Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-02

one star among many,-in the days of its
formation and education, upon some day of
grand review, it, dark masses covering the
plain ~ far a. the eye could reach. or pass
ing before in commander in bounding col
umns canopied With . sheeny cloud of steel /;
or on the marches of its first campaign. full
Of enthusiasm and eagerness to meet the
foe; or encounfering the shock of battle with
the discipline and courage of veterans
answering with the orderly cheers that .'only
people horn to freedom" can give, the wells
Of the enemy; when I have noted rhe
mounting spirits which rose to meet the
times of adversely. making the army
most dangerous then than ever; and later
on, when worn with var, with fearfully
thinned ranks, it still sprang elastic as tenn
pered steel, to each fresh summons to renew
the frsy-in all these scenes when I have
marked their nanly forms. leaders and fol-
lowers alike, their intelligent faces aglov
with courage and determination, my heart
has s~elled within me with admiration
and exultztion that these men were
nv countrymen. Every man of that army
who served faithfully was ennobled by his
service to his country. Every man who gave
his life for her, is trans60ured to hero's
eloquent eulogy of our dead is the peace and
prosperity that make these summer days
beautiful TO US. that fill the land with happy
homes and give the hope and promise of an
untroubled future to the republic.
Reverently and lovingly we lay our gar
lands on the sod that covers our comrades
forms. But We capnot think of them as lying
there. Under the spell of the associations of
this hallowed day there comes before us the
spectacle of a city of white tents extending
over green fields and slopes backed by dark
forests; here and there the flag swings and
droops to each passing breeze the camps are
filled with busy life; evening settles upon the
scene; near and far gleam the camp-ires !;
the roll of drums is heard on all sides and
the notes of the tattoo bueles rise and fall
in sweet cadence until they die in the far dis
tance, and all is hushed. Ii is vision of
that army which has crossed the river and is
resting under the shade of the trees-a COM
mipgling of the past and the eternal
"Love then thy land with love far brought from out
the stored past"
The poets injunction accords with man 8
instinct. The life of man." writes An old
chronicler, lis but a spontaneous flight
through the lighted hall where we sit at meat
| in winter-tide."
| 1t is so short compared with the far out
reachings of the deathless and aspiring spirit
that man seeks to extend and prolong it by
linking himself with the past as well as the
| future. To be an American, means to the
patriots consciousness, a share in all the
achievements and triumphs of his fellow
countrymen since the name began. The
glery of the herosm and sacrifices of our
fathers in the Revolution is the perpetual in
heritance of their descendants. We love our
land the better for all the contributions of its
past to broaden and dignity the life of to-day.
| We of this generation. therefore, may rejoice
in the belief that in the discharge of the du-
ties that fell to our lot we have contributed q
page to the "storied past" which will strength.
en- through all time the love of country in the
hearts of those who shall come after us. That
this is not vain hope is indicated by the
organization of young men which 10 repre-
sented in these ceremonies. Sons of Veter-
ans, you signify by your title and association
that you regard your fathers service as lega.
CIV of which you may be proud. Study the
history of the events that led to the war,
learn the motives, the spirit and the purpose
with which your fathers engaged in it, and
how they acquitted themselves as soldiers
through the years Of battle, and you shall
| find ample justification of your pride. Know
well their cause and what they did for it that
you may report them and their cause Alright
in the coming years. Honoring them and
their comrades you not only perform a filial
duty. but keep alive influences that will
make you. your contemporaries and your sue
cessors loyal and obedient citizens, the STAY
of the country your fathers saved.
| Comrades, few as the years have been since
your soldier days were over. many are the
changes which have been wrought by them.
The arms YOU bore. the uniform you were
4 to ho foctirs NTH vrbioh IN,
were familiar have in great measure been
discarded and superseded. Thes changes,
! like the forest trees that are growing deep
| rooted in the earthworks of your historic
| fields of battle, are symbols of the grand and
varied outgrowths of your experience and
and your deeds. They are not indicative Of
an encroaching oblivion. The essential
characteristics of the patriot soldiers of 81
will never be forgotten or out of fashion.
| The memory of our fellow brothers in-arms
belongs of right to the mighty and enduring.
| 1t will remain living force and inspiration
to each succeeding generation. Whenever
the country calls upon its sons. that memory
will quicken obedience to the summons.
Upon whatever fields and with whatever
arms the future soldiers of the republic may
meet their country's enemies, the thought of
Gettysburg and the Wilderness will fire their
hearts ard strengthen their courage. And
the flag will forever be the dearer because Of
the hosts that were Inarshaled under it fol
the redemption of the Union; dearer vet be-
cause of the thousands who gladly gave thelr
life's blood to assert its honor; and it shall
know no change save the addition OF new
stars to its glorious armament.
The exercises concluded by the singing OF
"America" by the audience and pronouncine
of the benediction by Rev. DR.. Kicker.