Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-05-28

WOuiu De a NATIONAL loss. not nave some
fixed method of marking the fixed turning
points in our history. The nationsi training
as in religion. important facts and principles.
are apt 20 become confused or forgotten. when
periodic and carefaufevival of them is lack
ing. The application of Fundamental prin-
ciples, though the principles themselves may
not be perishable. are only too likely to loose
their freshness and point. unless signally re-
called and eommemorated- Possibly in our
manner Of keeping our older anniversaries,
just mentioned, we have not got the good out
of the wholesome custom that we might.
The Fourth of July Grafton which has come
and takes on a typical character in its frequent
recurrence, has not tended to inspire
lasting admiration or confidence. The eagle
with the spread wings may be an Interesting
spectacle, and afford opportunity TO the
curious and the stactician for taking
measurements, but the tension of the attitude
begets a tired feeling after a while even in
the breast of the most enthusiastic patriot.
Perhaps an attitude of rrpose. suggestive
of reflection. might be more usefuily
adopted. for the eagle is known to be a
sayacious bird. as well as high-fyer. And
though the father of his country NAV have
Jared somewhat better. it NAV be questioned
whether the juvenile experience of our
national hero. at the roots of the historical
tree, with household implement in his hand.
is not more strongly impressed upon the sue
ceeding generations, than the weighier points
in his character and policy.
Now as to our Memorial Day. 1t is held
in view by many sOber-minded people, that il
might be more Eonored in the breach than in
the observance. Its historical "Reminiscences
is in at least one important respect, peculiar
and trying. Il recalls a strife between
brothers, which. though of colossal proper
tons. partakes of the nature of domestic
infelicity, and domestic inielicities are deli
cate things to handle. On this account it has
been strongly urged, that its recurrent cele-
bration tends rather 10 open old wounds and
widen a breach which if left undisturbed,
might close over under the softening intiu-
ence of time. and finally be obiterated by
the ''fiood of years"
gentleman and lover of his country.
said to me the other day, in my opinion it
would be better TO put the plough through our
Lational cemeteries atthe South. II was rather
a thanksgiving, bnt it based on a sincere
conviction and with regard to what seemed
to him to be the best interests of the country
AMI then again there comes to us from the
Southern quarter, at this season especially,
not mere echoes, but clearly articulate NUT
terlngs that 1.-The lost cause is not dead but
only sleeps" and other like sayings. And
so it stands that we are on delicate ground
to-day, and the preacher whose province
it is on this occasion to steer clear of the
Scylla and the Charybdis of religion and
politics, dogmatical, finds himself, { to
mix metaphor, J in slippery places
The matter is worth calm consideration
however, Notwithstanding the risks attending
it. Certainly family f.ud has its accessories
and adJuncts, its recriminations and offensive
..1f ,,,, al ,rt,; huf
pleasant. When storm is byewing and in
progress, there are thunderings overhead and
lightnings in between, aggravated not unlike
ly by a decidedly oppressive atmosphere
But pass the storm, and these things disap-
pear, the results may show more or less dam
age. but on the whole, an improved condi-
ton of things is plainly peDeptible. 1t is
not improbable too. that the party out of all the
rest who, under the circumstances, has re-
ceived the most damage, will be inclined TO
indulge in little private thunder and light
ming of his own, and perhaps the moral at
mosphere will in the end be tine better for it
An artificial brewing of the elements, does
not reach very far, and the stage effect is not
without its qualification to the lockers on.
Now this is serious argument though it be
clothed in heperbole. We are not here to de-
termine the rights and wrongs of this terri
bic strife, much less to dwell on the aggrava-
tons on either hand, which have lent dire
a complexion to the face of American man
hood. We are here rather to note the
deeply engraven lines which a national
contest has laid in upon the face of our
Columbia and note their meaning. And so
while it is easy for us, the victorious side, to
proudly commemorate the brave dead. and
to take satisfaction that they did not die in
vain. harder ordeal remains to our brethren.
a IL
ton for a lost cause, it is not to be wondered
at, in their changed estate. Forbearance
then not unmixed with sympathy for their real
and still present losses. may well become
Our aim is not to aggravate. but to paciticate,
to offer back not in kind, not ta,ints or
vauntiugs, but Cancellation.
And so in this spirit. we NAV we'll keep a
memorial of our National experience, not in
its unhappy adjuncts, but in its grand motive
and results. On either side there NAV proper
lv be given some tangible and touching ex-
preston to the memory and service of brave
men and brave deeds, some tribute of honor
and affection to the sufferings and hardships
of the dead. and to the losses and mourning of
the living. Upon innumerabe green hill
locks. beneath the more genial sun of our
brighter day. we may without rancor or i'll
will. place some emblem of remembrance,
anu pray THAT tue iultT VI All uisGOutSut
may melt away. That, then, ! think would
be rude and unhappy treatment to both per-
sonal and national rememberance, which
would with ore fell swoop, take away the
insignia of a cause for viii h so great sacri-
flee was made, whether right or wrong,
whether in its success or in its failure. The
iconoclastic spirit. "a we know, once from
a small beginning. became the occasion of
rending in twain, the East and the West, in
Christian Europe. Let none be too hasty to
urge a REPETITION of the disaster. The SYM
bol.m of imagery is instructive with
humanity, which is itself clothed in forms
noble and beautiful and which is surround
ed in Gods word by innumerable parallels in
earth and skv and sea. SO we naturally en-
body our sentiment. and give our thoughts
and feelings, our faith and aspirations shape
in some tangible token. Our religion ex-
presses the secret of its power and sweetness
in the cross; and national feeling raises Its
sign aloft in the flag. The stars and stripes
float serenely and majestically on the breeze
that men NAV see and seeing know that they
are under the protection and are of the Nation.
So in our memorial today of one deeply NOV
ing episode in our National career, We sym
bolize our better thoughts and higher aspira
tious for the Nation in the history of which that
episode forms so striking and momentoas a
part Forgetting as far as we can the aggrava.
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