The Portland daily press., 1881-05-31

written history his art may never trace; the
struggle between love and duty that called the
soldier to the conflict; the weary watching for
those who never would return; the sufferings
in camp and hospital; the Joy at the return of
men whose term of service had expired this
can never be written by human hand nor told
by human tongue. And yet the courage and
patriotism of these noble men, worthy de-
scendants of the heroes of Valley Forge, never
faltered and they could not learn how to yield,
and when we consider their wonderful
achievements on land and sea, when we re-
member how navy was created, an army
mustered, armed and fed, an empty treasury
replenished, and the envy and rapacity of for
eign nations held in check, we cannot with
hold our gratitude and admiration not only
for the soldiers who fought upon the field but
for the statesmen who guided the affairs of the
nation.
This vast expenditure of life and treasure
was not in vain. We, who survive to-day,
witness the glorious results of the peace sealed
at Appomattox. 1t prevented our disruption
into petty states; it preserved, by maintaining
the country's unity, the advantage over foreign
governments of nation entrenched between
two great oceans, with no hostile power on
the continent strong enough TO compete with
it in the arts OF war. The grandeur and in-
fuence of people, SO circumstanced, able to
stand unarmed before the nations of the earth
and command their Difference and respect,
must be apparent at glance.
What was the influence of the war upon the
internal economy and growth of the nation
and the future of its institutions? 1t taught
foreign nations useful lesson, opened the door
of immigration and rendered possible the
elevation of both the white and black races in
the south, removed the causes of bitterness
and ill feeling between the different sections
of the country and taught the cost of armed
rebellion as a redress of political grievances,
made the people better acquainted with each
other, and removed groundless jealousies and
many causes of prejudice which often ripened
into hatred. 1t is true the record of the war is
disfgured by the horrors of Belle Isle, Ander-
sonville and Libby Prison, but it is also true
that, in many instances, the evils of war were
mitigated by acts of kindness and chivalrous
courtesy never to be forgotten. We have
demonstrated this government is not only a
union of states but sovereign nation whose
power is the expressed will of an intelligent
and patriotic people.
How momentous then are the duties devol-
wing upon this and succeeding generations for
the preservation of these institutions trans
mitted to our keeping. The orator then
graphically spoke of the growth in wealth
and population since three centuries ago
the American colonies took possession of
this country; and yet vast uninhabited tracts
remain SO that it is within the range of posi-
bility the children of those now living may see
our people number 200,000,000 with the capaci-
ty of the country, for their support not then
exhausted He also pointed out the remarka-
BILE increase of our wealth and development of
resources; our manufactures and inventions
with which we can compete with the cheaper
labor OF other countries; the rapid growth of
towns and cities, that ia other lands have tax
en- centuries to build up. As the country
grows, the national resources will increase,
the national burdens grow lighter. Who then
can portray the possibilities open to our ma
tional prosperity, or measure its influence ON
the destinies of other nations? One European
power has followed our example and eventu-
ailV all Otharc n thu face of the nati0p-
al progress and greatness how poor and unsub-
staltial seem personal ambitions and partisan
triumphs Men die and are forgotten-parties
rise to power and fall to decay. 1t remains for
us to practice those virtues and promote those
institutions which will best preserve the ma
ton to future ages; these are the educators Of
all classes, the presence and practice OF some
form of religious faith, the recognition and
protection of the equality OF every citizen be-
fore the law, the securing full and fair ex-
preston of the will Of the people, every act
that tends to remove prejudice and restore
harmony, every influence leading to deeper
love for the flag. Could the dead comrades
speak they would implore us to subordinate
the strife, Of party, tie, demands OF per,
s sa1:a ambition. to the higher and and
they sacrificed life itself. They would teach
us that purity in the administration of public
affairs is necessary to the promotion Of public
interests and that the general corruption and
Venallty IN republic are the sure precursors
to its destruction. They have left us their
deathless example for our admiring emulation.
They have left us the flag, hallowed by the
memory of their heroic deeds, the symbol of
an undivided nation. May we never prove
recreant to the great trust. Let us turn our
faces to the future with the firm resolve no
action of ours shall tarnish the glorious record
of the past Let US teach cur children how
sacred and holy is the inheritance which they
are to maintain. Then shall the republic en-
dure with no danger to threaten its peace or
cloud its lustre. And, as the genius Of history
shall record the peaceful trlumphs of this
nation, preserved by tho valor of the men
whose deeds we commemorate tonight, and
succeeding generations shall witness the
mi ghty republic. powerful in its union and
glorious in its purposes of justice and humani-
ty, holding its honored way amongst the
nat lions Of the earth, the words of the dying
hero OF Shiloh shall be echoed by grateful
voices, and the verdict of all coming time
shall be, They Did not Die an Vain.
At the close of the Grafton Dr. Seward pro-
ouuced the benediction and the audience dis
persed.
Thus ended a most successful celebration of
Memorial Day 1881.