Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-04
Among the maay good speeches delivered a.

Among the many good speeches delivercaa a.
the Camp Fire Of State Department g. A. T..
at Lewiston. last week, Capt c. A. Bontelle.
editor of the Bangor Wing. responded elo-
quertly TO the toast THE Press" as follows
NJ Commander and Ladies and Gentle
saen IL am a victim Of misplaced confidence
supposed that I should be called upon te
respond 10 The Nary" Comrade Galley
has delivered ms speech. think that there
ranst lave been q conspiracy TO take by sur.
Prise country editor from little provincial
city On the Penobscot, and lose him amid the
magnificent proportions and brilliant decora-
ton. Of til, metropolitan eiiice.
An vas no, a member of the press, dur
ing the war, I can wi,hou, deiicacy give tes-
tinony Of the valuable services Of the loyal
ueN spapers OF the land in that trying period
| You and know that while We were at the
/ front. a battle was to be fought at the rear
I 10 arousing public sentiment, eniisting men,
I and ,ending us word. of good cheer am
proud not only Of belonging to the Grand
Army. but also to that other arIny,-the
I pres,. the loyal press Of Maine.
/ The times have changed. The Boys IN
/ Blue have been mustered out and are now In
rhe rear a. reserves, while our newspaper
press !. on the skirmish line. A voice.
The .ame loyal press" Yes, the same loyal
press Yes. the same loyal press on the
! skirrai-h line, fighting for the principles Tor
shich you fought. ! am proud that am per-
mitte1 to hold an humble position on that
.kirnish line. We ought not 10 falter in up
holding that flag and those great truths for
| which 80 many Of our comrade soldiers lard
down their lives believe in these meetings.
| am glad to see proof in this brilliant assem-
5lage that citizens still care to honor men
xho fifteen years ago fought 10 preserve our
institutions. II is joyful thought TO me
that the men and women Of Maine still de-
light 10 honor men who fought through those
terrible years of suffering and death. That
! same spirit Of patriotism will be kept alive
by those who glory in what the Grand Army
achiey cti-thc preservation of government
If the people for the people and by the peo-
pie. Applause.
Nv comrades, would like 10 speak on
many topic, tonight. For a man in my po-
sition, il is difficult to draw the line but
some things must remain unsaid. l think
may say, however, that the one great thing
for which we fought free government,
for free people, founded on a free, honest
ballot. applause. We have Il reason to
rcjoipc To- night ina new baptism of liberty ia
this State, in anew dedication as il were ofthe
supremacy of the ballot Enthusiastic cheer.
and applause.
The great struggle Of the past few weeks in
Maine has been fought or the same principle
as the people were fighting for when L. :
Grant said, "We'll carry it to victory if il
takes all summer" Applause. II is d
source Of pride to me to know that in these
trouhlous times. the presence of Grand
Army Post in cities and towns, made people
rest more securely. Applause. wish &c
pay q tribute 10 the heroic attitude and loyalty
of our young militia during the terrible or
deals of the past few weeks. | have known
Of conflicting authorities, surprising these
young soldiers by conflicting midnight orders
And have read the answers that the brave
fellows, without regard to politics, sent thrill
ing over the wires. Applause 1t is q
source of pride To Us. or should be, that tn,
LOYALTY of our militia was nurtured in the
camp fires of the G. A. Il. The victory won
Is not victory for to-day, simply, but like
that Of AppomattoS, forever.
My comrades, when you put OIL your uni
forms. YOU entered new battle. The peo-
pie look to you. especially, for examples OF
patriotism and fidelity to those principles al
the foundations of law, order and happiness.
wish to call upon YOU to remember the obi
cations Won owe to those comrades who have
passed TO the eternal camping grounds. Re
member the righteousness of their cause and
strive to perpetuate it forever. Applause.