Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-08
GRAND MASS MEETING,
The Gathering NJ Granite Hall, last Even
ing. Ia tiae Interests of r. Soiaiers' MOnu-
mtHt-Apcs' hes by citizens.

evening, a called by the Executive Committee OF
the Augusta Soldiers Monument Association.
The intensely cola weather kept many away
who would otherwise have been present; yet there
was a fair attendance of ladies and gentlemen.
The meeting was called to order by His Honor,
Mayor Nash, who briefly stated its objects. The
movement to build a soldiers monument belonged
to no political other organization, but TO the
people Of Augusta. aud all should be Interested in
it. lie hoped the good work would be carried
forward.
Tue Mayor then called upon Joseph a. Homan,
Esq, Of the Maine Farmer, 10 act as President.
Mr.. llomau returned thanks for the honor confer
ed. The object OF the meeting, as announced in
the call, was to take action in relation to a work
already too long delayed-a work that it is a
sham Augusta has not Consumated before. Thir-
teen years have elapsed since the close Of the
war, which ending IN restoring to US a united
couutry, saved from division by the ofloits Of its
brave defenders to them We owe debt we can
aver repay; we should show something of our
appreciation of their services by erecting a mon
ument 10 their memory lie was glad that le
gal equalization had been formed for airy ing
forward the object, and trusted every man, WON
an and child in Augusta would belong to il.
The Chaii man read a note from Rev Father
Murphy, Of the Catholic church. regrettng his
inabillv to I've present, having been called to Ban
y
enclosed substantial tokens OF that sympathy. He
had presented the subject to his people.
The Mayor read the following telegram from
Gen. w. :. Illton of the Soldiers Home:
ToGUs, Me-, Jan. I, 1873.
To Mayor Nash Cannot come tonight, but you
may command my aid ia every way possible.
w. 5. 1mToN.
Hon. r. ID. Rice was called upon, and said
while he was not in physical condition to sreak,
he woull saw that he most heartily concurrcd in
the Obj ct- Of the meeting, and IN the sentiment
which had been expressed that II ], a patriotic
movement too long DELAYED. The Ciiz Ms of An
gu-'a who have LAID down thcl~ lives in behalf Of
ther country should be gratefully remembered.
lie wa. ready to help carry forward the work.
Rev Mr.. Curtis said lie should he glad to do all
be could 10 promo'e the interests Of this move
ment. lie did what he could as a soldier towards
the reputation of the Union. The need of
monuuen nj is acknowledged by al; it is due
to the living, well the dead. lie did not
believe the people of Augusta were unglaeful-
the movem' Mt had never before been f,iIly inau-
gutated, aud now that it had been he was sure
It won d be carried forward to sncces-fnl issue
l. Will be a good winters work. The time viii
come when The z ayes upon our hilsides will be-
come obtegatea; but lot the names of our mar
tyred heroes be engIaven where our children and
our Ct dIens chill lren nav behold them. 1t was
not Masonic work, but a work for al.
Rvy. DR. Qunhy said he felt there no spe-
cha necessity for talking. His feelings doubtless
armouized with the feelings of all present. that
it is time Augusta should do something in this di
rec ion that will he an honor to the city. All
the cities aud a'gcr towns have monuments, and
he thought Augusta was far behind the times.
living delayed thus long, the effort now should
be 10 have fine mOnument.
MAJ. Z. NJ. FOgldr said that If he had means in
comparison with the interest he felt he would sp-
ply hem in a way that would he far more accept
able han any words Of his. BY the interest man
If stcd, he thought il might be reasonable 10 eS-
7. ct tat before at other year we m ght have the
pleasure of witnessing the erection of a soldiers
monument. All that we have i due TO tie sscii-
fee of human life No nation ever sent forth a
n0ber set of men than those composing the grand
armies of the republic. Let us show III some sub
stantsl way, that We appreciate their work; and
as we all have general interest in this matter,
we must labor to cary 1t forward
Q. d. Baker, Esq, thought that no words were
needed to prompt TO duty. The work had indeed
been too long delayed. We now want a monu-
meut ha Will be worthy the place, and, # posi-
sle, worthy Of those whose memory it shall COM
memOrate. lie felt it especially due from the
younger men, who had 10 participation in the war,
to pat their shoulders to the wheel now. lie
trusted the plan would be for a suitable aud arts-
tic monument that should a. orn and besutify the
city. Among the suggestions was that of Iium-
phal area, Ike those of ancient Rome. 1t would
be most leasing memorial.
l.. f. Plsbury, Esq said it had been the Gus
tom of all civilized nations to honor the brave
deed, OF those who had defended them in the hour
of supreme need. Tbs Is not to benefit the dead,
but to keep brightly burning in the breasts of the
living the fires Of patriotism. He had often won
dered why Augusta had so long neglected the
duly OF erecting monument. The soldier ele-
cnt constitutes the foundation of government
aud social order. Behind the laws and Legislators
and court, must stand the physical power. With |
OFT this, laws would be disregaided and govern
ments prove a failure. He did not care where
this movement onginstcd-it is good one, and
he was heartily in favor of it.
R-v. Mr.. Tilden was called upon and said he
was heartily and thoroughly in favor OF the
IN ovement, and would prefer to act the rest.
Rev.Dr. Qunbv said that he approved OF that
sentiment, and thought the time has now come
for a ton.
Geo W. Jones' Esq, exrl lined the objects of
the meeting, tie organization OF the Monument
a socia'icn, &c, all of which has been given in
these columns.
Hon. Joshua Nye had wondered during the
seven years he ha. resided here, why Augusta had
not entered upon the work. He pledged to do all
in his power personally, aud in the organizations
with which he was conn. cted, towards carrying
forward the work.
a committee consisting of Geo W. Jones, l.. |
l.. Lincoln, 2. NJ. Fogler and c. H. Weber, was |
raised to solicit from the floor subscribers to the
association, and in a little time 81 names were OBJ
tanned.
W. Il. Smith, Esq, was glad of the opportunity |
to say that he sympathzed fully with The objects |
Of the meeting. lie would have been glad to see |
more present. and more personally interested.
Patriotism and 10y atty demanded the carrying out
Of the proposed plan. The history of the rebellion
shows that our people, as general rule were not
wanting 10 respect Ton these who went forward to |
Fl 1.-THE battles OF the nation; but while other
towns had their monuments 1t was ameEtable to |
see that the Capital of Maine had not performed |
its duty. II was due to honor and decency that |
the work should now DC undertaken and carried |
forward.
Geo. f. Weeks, Esq, one of the representa-
lives from Augusta, said he regretted he had not
the power of language t. express what he felt on
this subject He knew the people of Augusta
that they were generous aud noble-hearted. In |
their attention TO the wants of the sick and suffer-
ing soldiers in their DIST ra lying to the support
Of the flag, they had shown true benevolence |
and thoughtlulness that should he ever remem-
beIed by those who had sent thot sons and broth |
ers to the war. La regard to soldiers monu |
mcLt. there had heretofore been lack of concert |
Of action; md now the movement was fully iu-
augurated he thought it would be carried forward |
to completion.
Mr.. Jones communicated the gratifying intci- |
gcnce that JIdge Rec had agreed to donate one
half of the lot opposite ms residence on which TO
lace the monument.
Subsequently Judge Rice confirmed this intel |
ligence, and furthermore staed that be believed |
Mrs. Col. Farwell would donate an undivided |
quarter pant, and gentleman IN this city (undei- |
stood to he Ira ID S'urgis) the other quarter
After further rem ks from judge ttCumb and !