The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-25

G. F. King, Maj. ]. NJ. Andrews.
Tho Afternoon Exercises.
The regular exercises for the afternoon were
arranged to take place at O'Clock Long be-
fore that hour the crowd began to gather, and
by the time announced the executive COM
nittee estimated the veterans present at 5000
while the visitors must have numbered fully
as many. Later this throdg was swelled by
fresh arrivals until there may have been TO-.
600 civilians present.
THE MEMORIAL SERVICES.
At p. m. the great Yale tent was filled to
overlooking not only with ladies, for whom
the exercises were especially arranged, but by
numbers of old comrades. There could be
seen many ladies connected with the various
Relief Corps throughout the State. Mary
were attired in black, most of these being
ladies in advanced years who had never ceased
to mourn son, or middle aged ladies' whose
husbands had laid down their lives for their
country.
The grand stand was occupied by Grand
Chaplain Rev. j. f. Lowering, National En-
campment G. A. R., Department Commander
W. G. Haskell, with Assistant Adiutant
General D. 81. Holman, j. S. Manson, W. K.
Ripley, aides; Chaplain Kelley of the 18th,
formerly, now of the q. s. Army, Rev. Mr..
Philbrook of Westbrook Seminary and Rev.
zenas Thompson, chaplain 9th Maine, and
many ladies'
COMMANDER HAsKELL's REMARKS.
After music by Chambers Band Commander
Haskell said:
Comrades of the Grand Army:-And in this
title l include every man who wore his
country's blue whether on the field or march,
or on the deck of his ship, or whether you are
members of this organization and at its affairs
revived your vows of loyalty and charity, this
executive committee of soldiers and sailors
have seen proper to give up portion OF this
deS to Jou aud OUT .,aon1oliai services n US
May we hold memorial rvice, but this is an
especial occasion, for while l have seen tears
&C urje down the cheeks of men who met here
to-day the first time for Is years--tears of joy
have also seen tears of sorrow for those who
have gone, and therefore it is meet we hold a
memorial service for those we cannot again
greet this side of the golden shore. invite
the chaplain of the 9th, Father Thompson,
as We call him to lead in prayer.
| After a most fervent prayer by Rev. Mr..
Thompson, which included prayer for the
President, the band played dirge.
Commander Haskell then said:
| Comrades When this memorial service
| was arranged it was intended that should
| make a speech, but / was not Maine soldier,
| though Union soldier, and therefore as I
| knowsa soldier of Maine ,who represents the
| Grand Army of the United States I am proud
| to introduce in this capacity Grand Chaplain
Lowering, of the G.. A. R. of the United
| States
| REV. ]. f. LovERING's GRAFTON.
Comrades of the Grand Army Of the Republic,
Veterdns and Friends:
We cannot honor our country with too great
reverence. We cannot feel for our country
| too pure, too ardent, too enthusiastic an affec-
| ton. Cicero, the Roman orator. only uttered
| the common sentiment not of antiquity only
but of the world to-day, when he said ''the
love we owe our country is nobler and more
| profound than that we eve our nearest
kindred, and he is not worthy SO much as the
name of good man who even hesitates to die
in her behalf. Our country What is it2 Is
it the East only with the resounding surges of
the mighty Atlantic beating in ceaseless ex-
ultemus upon her shores? Is it the North only
with her forests Of basam and mountains that
| seem to uphold the vauted dome of the sky? Is
it the South only with her cotton fields white
with mimic snow, with her rich savannahs
| and ricefelds? Is it the West onlv with her
lakes that are seas, with her majestic rivers
and broad spread prairies, with her sunset
shores-where the mild Pacific lifts her waves
on golden sands? Nay, is not our country
more even than the vast territorial area it oc-
cupes. Our country is not only in geographic
cal dimensions, but in principles establishing
| the strength of the nation and in the faith and
love which weld the people together as one.
To-day we may utter the words of New Eng
lands splendid orator, Daniel Webster "UnIon
and liberty now and forever, one and INSOFAR
able"
Devotion to such a country is the supreme
duty of the citizen, 1t is upon the noble
elevation of this conviction of loyalty that we,
comrades, stand to-day LOYALTY means some
thing to you who Taught the nation that the
| penalty ut treason is death and that the hope
of the Republic is one country and one flag
1t is not unnecessary even in these DAYS to i'm
press this lesson upon the nation. We need
more firm and stalwart patriotism-a love
country which rises above the partizan and the
poit an and honors the patriot and the states
| man everywhere. But this lesson needed
especially to be learned a score of years ago.
1861 was eventful. American civilization
had come to that state of progress to find be-
fore it future with closed doors. One door
that might be opened was labeled compromise,
but the brave integrity the awakened con-
science of the North had closed that and bar
red it with steel Another duor was that of
battle. 1t was the prayer of many that such a
door might not be opened. But one day South
Carolina double shotted her guns and dis
charged them point blank against that door.
The blast of wars great organ hurled it open.
| IN the tnTPS0OlO SUOOu Inc SduUb Uub UODI6
form of our martyr President, Abraham Lin
coin. He raised the bugle to his lips He
sounded the rallving cry. The whole North
answered. The people. with the war CRY of
the Revolution on their lips-rose as one man
and shouted, "The Union and the Constitu-
ton, they must and shall be preserved"
Do you ask what was the character orAesu
awakening? answer, il was serious, ca potl-
even unto PRAYER. Everywhere the im.Aou.
ance of the interests at stake was recogn .no
| tt, To-, in, ha nify mansion in
pioneer cabin, in the homes of thrifty com oll-
ana luxury-everywhere pure shirt of sa -.
fee was awakened and everywhere from co
try and city towns. from school houses and
was lifted unto God for His blessing upon the
cause which was known to represent the rights
and liberties of the people and the security OF
the republic.
In those days Massachusetts, spoke with no
uncertain voice. 1t is no disparagement to
Massachusetts. and it is to the honor of Maine,
that the man who led her councils and directed
her noble and patriotic course was a son OF
Maine Mas q uusetts honors her noble war
| Governor jus. ~. Let Maine never forget that
within her borders was the birthplace of John
| Albion Andrew. Let not Malne forget that
the peerless peace Governor OF Massachusetts,
who to-day holds the rellls OF her author. W, is
child of tbs State OF Maine. Why do
| speak of Massachusetts war Governor? Be-
cause there was an incident in his career which
| declares the temper of the people as they took
up the work and sacrifice OF the war. In the
summer of 1867 the Governor had occasion to
send a special messenger to Washington. The
gentleman requested to go sought TO decline,
bat the Governor iusls,ed. before he left,
having consented to obey orders, the Governor
said: "You believe IN prayer, don't your
Yes" was the reply. linen let US pray,
and kneeiing down, the Governor uttered a
prayer of deep feeling and earnest faith. Ii
was a time of trouble--just when the President
! was meditating upon tn uestion OF enamel