The Portland daily press., 1881-05-31

Mrs. A. M, Walker, DR.. Hersom,
Lieut. j. S. Roberts, Comrade C. ii. Merrill,
G. r. Lang, B. c. Pencil,
a. w. Colby, D. L. Mountfort
o. w. Durham, G. N. Trowbridgo
Samuel Fessenden, Charles r. Todd
Charles II. Meserve, Edward A. Roberts
Sidney F. Downing, John A. Forsyth
u y. Kennard, Capt. F. A. G. Bacon,
Charles f. Vanhorn, d. Henry Ste ,ens.
Moses S; bennett, Capt. Geo. W. Thompson,
Charles u. Young. Samuel Clark,
ID. E. Clark George r. Hanna
Washington Conant. Rev. Il. W. 7. Root.
y. ). Roberts, III. A. Gray,
I: L. Record, o. b. Stevens,
w. II. CnaSe, A. 5. Lyon,
F: L. Jones' Joseph Walker,
clarence Abbott, q. w. Whittier.
George E. Bartlett, W. L. Gerrisb.
y. Il. Waterhouse, j. H. Dodge,
Hiram Winslow, Albion Cross,
Lucius IL. Cummings, Nathan Barker.
Joseph Lake, E. w. Bonney
James b. York, william A. Hall
Almond Grover George Chamberlain
George L. Strayton, n. r. Furbush
The soldiers monument was also finely dec.
grated.
Before the Post had finished decorating tho
graves the rain caused stampede of the great
multitude present and the services assigned for
the occasion were dispensed with.
EVENING
II
band concert was given by Chambers Band
before the regular exercises and the following
programme was executed with fine effect:
Selections from Olivette. A udran
Selections from Semiramide. ..... 1900. .Rossini
Holiandsche Cavalry ...................Te Ter Linden
At the conclusion of the concert the Post
entered the hall escorting the orator, chaplain
and distinguished guests The former took re-
SprVpN ON Of bo ~.
latter seats on the platform. Prayer was then
offered by Rev. DR.. Seward, of Plymouth
church, after which A A. Strout, ESQ.,, deliv-
cred the Grafton, of which the following is an
abstract:
Mr.. sTRoUr's GRAFTON.
The orator commenced by referring to the
fact that sixteen years had elapsed snce the
close OF the war, with the Nation preserved
and slavery destroyed AT that time while all
were rejoicing, there was no cause for sadness
because those who had often stemmed the tide
of disastrous fight lay sleeping in honored
graves. Since that hour the prattling boy has
grown to manhood, and the leaders of a coun-
try's affairs have given place to younger gen.
Grafton. The gratitude of the nation remains
unchanged. Others, said the speaker, will in
the future perform the sacred duties you have
taken upon yourselves to-day, and as time
bears us and posterity further from the great
events Oh the CIVIL war, we may hope to see
| feared in yonder square fitting monument
inscribed with the names Of those who, by theil
valor and homage, have deserved we'll of theil
| fellow men
The orator then proceeded to enumerate the
circumstances which led to the great rebell-
ion. These began at tho adoption of the Con
stitution. The doctrine of State rights the in
stitutlon OF slavery, the fact that the South
saw the rapid development of wealth and pom
ulation in the North would soon take from the
former section its commanding influence il
the councils of the nation, made the war iney.
liable. 1t came. The people responded t,
summoned to defend the flag. OF these 80.
600 fell on the field of battle, 100000 of wound
and disease. Tonight they constitute tina
vast army of heroic spirits in whose presence
we stand and whose memories We cherish will
feverent and tender devotion The historian
may record the struggle but there is an nm