Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-13

the school house are the twin sisteIS u
modern civilization. s. s. Prentiss was
a native of the State of Maine, brought
mn on a farm and once my near neigh
Dor, his inspiring words for the preser-
walton and perpetuity of this great ma
tor are still treasured in the hearts OF
her loyai people. In the recent unavoid-
able national disturbance, his sons, as he
MIGHT have done himself, followed the
destiny of the State Of Mississippi, but
now that the cruel war is over. and the
sunlight of everlasting Peace has removed
forever the cause of sectional difflcul-
ties. let us all cherish the words Of this
Ioval adopted son of the South, and sever
be true not only to the land OF our adop.
ton but also to the land of our birth, and
al wavs exert ourselves to maintain the
unity of the country and the integrity OF
the Republic"
The State of Maine, which l have the
honor to represent, was until the year
1920, an integral part OF Massachusetts,
and would not have required separate
description had not the State OF New
Hampshire interviewed. We are, there
fore, for two centuries intimately con-
nected with the written and traditional
history and the development of that an
Gent commonwealth. New England
manhood and wOmanhood of today are
the fruits of that true courage and loyal
ty that occupied so prominent a place In
the early history of this country. Under
similar circumstances full complement
Of virtues was developed by southern
bravery and heroism. which still cOntln-
ues. and everywhere distinguishes her
cultured people. Indian 5arbarities, the
trying events of frontier life. the hard
ships of q new country, were common
experiences along all extended line of
coast settlements, and created the strong
est bonds of national dependence and
friendly relationship. When the
mother country attempted an unjust sub
jugatiOn, there was a general uprising
which was not limited by any sectional
boundary but there was united cry
from Maine to Georgia for ''Liberty and
Union now and forever" and the blood
of the Patriots of the two sections min
gled together on the battlefield of this
nation for the inalienable rights of free
men. New England furnished about
one-third of the entire Continental Army.
We meet here today as the defendants
of those Revolutionary heroes, and let us
rejoice together that the Pine tree of
Maine and the Palmetto tree of South
Carolina bend gracefully to the same
friendly breeze. True many of us are
growing gray, but there floats above our
heads the same banner that inspired our
youth, except that its bright folds are
wider, and its glittering stars have in
creased in number. 1t floats over
united and happy people. This nation
was cemented together, and will forever
stand inseparable, in consequence of that
great harmony of principle and feeling
that existed in every section of the coun-
try during the stormy days of the Revo-
luton. One of the greatest American
Statesmen said over half century ago
that "Do States cherished greater harmO-
ny in earlier times than Massachusetts
and South Carolina. Shoulder to shout
der they went through the Revolution,
hand in hand they stood around the adj
ministration of Washington, and felt
his own great arm lean on them for
support"
We meet under the shadow of Bunker
Hill, where the first great battle of the
Revolution was fought, and in sight of
Faneuil Hall, the cradle of liberty. We
meet on the soil of Massachusetts, and as
Daniel Webster eloquently said many
years ago, "There she is, behold her and
Judge for yourselves. There is her his
tory. the world knows it by heart. There
is Boston, Concord, Lexington, Bunker
Hill, and there they will remain forever.
The bones of her sons falling in the great
struggle for independence now lie min
gled with the soil of every State, from
New England to Georgia, and there they
will lie forever" | have spoken of New
England, because that was the subject
assigned to me. | might with equal eff
feet speak of the noble characteristics
and the progress of other sections of this
great Nation, but have not the time and
it would burden your patience. Each
section is an integral part of the whole
and aggregates the glory and the power
Of the American Republic. 1t is pleasant
to dwell upon those historic Incidents, in
there was united development of
greatness and power. The Patrons
of Husbandry as an organization
have nothing to do with the past
national disturbance, for we have
declared that sectionalism is dead and
buried with the past, and there it should
be allowed to rest. When the Southern
Army surrendered at AppOmattox to
Gen. Grant, and the articles of capitula-
ton were under consideration, Gen. Lee,
the epitome of Southern courage and
loyalty inquired of Gen. Grant, "What
shall the men do with their horses"
The magnanimous General quickly re-
piled, "Let the soldiers take them home,
they will need them for their crops." This
sentiment of national benevolence, aud
spirit of unity and the demands and ne
cessities of farm life were recognized
and heartily endorsed by every loyal man
in the whole country. 1t soon after
wards gave birth and power to the ma
tional organization of the P. of II. We
have definitely proclaimed to the world
that the general objects of the Order
have developed national brotherhood
and its members ''are united by the
strong and faithful ties of agriculture"
1--WE have mutually resolved to labor
for the good of our order, our country,
and mankind" These are the objects of
this annual autumnal meeting, and NAV
a kind Providence guide us in our DELHI
erations and course of action, so that
when we return to our distant homes,
we may receive the blessing, "well done
good and faithful servant"
If the gentleman whose lips pressed the