Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-29
Memorial Day.

memorial Lay.
Seventeen years ago the Great Rebel
lion ended. But as the years come and
20, annually. at the season Of flowers,
when the green carpeted earth is the
brightest and the skies the fairest, the
story of patriotism is repeated in every
part of the country whence the Union
armies were raised and recruited. and the
hallowed graves Of those who died for
their country are decked with wreaths
typical Of the love and reverence with
which their names and deeds and sacri-
fees are remembered and honored. This
beautiful custom has become so thorough
ly established that it seems destined to
last as long as the Union stands. The
feelings with which we regard it are
somewhat different from those which we
experienced when it was first instituted.
Then we thought OF the causeless war
forced upon us by the secessionists and of
the precious lives sacrificed to their
hatred of the North. The bitterness oc-
casioned by such thoughts as these has,
however. gradually been wearing away.
so that though we now stand by the graves
of our dead heroes feeling that they
we're wholly right and the rebels
entirely wrong in the war, we have
no wish to iniure those who raised
their hands TO strike down the flag Of this
government. no feeling that forbids us
acting towards them as brethren of the
same nationality. joint heirs in common
inheritance. Yet though time soothes and
softens our feeling. God forbid that our
people should ever forget the lesson of the
war, or fail to honor those whose blood
was split that we and our children and
children's children should enjoy the bless
ings Of this Union and government. 1t
was costly war. There were furnished
to the government TO carry it on, as the
records show, 1866, 999 men, the flower
of our manhood. OF these 2sO.739 per-
ished in battles. on the march, and in
hospitals before the war closed. Thous-
ands more have died since the war of
wounds received or disease contracted in
the army. and other tens of thousands
have had their days filed with pain and
infirmity and their lives shortened be-
cause of their service in the field during
those terrible years when the rebellion
ragged.
As we stand at the graves of the patri-
otto dead this year. we shall think, not
inopportunely. and with perfect propriety.
OF our second martyred President, JAMES
A. GARFIELD. slain in the public service
cruelty, wantonly slain-:just as he had
given the country the fairest promise of
one Of the most beneficent and glorious
administrations the country has enjoyed
since the government began. 1t was sad
day for the American people when Garfield
was struck down by the bullet of the as
sassin. The general woe in this country. the
sympathizing messages flashed from nearly
all nationalities on the globe. expressed the
public appreciation of the nobleness of the
man and the calamity which had touched
this nation. We do well to enshrine the
memory Of such men in the public heart.
to do them honor. to keep their graves
sacred; and we also shall do well TO make
it thoroughly understood that he who as
sassinates President of the United States.
exercising his great Office in the fear Of
God and the constitution and laws of his
country, and with mercy. wisdom and jus
tice, is q criminal OF the basest sort. con-
demned by all people. and deserving in
full measure the execra,ion and punish
mcnt melted out to the miserable Guiteau.
The Kennebec Journal sonfuses things in
ito attempt to prove BY the vote for President
in 1880. that the greenbackers with the ex-
democrats. The electoral ticket was divided.
four electors for Hancock and three for
Weaver. The Weaver electors received Just
- many votes ~ the Hancock electors did.
and there is ~ much sense in saying that the
greenbackers swallowed the democrats as that
the democrats swallowed the greenbackers.
hogvsssirs Age.
II the editor of the Age will candidly
state with what party he expects and in
tends to stand in 1884. be will illustrate
which Of the two parties swallowed the
other. If he has not been swallowed BY
the democratic party, coat. boots. hat and
all, we are incapable Of understanding
his position - defined by the course of the
paper which he conducts. As he has
been swallowed by the democrats so will
al the greenbackers be who vote the
ticket this year with Harris NJ. Plaisted
at ID head.
Another Of our respected and elderly
townsmen. Mr.. Fri Wills. died Saturday
The shafts Of death have fallen thickly
among tho elderly class of our citizens
within : few months.
Republican cancus In this city wednes-
-