding, and men who knew
the principles for which they were contendng
mo msddeung thirst for blood had they,
No battle JOY was theirs,
but they were moved by a sense of duty count
ing no service too severe, no sacrifice too great
and knowing that peace to be complete and final
could only be scared through the terrible arblt-
rament of war. And through the four long years
how those men toed and suffcred-what for,tude
AMI courage did they display through all the
scenes of army life--and when strong hearts at
home almost sank in doubt and dismay, those
brave souls did not hesitate nor despair, but con
tinued through all the midnight hours of gloom
and anxiety to advance steadily TO the field OF
blood and death till at last the dark and lurd
clouds were dispelled, and the sunligh, Of peace
once more returned. Through the bravery, the
herosm and mart rdom OF such men as these was
victory won, and joy and happiness brought to
people so long and severely tried. "God grant
that such lessons of loyalty and devotion be not
lost"
"The hopes and fears the blood and tears,
That marked that bitter strife,
Are now all crowned with victory
That saved the nations life.
No words of mine ftngy express the
gratitude owe to those noble and solfsacrtc-
ing souls who went forth to return not again, but
who freely offered their lives that this nation
might still survive and be dedicated anew to the
cause of freedom, to humanity and to God
Defenders of a nations honor No more will
the revcille waken their slumbers, no more VIII
the fatgung ma ches task then energle', nor the
desperate fight test their bravery. lheH warfare
all is DER. and now
"On Fsmes eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac OF the dead.
Unlike other public days. this is one which in
spires thoughtiuness-whch leads us to reflect
upon the cost of our institutions, and recalls the
duties we owe to those who achieved the liberties
and blessings which we enjoy-and | have en-
deavored briefly to show how terrible has been
the struggles for human liberty and as | re-
marked in the beginning. il has been accomplished
through the bravery the devotion and sacrifice of
human life. 10 day and generation has one
of its grandest tiumphs been OF tanned, and now
behold the consnmmRtion OF mans efforts. Here
Is government resting upon the foundations of
civil and re igious liberty, and where beneath the
vault of heaven has man, co-worker with the
Almighty, reared pronder temple to his glory
Where rests structure upon surer foundations
Governmen ts that Knocked our rising great
ness are no more. Thrones have fallen and
dvnasies have passed away. but this Republic
has grown stronger and stronger, and j. to-day
mghtier than ever in its imposing grandeur. Its
influence is felt and acknowledged throughout
the oldest look TO Us for encourage cement, for in
struction and guidance. And as the purposes of
the Almighty move not backward, we firmly be
leve thst this Rep 'hlic, guided by t,ee and
intelligent people will vet he Dug ht to that
of completeness and reflection the best and the
most benefcent government the world has ever
known.
Over the grave Of Korner, the poet soldier of
Germany who fought and died 10 defence of his
fa,herland, stands monument of Palisn marble,
with a Tyre and sword eNquisitely carved thereon,
and described with these words, Forget not the
faithful dead" 1t Is in obedience to such a scnti
ment, fondly entwned in every patriotic heat
with the sad. sweet memories OF own 10y al
dead, that we come to day from saidened hearth
stones aud broken home circles to stand once
more be side their henored graves, and " iih our
prayers and tears to consecia ate ourselves anew to
the glorious land fol which they died, and to be-
stow once more the floral offerings of our sorrow
and love. We would have willingly laid down
those mute and eloquent emblems and have gone
way in silence, did not the duty Of the hour
seem TO demand further tribute at our hands.
Ours is a high aud sacred trust. The names of the
brave sons Of Augusta vino laid the bright bloom
of youth and the glory of ma nhood on their conn
trys altar in the dark night Of its gloom and sad
ness, should be inscribed on enduring granite. If
we are in any measure grateful TO these men for
the sacrifices they have made and the sutferings
thew endured-if we value the lessons of patriot
ism and heroic manhood which their lives have
taught-It we hold DE- ar the inestImable blessings
of liberty in its largest and freest sense which
they molly fought u defend and save to us-in
short, If the fruits of their sacrifices ANYTHING
to US, and we are worthy TO enj them, we shall
not forget that our first and greatest duty to them
is to place their names hevoni the reach of the
ehscing hand of time. And if the present genera-
ton, who gave them life who loved them 10 child.
hood, who associated with them in all the avenues
OF human effort and action, do not rear monu-
ment to their memory, how can we expect others
who come after Us, and who never knew them to
be interested in such a work That such a move
nent has already been iuaugurated in our city
shows that we are not wholly unmndful of our
duty, though long delayed That the work has so
far progressed shows that our citizens have
heart and common interest in this matter That
it shall not fail fater til carried forward to
successful completion will prove the strength and
sincerity of the convictions that pr ompt US to the
work. Notwithstanding our people have responded
literally to my call upon their generosity in fur
therance of tins object, there is much 10 be done
and no effort should be stayed our ardor al.
lowed to abate till we shall raised in our midst
a stately shaft, on whose enduring base shall be
inscribed in inefsceable characters the names of
those brave and heroic men.
Comrades, the services OF this dsy are nearly
closed Having shared the memoi able experience
of a soldiers life, an experience which twined for
our hearts many bonds of sympathy, these beau
tful and touching ceremonies b ing wildly back
to remembrance our fallen compan ions who shared
with us this costly experience. While the memo
ries of our marches and battles, and all that we
have toed and suffered together, can never he
wholly effaced from our hearts, yet in the annual
Resembling of our numbers the thrilling past is
brought more clearly before us. Let us as we
go away resolve to do what that the spirit
of freedom may continue to go forward to its
highest achievement Let us cherish and honor
the great principles upon which our government
is founded. Let us not cease speech nor PRAYER,
nor agitation-let US not shrink even from revolu-
ton, if it need be-to give to every human soul
no matter of what color condition. the largest
liberty and the greatest protection, and through
the influence of our noble example will other
nations catch the inspiration, and in Gods own
time will they all take up and repeat together in
one grand chorus the angelic song, "On earth
peace-good will to man."
The address was finely written, and well deliv-
cred, and the comments upon it are favorable.
The large audience then sang "Americs," with
fine effect, and after another piece from the Band
and the benedction, pronounced by Rev. w. NJ.
Sterling, the new pastor Of the Methodist church,
the interesting exercises were brought to close.
IN HALLOWELL.
The memorial exercises were held in the fore
noon, under the direction of John b.
nuhhard Post