The National tribune., 1884-08-14
Reuniou Mt old Orcbard.

MORE THAN 5000 Ex-soLDIERs ON TBE
GRoUND-sTIRRING SCENES AMONG THE
OLD VETS.
The Reunion held at Old Orchard Me-, on
the 7th was one of the largest and most enthu-
siastic gatherings of old soldiers ever held in
that State. At an early hour special trains and
swarms of vehicles arrived, bringing in great
numbers of visitors and veterans to the Reunion
grounds. Early in the morning train arrived
from Portland, bringing in Mr.. Blaine, Gov.
Robie, DR.. Williams, Department Commander
of the Grand Army and other distinguished
gentlemen. Mr.. Blaine was received with the
greatest enthusiasm cheer after cheer going up
from the immense crowd on his arrival. He
had not been long on the ground before the old
soldiers became clamorous for Speech and,
after repeated calls, Mr.. Blaine responded as
follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND ARMY OF MAINE:
thank you for the kindly and cordial greeting. The
occasion has been of great pleasure to me in the
renewal of old acquaintances and the recalling of
old of civil life that antedate your splendid
deeds of the war. My mind is carried back TO the
Winter OF 1861 to the excitement the elation, and
at the same time the seriousness and the sadness of
that oniinous and critical era. Ivividly remember
every incident stood on the eve of that
gigantic struggle. When at last the cloud
burst and President Lincoln issued his proclama-
ton for 20 oG0 men, Maine was asked for one regi-
ment. Gov. Washburn Immediately summoned an
extra session of the Legislature. had the honor
at the time 10 be the Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatiyes Patriotism was fervid, confidence
was strong, and we younger members of the Leg
isature q was but 81 years old myself determined
TO do something very bold, something that we
ventured to hope would be rather appalling to the
Confederate Government. Instead of responding
with the one regiment which the President had
asked, authorized the Governor to offer ten
regiments to the National Government and
though entirely unused TO q State debt we empow-
cred the Governor to borrow 81 GOO COO the faith
of the State for immediate use in the equipment of
troops We all felt that we were Dragging. When
we used these big figures we iet sure that ten
regiments would never be needed for such con-
tingent from Maine implied larger force than
Napoleon and Wellington both controlled ON
the field of Waterloo Gen. Flem1ning you far
better than l know the sequel. Our ten regi-
ments were swept into the vortex of war before
the expiration of half year, and we ended by
sending 81 regiments of infantry two regiments
of cavalry, and nine batteries of artillery. This,
with the recruits needed to keep their ranks
full Ia the terrible contest. absorbed more than
10000 men of Maine, draft almost as large
in proportion to the arms-bearing population
as Frederick the Great levied on the provinces of
Prussia IL the hardest pressed period of the
important part of the survivors of that great host
age. JOIN with you IN commemorative services
Tor the unretufning brave for that great host who
died for their country and for liberty. No victory
in war ever assured much good to mankind ;
none ever prevented so much evil. The struggle
Is over and our triumph is celebrated, not with
sense of having conquered foe, but with that bet
ter sense OF having reclaimed knsmen and
brought them back to their own heritage and to
the protection of their own flag Beneath that flag
North and South East and West will all find pro-
lection. Under its shelterlng folds we shall all
dwell together in unity, for are brethren.
The address finished amid storm Of ap-
plause that lasted for several minutes. Re-
marks were also made by Gov. Robie, Judge
Cleaves and Congressman Reed.