Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-18
TOcUs.
Decoration Day at the Soldiers Home
THE VETERANS IN LINE AGAIN.

SSs AOA1CQ UP HUN under
'"e carriage wheels on the way to Togus, yes.
.sfuay afternoon. The sun shone bright and
not; the clover, buttercups and daisies bv
'he roadside meekly received their baptism q,
nre and dust. But the day was beautiful A
''o' oreeze tempered the heat. The road
was covered with carriages from Augusta and
surrounding towns. The transition from the
alder-sklrted road to the nicely kept ground,
OF the Home is very abrupt, but also very
pleasant. The stars and stripes were au,,er-
ing in the wind. Blue coats were everywhere
Iogus looked for the time almost like the
scene OF an Old-fashioned muster: wagons
rom country aud town were hitched along
the fences and under the trees. II ia es,;-
mated that fully 1900 spectators were presen,
to witness the beautiful ceremony of deco
| rating the graves Of the dead.
To THE CEMETERY.
After life's fitful fever, the soldier at To,us
mas a beautiful resting place. Two hundred
and ffty-three graves are under the elms and
naples OF thu cemetery. The headstone over
the most recent mound shows that it has
been occupied but few days. An American
nag and cross or wreath of flowers. were
on every grave. A pavilion decorated with
flags and streamers had been erected for the
orator OF the day, Gen. Titon and wife and
friends. -Four hundred and five men were
able to be in line, yesterday; but of this
number every one is suffering from some
malady, loss of limb, or some hidden disease.
Soon the swell of music was heard in the
distance. and the Home Band caue in sight
far down the leaf-hung avenue, PLAYING a
dirge. Behind was long line of blue coats,
rising and falling with the pulsations of the
music like the waves of living sea- Seth
Williams Post G. 4 r., marc he'd behind the
Band, followed by comrades from the Home
Cutler Post, fine-looking and sodierly-
appearing body of men, brought mp in the
rear. decoration hymn was sung by the
Quartette Club of this city, composed Of the
following talent: A. ID. Ward, bass; C. b.
Johnson, tenor; Mrs. Frank Fairfield, So
prano: Miss Copp, alto. Nowhere in the
country is Decoration Day more fittingly OBJ
served than in this little cemetery on the
hilltop. These men who lay their bouquets
on their comrades graves, understand the
significance of the act. year hence some
one may be performing the same office for
them. After dirge from the Band Rev.
Mr.. Upjohn made the following prayer: 80,
God, the high and mighty ruler of the uni
verse, the high and only potentate, king of
kings and lord of lords, hear our petition,
we beseech thee; and grant what we are to
do may be to thy glory and honor. while we
call to mind those who have sacrificed health,
1, A., L. -, 81. To-,
dom, unity, and peace. May peace prevail
in our land everywhere. May those who are
to govern strive to impress upon the hearts
of the people, young and old, rich and poor,
that righteousness exalteth nation but sin
is disgrace to any people. Let thy blessing
rest upon us. Make us perfect in every good
word and work incline our hearts to do thy
will to whom be glory and honor Amen. "
THE GRAFTON.
Cen Tilton then introduced the orator of
the day, Capt. s. w. Lane, who delivered an
able and eloquent address. but of which we
have space but for very brief abstract:
COMRADES: The ceremonies of to-day are
suggestive. The veteran as he stands to-day
by the last resting place of his comrades re-
calls a far-oH scene beneath a southern sum-
He reviews the history of life; he sees an
offering and an accepted sacrifice; he beholds
again events which can never be effaced from
Memory's page though unreccrded by the his
torian's pen.
A little more than 100 years ago to-day
was fought the first regular engagement of the
war for Independence. The cloud-piercing
obelisk on Bunkers Hill bears testimony the
reverence and veneration with which
patriotic people regard those who fought and
those who fell on the 18th of June, 1875. The
actors in that drama of life and death had no
conception of the grand results they inaugu-
rated by their heroic sacrifice. The cere-
monv of this day is the beautiful thought.
horn of the gratitude of Il great people, to set
apart and consecrate one day in the year to
be hallowed through all time to the memory
of the brave spirits who poured out their blood
in defence of the Union. The season OF TINS
offering is most app opriate; the breath OF
heaven is trcmulous with the sweet music OF
natures returning life.
To-day we live again in those scenes OF
war. scenes which are sacredly enshrined in
Nemorv's page. Among these SCARED vet
Grams there doubtless are some from every
state that was loval to the old flag. You
possibly represent nearly every battlefield OF
tho war. To-day we live again the tousome
march: we feel the scorching sun; we SIT
again by the campfire and repeat the story OF
the fight which somehow Is always new.
though often told. We remember tattoo and
fans. on the night before the battle: to many,
alas a tattoo which knew no reveilie
Ills well that we forget not our comrades
deed. and their sacrifices. II is well that
while we keep green their memory IN our
hearts. we forget not their resting place; but
with reverence for their worth and honor Tor
their deeds. bring our wreaths of affection
the tokens of our love-to enliven the SOD
w;,h which their mother earth enfolds them.
| 7, is an ancient custom and one worthy OF
observance and imitation, to garland the
| s.atues of those who were admired ana the
graves of those who were loved, win
wrcaths of flowers and evergreens. The COM
rades who sleep on this hillside may De
ali unconscious of our afiectionate re-
card. our remembrance of their sacrihce,
our offerings of flowers. or OF the tears OF tue
bereayed: bu. it in the economy OF that iar
bevond whittier they have gone, and we are
Fastening. the souls of the departed are
permitted to contemplate the services OF TO-
d.v feel sure they will smile with satis-
S.c,;on upon our floral tributes.
Every soldier who sleeps upon TINS hiiisi'e'
~ rcnoses in the encircling cemeteries OF TINS
United land. or lies where he fell on the neio