Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-02
inc Eloquent Memorial Day Address a,
Rev. Q. H. Shinn.


seemed to be general desire and endea, or
among all to honor the fallen, and strsw the
green sod above their graves with blossoms
natures most exquisite gifts
The exercises were conducted under rho
auspices of Seth Williams Post, G. A. r.
and long before the hour announced for the
procession to move, w alter street contained a
multitude of people and long train of car
riages. The line was formed at 2. 80 O'Clock
+. NJ, the right resting opposite Mr.. ALIENS
publishing house. Following was the order
of procession.
John f, Fossett. Marshal.
NJ o. Blackwell, Chief-of-S staff; D. F. Boulster Sur
geon; George Doughty, Asst Adj Cent our
Aides: G. Fred Gannett and VIM Mccormick.
Pullens Band.
Capital Guards, W. ;. Choate, Captain Commanding
Seth Williams Post, No. ID, Grand Army of the Re-
public, J. o. Webster, Commander
National Home Band.
Cutler Post, No 4s. Grand Army of the Renublic of
Iogus. Terence q. Goodwin Commander.
Carriages: Orator and PRECEDENT of the Day
Major F. H. Phpps. Commandant Kennebec
Officers of National Military Home for. Disabled
Soldiers.
State Officers. Augusta City Government
Cffcers Maine Insane Ho pital. Clergy.
Citizens in Carriages.
Pullen's Band numbered twenty men and
furnished its characteristic superior music.
The Capital Guards, thirty-five men, made
good showing, and will evidently do credit
to Augusta at the coming muster. Seth Will
liams Post numbered sixty men, and each
comrace carried a chaplet of flowers in his
right hand. Cutler Post of Togus was hand
somelv represented, there being one hundred
of its members in line. The veterans made
q adJ cd
rally to the length and effectiveness. of the
procession. They were accompanied by the
Home Band, which requires no praise from
us, as its excellence is well known and recog
niZed hereabouts.
The route of procession was along
Water street to Bridge, up Bridge to
State, along State to Green, up Green to For
est Grove, st. Marys and Mt Pleasant GEM
eteries, where the members of Seth Williams
Post tenderly and in touching manner
strewed their tributes of flowers upon the SOL
diers' graves. Rev. J Jordan offered
prayer at Forest Grove cemetery, and Rev.
Geo. r. Palmer at Mt. Pleasant. The pro-
csssion, returning, moved down Winthrop
and State streets to Monument Park. Here
a striking scene presented itself to the eye of
the observer. The monument, symmetrical
and imposing, never appeared at better ad-
vantag. Around the die chung wreathes of
evergreen caught up nv floral rosettes, while
| the entire base b, low the column heavily
draped in bunting. Although perhaps not as
elaborate AS i'll former years the decorations
were quite as effective. The level, green
surface of the park, encircled by graceful
elms, made pretty setting for the monument.
Several thousand people had gathered in the
vicinity and teams filled the adjacent streets,
while sidewalks and other available spots
| Cd hxy
and military formed around the monument
and fifty little misses from the Grammar
School, attired in white, wearing evergreen
chaplets and with bannerets in their hands,
came tripping forward under the direction of
| Principal Robertson and his corps of teach
ers- The girls, clustering around, took seats
provided for them on the base of the monu-
ment, ard sweetly sung america" Rev.
II. J. White offered prayer, and made brief
remarks. Post Officer of the Day O. n.
Blackington advanced, bearing floral wreath
and cross combined which he deposited against
the base of the monument. saying:
"In your name, my comrades, | deposit
these memorial flowers upon this monument,
which represents the graves of all those who
died in the sacred cause of our country. Our
floral tribute shall wither; let the tender fra
terna love for which it stands endure until
the touch of death shall chill the warm pulse
beat of our hearts"
At o'clock the line was reformed, and a
march to Water street followed, where the
procession disbanded The veterans and
band from the Home were at once rendered n
collation. by the Ladies' Relief Corps in Grand
Army Hall.
At the evening exercises Granite Hall was
hacked with citizens, the Post attending in a
body The following was the programme;
Music, PulIen Bahd.
| PRAYER Rev. j. b. Jordan.
! poanopse Band
Orstion. Rev @ II. Shinn.
| Music Band.
singing America, Cherus and Audience.
| Renediotion Rev. II. j. White
Hon. Geo. f. Macomber officiated as Pres
dent of the Day, and on taking the chair
made brief but stirring remarks. which were
greeted by applause. He remembered that
only few short weeks ago the old rebel lead
err, Jefferson Davis, stood on a Southern
platform, end claimed that the cause of the
Confederacy was just, which was warmly ap
plauded 1t seems to me, said Mr.. Macom-
her. that as long as such feeling exists there
ia need of memorial days. Not only should
the memory of the prtrot dead be perpetual
ed bv the Grand Army, but 1t is the duty OF
every citizen to give his aid
Mr. Macomber introduced Rev. q II.
! Sbinn of Deering, Chaplain OF the state En-
I campment, as the orator of the evening. Mr..
Shinn occupied about one hour in a very able
and eloquent production of Memorial Day
oratory. 1t embraced much, and advanced
many new thoughts. Mr.. Shinn's manner was
very prepossessing. and he was frequently
anplauded. Following is an abstract OF his
address:
Mr.. shinn's Address.
He began by saying, at is fitting that 6,
Grateful nation should pause in its accustomed
sct;vities, and on this day of vernal glory
Gather beside the graves of its brave defend
sr." Save to the young who only read the
.tory in history now, the event we recall TO-
dav though like dream in our memories IS
SO real that by no poetic figure can 1t De col
ored into fiction. The dirge or mufiied drum
calls up the past, and all the sad scenes oi aur
battle. field are opened before us. We Keep
this dav in memory of those who came no'
hack. and of those whose wounds only des'n
could heal. Here the speaker instsnced
custom among the Greeks OF keeping Nemol,
al Day. when Pericles or Thucyaidss su un.
sneak an Grafton over the patriotic deao oal,
i'd in fine suburb in Athens, where stooa q.
noble monument marking the spot now ~,
ting that the men who died tor TINS lepuo, LUZ
shnnld he honored thus. Many OF them wer.
amhitions men. They had entered the g,ea
;uh hNDpa. were Bl&H