Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-08
ayr destrored the Turkish feet in one hour.

navy destroyed the Turkish feet in one hour.
/ We have with us noble sons of lustrious sies,
and Judging from the past, and by what we see
before US, judging by the recent grand achieve
ments from the Danube to Cons tautinople, and in
Asia Nj inor. Russia is 10 the future to take the
place As the leading nation of the east not only
upon land bat upon
I Major Myrick then said: For response to the
next toast, | am happy to be able TO cal upon
whose public career has conferred such dstin-
guished honor upon this Commonwealth and
whose name and fame are cherished as among its
richest and most precious treasures by the people
OF his adopted State. His unparalleled success,
combining 50 much of almost chivalrous romance
with dazzling brilliancy, has placed Maine in the
foremost rank of States in political power and in
huence, even as the proves of her sons gave her
undsputed pre-emnence during the war of the
L niOu. HIS career has become familiar in every
patriotic home throughout the length and breadth
of this reunited iaud, which helped to
redeem and save, aud to whose greatness and
grandeur his wisdom and stste,manship, in the
national councils, have contributed 50 largely and
SO freely. The toast is-"The State of Maine
rich 10 the untold wealth of her fields, her forests
and her mines her magnificent harbOrs ana the
| iimtable volume of her mighty water power
opnlent ia rare tradition aud honorable history of
J the past, she yet turns with deepest pride to her
record of loyalty aud patriotism. and reverentv
points to the illusrious muster roll OF her 5000
heroic sous who fought Tor human liberty and the
| Union Of our fathers" And have the honor to
present to you the Hon. James q. Blaine, United
States Senator for Maine.
I AS Mr.. Baine's name called the audience
rose as one man TO It's feet, and gave three hearty
cheers, followed by applause. When the noise
had subsidized, Mr.. Blaine said he was glad to be
present. He would say, without egOtism, that he
was present at the birth Of the regiment He had
| been Instrumental in having two men, whose
names he gave, detailed as commissioned
officers, who were sent here and were
made captains of the new Iegment. One died in
the service, and another is an officer at w ashing
| ton. The regiment was formed, and we all Ie-
member its magnificent appearance, and the splen-
| did horses upon which 1t was mounted. About
| the Time they were ready to proceed to the front
| there was change at the war department and an
order was sent out to disband all the cavalry regi.
ments recently formed. He was detailed by Gov.
| Washburn TO visit Washington, to save the regi-
ment to the service of possible, and he represent
ed to the war department that this Union could not
| be saved without the First Maine Cavalry. He
| was assisted by Hamlin aud Morrill, and Fessen-
den, but all their efforts would perhaps been with
| out avail bad not a regular srmy officer who had
| just visited the regiment IN Maiue made his way
| TO the department, and with round cavalry oath
swore that the First Maine Cavalry should 90 into
service. 1hese gatherings are highly valuable.
| In England the survivors OF Waterloo had an
nuai gathering at the house of the Duke of We'll
ingtoL while he lived. They are kept up now, and
the sons and giaDdsons OF The survivors had form
| ed themse ives into a society for the observance
OF the custom, and it would not be allowed to die
out. SO long as the results OF our war are appre
ciaed, 50 lot Z as galantiy is known and respect
| ed among men, 50 long should be told the deeds
OF the First Maine.
In presence of our honored Russian guests he
called to mind some incidents of the war hitherto
unpublished, ana which would not be fully known
until certain correspondence should be published
| TO the world. 1t Will then recall just the amount
| of debt which the United States ows TO Russia.
| More than twice we had 8 menace which would
| have engulpbed us in war with two nations.
| Louis Napoleon marched an army into Mexico,
hoping to be assisted by England in the extension
of the rebel line. The United States looked to
him like splendid prize, but Engls and France
didn't know just how TO seize 1t. Russia said to
| them, Lay but a fingers weight upon that coun-
and there will be trouble, and about that time
enormous Russian ships OF war made their APP
pearsnce 10 the waters of the Potomac. Acts like
tuese eni,le Russia and all her citizens and sub
ject- to the lasting and active sympathy OF the
people and government of the United states.
Tue speech was one of Mr.. Blane's happest
efforts, and was received it'll rounds of applause.
Inc next person ca led upon was the historian
of the regiment, whose varied and mnltltarlous
lsbors ia camp and in the field, and at all
pleasant reunions, have never failed to reflect
honor upon his regiment and credit upon himself;
who va, ever prompt and efficient, ready and
wlhng, gallant and faithful 10 every position he
was called upon 10 occupy. from private to lieu
tenant and adjutant, aad whose well known
ties and ready and facile pen, finding ample
scope in his grand labor of love, has given q
History OF the FIRST Maine Cavalry
p. Tobie of Providence, K. l., the poet OF the
evening. Mr.. Tobie was called upon to respond
to the loast-'' The First Maine Cavalry at Home
and Abroad"
Mr.. lobe said, from the time the regiment had
formed until 1t Gisbanded, he had not known the
time when 1t was not perfectly al home. 1t never
had laid round loose anywhere. How it is re-
~. p.AH aHrAuI may he from tt.a
dial receptions the old comrades everywhere have
received.
The next regular toast-"The Grand Army of the
Republic, fou uded upon the broad principles of
Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty, while IT kuits
more closely together the lies which unite as
comrades, aud t-nderly cares for the widows and
orphans Of our late companions in arms, IL seeks
especially to keep alive the sphit of loyal devo-
ton TO the flag, and to stimulate that patriotic
love of country which is our safety valve now,
and our hope for coming time. A. T.. Hamln,
Commander of the Department of Maine, G.. A.
r., was called on to respond.
Col. liamlin said the Grand Army was an out
growth OF the war, composed OF tue brave
who had served in the Union army during the
bellion. A more noble arm, the world never saw,
composed of men of the best blood, the highest
| intelligence and the noblest character. When the
war ended, and these men returned TO civil and
social life, this organization was formed, whose
mission is beneyolence to the widows and orphans
Of soldiers, and to keep alive the fires upon the
affairs of patriotism.
The next regular toast was "Ihe battles of the
First Maine Cavalry. whose illustrious roll upon
Its standards is the proudest blszonry upon the
escucheon OF its fame" soldier distinguished
for his gsllan,ry upon the field. the old Comman-
der of the regiment Gen j. p Cilley WAS called
upon TO respond.
Gen. Ciley replied in very happy and facetious
manner. The speech should be published entire.
The next toast given was The health of our
beloved Col. Charles ii. Smith"
A letter read from Colonel c. H. Smith,
stating how glad he would be to accept the kind
| invitation to be present, but after writing he
found that 10 be impossible. The old regiment
often passed in review before him, and he recalled
the eyentfu scenes of the war. and in his letter
refer ed to many of them in detail He
responsible for the regiment going into action
where 1t did not have fair chance, and it
never Withdrew from action TILL it had done its
whole duty. He had never reproached himself
for any failure action commander of the reg
iment. As one of the regiment he had never
asked favor for himself either Of promotion
preierment. lie hoped to meet the regiment some
| time and talk over old DAYS.
| Letters also received consratulato;y and
otherwise, from Col. Gregg, Major J. w. Spsuld
| ing, and -. NJ NJ. Gregg, who were unable to be