The Republican journal., 1882-06-22

In the admirable Memorial Address at Bath
hy Capt. G. A. Boutcle of the Bangor Whig.
occurs the following passages which will be
especially appreciated by old soldiers:
The tap Of Il drum; the shrill notes of a fife:
the measured tread Of marching men; the rust
ling Of :attered ensign: the glitter of the sun
shine on ritlc-barlcl and bayonct-how all these
sights and sounds vibrate the chords of memory
and send the thoughts flying backward across
the chasm OF score of Years. to scenes that
seem but the happenings of Yesterday. NV
friends, aS You looked on to-day while Il little
band Of veterans of the Grand Army marched
out along your streets TO decorate the graves of
their departed comrades, did YOU realize that
those mature and frosty-hcadcd men were the
li@ht-hcarted youths who went forth with ban
n"rS flying and bugles blowing at their coun-
try's call i'll those early days of 1861. How the
time has flown on swift and noiseCss wings,
since me thrilling hour when the loyal North
lrapcd 10 arms to aNcngc the assault upon the
Flag. How many Young men and women there
are here Tonight to whom the great struggle
with Rebellion is only Il tradition or a dim and
confused memory of early childhood. How fast
we are drifting from the great events which
rocked the Republic on its foundations and
which to some of us will always seem 50 recent
and 80 vivid.
Have YOU ever thought, my hearers, that pu-
ing infancy has grown to full statued manhood
Hiiltt tilt HlSi Oh Aldlnt were Snatch
ing haSty farcwcllS to SWcethcarts and wives aS
they Went forth to battle for the Union: Vet it
i true that the child who was born while the
battle smoke Of the opening conflict was still
rising over the casemates of Fort Sumter, will
stand at the polls this very year clothed in the
fun panoply of the cnnoblcd citizenship pre-
served at the cost of the lives whose memory
we hold SO dear.
1t seems to me that as time naturally tends
toward forgetfulncss, our chiefest duty is not to
to,Yet: and in this view the beautiful obScrvances
Of Memorial Day become not only tribute to
the dead, but also Il touching and wholesome
reminder of the obligations of the living.
Comrades, our thinning ranks tell us how fast
the leSions of the Grand Army are passing
away. The main body has already crossed the
river and camped on the eternal plains, and we
are but the rear-guard, waiting for the com
mand TO follow. AS one after another answers
the call and goes out through the darkness to
the hight beyond. we grope yainly for the ''touch
of vanished hand" and around the campfire
yearn for another ''voicc that is still" With
every added year your associations become
more precious. and every year should give YOU
more claim to the esteem and gratitude of the
people. You bore yourselves bravey in the
storm OF battle. and you have shown that the
best soldier makes the worhicst citizen. You
have worn your honorS modestly, and have
borne your burdens with manly fortitude. AS
soldiers OF the Grand Army of the Republic,
you wear the proudest of all titles of distnc-
ton, and the little bronze badges you now wear
upon your breasts will be cherished by your
posterlty as more precious than the jewelled
gifts of princes.