The Portland daily press., 1883-05-29

| friend OF the poor, but from an economist OF
| an insincere and dishonest type.
| Let then the monument, already too long de-
| layed, be worthy Of our city, Of the fallen he
roes OF Portland, and OF the cause for which
| they laid down their lives.
'sWhen Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns TO deck their hall0wed mould
She there shall dress a sweeter sod,
Than Fancy's feet have trcd.
BY fairy hands their Snell is rung
BY forms unseen their dirge Is sung;
There Honor comes, pilgrim gray
TO bless the turf that wraps their clay.
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there"
SPEECH or HON. !. II. DRuMMoED.
The Hon. j. II. Drummond was next called
for and In substance said:
During the long and not yet distant struggle
Portland did well her part; whore there was a
call for men che sent her choicest sons, when
a call for material aid she was ever ready TO
carry comfort and good cheer to the soldier ia
the field. She loved her sons and believed in
her cause.
Can We go back twenty years ago and re-
member what we told our brothers when our
country called them? We told them we would
not forget them, that we would remember
then, that they would live upon the lips OF
men in story, bust and song.
And how have we kept our promise? Its full
fillment has been long delayed, bat II has all
ways been the fixed intention OF the people OF
this city to keep 1t, and now we call upon you
for help. The number Of these brave men
lessen year BY year, yet daily they bring TO
mind thoughts Of their loyalty, gallantry and
valor on the field of battle for our sakes and
their own. Portland will respond to this ap-
peal and hand down 70 posterity monument
which will tell how well the city appreciated
the noble work of her sons Great applause
SPEECH OF W. H. LooNEY.
w. II. Looney. Esq, city solicitor, was the
next speaker, and said:
That as a Portland boy the blush Of shame
would often mantle his cheek az he saw the
way other cities and villages honored their
dead and felt that in the Forest City no me-
mortal to them appeared.
Surely this was slight thirg TO do for men
who had poured out blood and sacrificed life in
| their conntrys cause. None could be worthy
OF more praise than those who died for liberty
and union for all mankind. Eminently prop
or then and fit Is 1t for as to aid in the erec-
tion Of this monument, that il may stand an
inspiration TO youth, to teach them the lessons
OF government, valor and universal suffrage.
NON. L. D. NJ. swEAT's SPEECH.
Hon. L. d. NJ. Sweat was called upon and
said:
have recently visited several OF our South
ern States, which not many years ago were in
rebellion against the Union, Constitution and
flag OF our common country, but which happi-
ly, are now restored TO us, and may safely be
counted among strong supports OF the grand
arch of our republic.
Progress Is visible everywhere within their
borders-peace is smiling over their genial fer
tile soil, and they earnestly battling for the
golden fruits Of labor and neutrality-suspicious..
But with all these Improvements, for which
we rejoice, there are still remaining some un-
mistakable indications of the night which has
oYershadowed them, and of the frightful Gala
mites which they invited to their own doors.
Their dismantled forts and former strongholds,
and here and there the deserted field and plan
tation, the neglected mansion with its grounds
overgrown with weeds, its shade trees festoon-
ed with the too dense intertwinings OF the sad
and mournful moss and tangled vine, are sug-
gestive Of the blight and desolation of wars
raYages. But all these indications ara fast
passing away and will soon be oDiiierated for
ever, under the magic influence Of peaceful
human progress.
They only linger for little as warning me-
mentoes oian.unjust and nnholy war, toIsindeed
their cause was the lost cause, their banner
was the battered and conquered banner de-
feat attended their arms everywhere, terminal
ing in an unconditional surrender OF all their
claims, and submission to the forces OF the
Union.
And yet with all the historic facts OF the past
confronting their saddened memories, and per-
haps with a clear consciousness OF their fatal
mistake, the utter fruitlessness OF all their
struggles, their devotion to the memory Of
their dead, has, through all these years, been
most tender and constant.
In all the cities which / visited, and in the
places Of lesser population, with meagre means
and poor, / saw lasting monuments raised by
the hand OF affection and grateful remem-
bTance, in honor of the Confederate dead, aud
could but sympathize with, and profoundly
respect tho sentiment which sactuated the sur
viving friends of the brave and chiyalroIs sol
diers OF the Confederate armies. for it is a SEN
timent of which human nature may we'll be
proud, " hich has pervaaed all countries and
peoples, civilized or savage, Christian or heath
en-, Efron. the remotest past 10 the present, and
which does honor TO the heart of humanity
everywhere, and which can never perish.
In witnessing these memorials of affection
my mind naturally reverted to my own city
and tried in vain to think OF any spot within
her limits. where public monument had
| been erected IN memory OF her patriotic sol
dieTs and sailors, who, by their self-sacriticel
their valor, and by their death, gained vic
| tory OF priceless value-shed new lustre on our
arms, and placed the lovers of freedom and
Republican government everywhere. under a
| debt OF gratitude which can mover be repaid.
Why this difference between the Southern
cities and this fair city by the sea-our OWL
| loved home-in respect OF outward manifesto.
! tion, in some enduring form, of her grateful
appreciation Of the deeds OF her own soldiers
and sailors in the cause Of liberty, freedom
and right?
Our cause was just, and it was not 'losi
cause but glofiously victorious. Our ban
! ner, tho ed, was not tho conquered
banner but amid the smoke and carnage Of
the deadly encounter il suppanted the south
! ern cross everywhere, and fioated triumphant-
! ly in the pure breeze of Heaven Ofthe deeds
/ OF our dead soldiers there is no need nor time
| 20 speak. They are matters OF history. Their
| efficiency and endurance were proverbial,
their courage and their loyalty beyond sus
AS the sentinel at the gate Of Pompeii stood
unainchingly az his post when the burning
| dust and ashes from Vesuvius overwhelmed
4 the city and the frightened population fled in
4 wild dismay, and was found many centuries
| later, amid the ruins, with his armor on, and
| his hand outstretched as tx to ward off the fiery
discharge of the burning volcano, SO our sol
| diers when the battle ragged and danger was
| imminent-yes, death certain--stood alike uD.
| flinehingly at their post, till they fell under
| the voleys of the enemies batteries. They, as
well as the Roman sentinel, will stand in al
1 future generations, rs marked examples OF de.
| votiOn TO duty and death in Its service. Ihei
| glory will never fade away. But there Is .
| duty left for us-to aid In perpetuating It te
| those who may follow US.
| Let the hand Of affection and the prompting
of our grateful hearts, freely contribute 70 som'
fitting memorial OF that glory so bravely won
The men and women OF Portland were mos
| generous and constant in their support of ths
| soldiers during the war, and in ministerng {,
| alleviate his wants and suiferiDgs wherever h,
| was, and am happy in believing from the indi
| cations mere t0'nlEhti III luis WASH anu ohthusi
| astie assemblage that the same generosity and
| constancy remain in all their vigor and warmth
| 10 the present moment
! A slight effort ON the part of our people, apC
| from those only who are amply able TO make
It, will accomplish a speedy and complete sue
| cess OF the noble undertaking which has beer
| prosecuted SO earnestly by the distinguished
chairman of this meeting, and by his efficient
associates Of the organization which has the
woak in charge.
SPEECH eF W. II. CLIFFORD.
w. III, Clifford, Esq, was the next speaker
and made an eloquent speech, of which we are
able to give but the briefest possible account
We owe debt 60 the Northern soldierA
which never has been paid. The living real
their reward, and we are constant witnesses o
what their toll has done, but alas for the dead
They need memorial to speak OF a country
| gratitude.
We have our country at fearful price
twice have we received IL from testators whS
bestowed il at the expense Of their lives. W.
| cannot estimate its value, only by contrast
with other nations can we gain slight idea o
what it means. AS we build our monument K
our dead may 1t speak with holier Significance
and with more eoquence for good than any
sign or column which the world has builded
before.