Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-01

iSr we n 1h1 thteFtathHicit furt ItbeN.
The obsiyAce of Memorial day in
Gardiner ~ss Gaite general In accordance
~ith TIE IL q iest made BY Mayor Spear 10
his proclamation regsrlios The observation
Of the day but few of the stores and
factories remained opeu. The large crowd
n the street was very orderly, each ind
vidusl seeming 70 realize that the day should
be kept sacred to the memory Of the
na,ioral dead. The comrades Of Heath
Post No 6. assembled at Grand Army hall
At . o'clock IN the forenoon and immedi-
steiy vislted the Highsud avenue cemetery
where prayer vas offered and remarks made
by the post chaplain. after which the graves
Of the comrades buried there we're decora
Ted \ | o'clock the post reass mbled and
under ths command Of Comrade Geo. H.
Harrington ~ chief msrsbsl marched to
Water street where the procession was
formed Ia the following order. the right Of
the line resting near The Evans House:
Aar.hai and aids
Platoan of police.
Gardiner bAnd-
Central Street Cadets
Heath Post. q. A X.
Continental Drum Corps
Continental Hook and Ladder Company.
ksgt Hose Company.
Cty Government In carriages
tft2ens III caiflages-
The line OF march was through Wstsr
street TO Brunssicl. up Brunswick, Neal
and Beach. thr ,ugli Wsshingson, Chestnut,
Bruu,- lex s1i Plnmmer, 10 Oak Grove
Cemetery Here the usual decoration .eryi-
ces were held and the line was reformed
and marched through cemetery, Danforih
and Dresden streets to the common where
the services were cou'inued according TO
The foilowirR progrsnnt
Music b, ~. band aud Il. cora,ion of monument.
PRAYER tg the Rev &. 1 Dssn
SinGiug hY tn" aIdi' ur'--' America"
under dir I'll n or Rev j. l.. Monroe.
Reading Of General Orders by Post Commander
MoJau land
oraiiou ~ Rev, II. spencer. u. u.
singing by 'he au1ienc, Nearer my God to
The" "
II. nediction,
After the serVices at the monument the
lire vas reformed and proceeds through
Nine 10 Water street. where It was dls-
missed. The address by Rev. Mr. Spencer
VAS regularly appropriate and interesting
one, IS the speaker wss Il participant in the
great struggle and h.s limb in the de-
fence of his country. Despite the unpiess
ant mis-, aud occ ssiorsl showers which pre-
Wallet during hi. address. he held the At
t, ntion of the large audience TO 8 wonder
full degree by his pleasing manner of
delivery and his manifest interest in the
occasion which called for hi. address.
The Journal ia sble to give the folloHing
abstract:
There are certsln brief passages in life
time that have more significance than the
uhole course of life besides, both before
ant A
more thar all else from the cradle to the
grave So | often thick of the year and a
little more that spent 10 the military ser.
vice of the United States. In many re.
spects il was s period of eliminating inter
,s' for ME in igs inteasi'y Of life and action
and there is no other point in my life of such
thrilling interest that plunge and struggle
that m 'rked The period Of enlistment and ser
vice as 3 soldier under my country's lag.
To me the most precious signifi csuce of
Memorial day il the occasion it offers for
an annual tribute Of love and sff ion to
our old friends and comrades in arms.
Though my own regimentsl c,mrades came
from an Their state, sill | cannot but feel
sense of comrsdeship to every Maine and
Massachusetts soldier. when | remember
that We of the 6ist New York Infantry
were brsvely led into our first battle at
Fair 0shs by Gen. o o. Howard, q native
Of Msine, who los, his right arm at The
head OF our regiment.
Let us keen clearly in mind the true sig
niticsrcs of Decoration day Itisa day
for terdsr and revered memories Of heroic
deed. ard for the revival of those patriotic
sentiments that stirred with a common i'm
pulse the mar'ialled hosts from Maine te
Csiifotnis Other and later friendships
may decay, but let US keep fresh and
green the memory of friendships
sealed with blood. | am iealou.
for the honor of my old comrads a.
at arms Ia these days there is DANCE
OF too great sensitiveness on the subject o.
pensions. There seems to be q great fear
in the minds of many lest our veterans
should all get rich st the country expense
80 not spprehend any danger in that
direction. There are good and suiRc ient
reasons for some pension legislation which
shall Recognize the debt Of this strong. rich
nation to ali those who so generously spraug
to her rescue In her hour Of pa,iI Many a
veteran in the ~sr tsds himself Handicapped
in the struggle for litiog by the severe
strain made upon him in those terrible
csmrsigns. Even il he was not muiilated,
his vigor was sspped. and the weakness and
pains of old age come preulaturely upop
him. II !. really bu, little that thi, has
done for the old soldiers. and there is no
danger that be will make this country poor.
Let US revive the memory Of the veteran
ef 6l as We bis comrades krow him The
purposes that impeiled b IN to offer himself
IS 4 recruit were deep ard earnest, not the
love of fame ard glory or the smile Of a
lady fsir. II was real grit and principle
that carried him through the contest and il
is we'll TO revive Cur reeollections of such
men and connect Memorial day with
thoughts Of such manhood. 1t cost q strus-
gle to give up the cherished plans Of life
Snd run asiie to the certain hariships and
the uncertain issues of . soldiers life. LIE.
Us rot forget and honor such sterling psin-
eiple and such devotion II is fact to be
remembered to the lasting credit and glory
Of the early volunteers, that when their
three years' term Of service expired, the
ms jority Of them chserfully re-enlisted for
the var. II good for rs 70 remember
that such men have lived and some Of them
are living yet.
Another Characteristic Of the soldier was
his uefAiIing confidence in the cause to
which be had given his life ard ability.
Defeat only served to nerve them for new