Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-01

the heart Of the State to make laws will have
before them q mute but eloquent reminder of
the heroism and devotion of Names sons in
| the past and an ever present incentive TO
patriotic action With the tattered standard
of all Names regiments in your keeping,
with so many reminders of the devotion and
patriotism of the people 10 thar great struggle
you must alike be insensible 10 the eloqdence
of the great deeds and of the sacrifices of
great and good men to be recreant- What
town or city in the broad land can be more
fortunate in its dead? In yonder cemetery
lies one of the grandest characters of the war,
a man whose life was lesson OF lofty devo-
ton to duty and of high minded loyalty TO the
Republic. Commanders came TO and went
from the Army of the Potomac, but sturdy,
faithful soldier Seth Williams was its Adju-
tant- General throughout. In faithfulness,
vigilance and LOYALTY, in that devotion which
cost him his life. he was the ideal soldier.
And there comes TO me TO night the name of
another man who was conspicuous in that
stru ygle, who found his final resting place in
your city. see him tonight, as first saw
him in the Army of the Potomac, stately in
person, with a countenance that was model
of ripe manly beauty, with a head covered
with a glory of white hair. Tonight there
comes back to me his affectionate greeting on
that occasion and his inspiring words: Say
to your men for me. Maine is proud of you. ="
What hearty and affeetionate welcomes, he
gave us when, at the close of the war, We
came marching home. l need not tell you
that refer to that ieryent patriot, that model
Chief Magistrate. that large-hearted man
Governor Samuel Cony. The grass is not
yet green above the grave of another Illus
trious patriot and statesman, who, full of
years and OF honors. mourned by the State,
was, a few months since, laid to rest 10 this
city which he loved so we'll. As a citizen, he
was the best result of New England con-
science and culture; as Chief Magistrate of
the State he was model of integrity and
dignity; as its representative in the
highest legislative body of the Ma
ton. he displayed the highest qualities
of craftsmanship, rare courage in seasons of
public peril. spotless integrity and unfalter-
ing patriotism. As one of the great Senators
who stood by Lincoln and the armies in the
field, on Memorial Day. his grave deserves
the tributes of a grateful people Thrice
fortunate State te have nurtured and then to
be served. and honored by such a man as Lot
Myrick Morrill,.
Comrades: Pardon me few moments
longer. l do not know the names of many
of you. but the light in your eyes
and the grasp of your hands tell me that YOU
are members of the Grand Old Army. To-
night we know nothing of rank, for we are
all proud to be high privates in the rear rank.
Even tow ard those with whom we fought, we
cherish only the kindest feelings. And yet
in doing this we do not propose to wipe
out the distinctions between loyalty
and disloyalty. We are proud of our
achieveme nts tonight because our cause was
rifvl,f hon fnl,t tn-n ata all,
right. We thank God tonight that there is
no North and no South in our political
geography. but a common country to love
and be proud of. To those who fought
against the Union, we have long since extend
ed the hand of reconciliation. We have
nothing but good will for them. Nevertheless
justice S,.mands that we do nothing to relieve
treason of its enormity. A crime in 1861,
is a crime to-day and will be crime forever
On several festive occasions of some
prominence in that maudlin drivel which
follows close upon copious imbibtions of
champagne, loyalty and treason have been
blended as twin virtues. We repudiate the
Union because it is a monstrous injustice and
a bitter mockery of a quarter of million of
loyal dead.
As l look at you tonight, dear comrades,
realize that We are growing old. The
soldiers have whitened your heads: but thank
God, the fervor of as many summers is
garnered up in your hearts. Yes, we are
passing away. Some who marched with you
a year ago have been promoted to the Grand
Army above. Some before me who have to-
day answered to the Post roll-call, year hence
will respond in the land of the immortal. The
common lot of all. death, is not a calamity.
There were those who said fifteen years ago
that the Grand Army would die out. Poor
prophets. The Grand Army will disband
when the last veteran is carried to his grave.
But till that time. the dear old Army will
hold as precious beyond all estimate its high
and sweet comradeship. To-day the ties that
bind US together are stronger than they were
year ago. and next year they will be
stronger than now, because as the sacred
circle is narrowed by death, the love of the
departed will pass into the hearts of those
who survive. Dear old comrades: Let us
kinde the camp-fres oftener, and, living in
the glory and sacrifice of the past, bring to
the present and teach that high patriotism
which alone can sustain the soul of the Ma
ton. And you. young men, to whom the
proud honor belongs of being the Sons of
Veterans, tender greeting. You can do
great work if you will, because you can
nurture in your hearts and keep alive that
thougntful patrlOtlsm so mucn needed ana re-
press the thoughtless and giddy tendency of
the hour which manifests itself in the des-
ecration of this day BY making it season
for frivolous amusement, against which, in
the name of the Grand Army. | enter an in
dignant protest. l invite you, young man,
to turn this Decoration DAY into perpetual
Memorial Day-that you so teach the lessons
of patriotism that. if to crafty the demands
of sentimentalism that is shocked by Wig
orous patriotism and stalwart loyalty, it
should be necessary to drive the plough
share through our national cemeteries and
raze every soldiers monument, that the
spirit of the Grand Old Army shall live in the
hearts of their children and childrens
children forever.
The speaker closed by reading an extract
from ex-Presdent Lincoln's Gettysburg adj
dress.
At Hal1Owell.
Memorial day was generally observed by
the almost entire suspension of business and
work. The weather was all that could be de-
sired. although the showers the dav before
made the streets muddy for the procession.
John B Hubbard Post g A. r.. formed in
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