Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-06-11
Memorial Address,



REV. IT. Butler.
hr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mem
bers Of the Grand .Ir,ay
For the second time within a decade,
within eight years in fact, find myself
enjoying the privilege of addressing you
on subject which appeals to kindred
sympathy in all our hearts. Yet notwith-
standing that sympathetic bond which
unites US here to-day, am fully conscious
that stand before you now somewhat at
a disadvantage. For know you will ex.
pect new treatment Of the matter which
forms the subject of to-day's celebration.
But SO thoroughly has the matter been al
ready discussed that know the lesson of
the war must hang in memory's gallery as
cherished and well studied picture
would have good reason TO fear, then,
should | dare Introduce a picture Of the
war here to-day. lest 1t pe found wanting
at least in freshness of color. For YOU are
familiar with every detail.
Consider for a moment what your
sources Of information have been Tie
cold type has warmed to the sui jcct The
fervid voice has reached the height Of co-
quence and the depth OF pstnos in its ser
vice. The great general, who knew SO
well of what they wrote. have published
their memoirs. Thus the prime actors in
the great drama have stood before the fall
en- curtain and received new a last oya-
ton. One by one these great stars Of the
drama have passed from the stage, passed
from the audience of time, and sought
their homes in eternity. The lights are
extinguished; the play in real life is ended.
But the real life is not ended and so the
critics, the men Of to-day review for you
ths doings of yesterday. You have heard
myself You have since listened te men
far better qualified for the task men " ho
stood before and behind the scenes; fell
low warriors who brought the odor OF bat
tie with taeir presence; men skilled in the
science OF analysis, who have dissected the
great fact and laid bare its causes and its
results. But one man has stood here in
your midst the influence of Whose pres
ence i ike that Of the sum Of all the rest
Need say that refer to the matcriaizcd
spirit Of l,G0. the grand old man Of Maine,
the friend and associate OF Abraham Lin
colu: For he has occupied the platform
where now. by your courtesy. | am per
mitted to stand. Aud even a. speak
can imsgine sce hIm standing on the pin
nacl- ~ agc. A. Hannibal Of uld after
the hsri>hip> Of the terrible night. paused
On the Alpine crest TO gaze with gratihri
eye on the fertile plains OF Italy: while
the suuheams >parkl-d 10 the dew for the
gardens were awAkiug under the gentle
touch ~ morning. our Hannibal looks
down from the height be ha- reached. He
has passed through the terrible night He
has lived To feast h- eve on the glurc- OF
young Americas morning. The tears of
the night still liuger but the rays Of peace
lend glory 70 them. Industries. sgricul-
ture, science and the arts education in
general, religion; those gardens that nour-
lsh the republic are awake. The heart OF
the veteran feels the glow Of our peaceful
morning and is refreshed. May he long
pause To breathe its health giving air. He
has spoken 10 you. To many gathered
here the voice was that Of another age
But there are those here who, like to him,
have endured the hardships of the night
and 70 them the voice was of yesterday.
Yet il held the memories of all In exile by
the record of our own dear land that
4 voice of 1860.
With such facts in view, my friends
how can place any reliance on myself to
excite your interest here to-day? do not
rely on my self. | rely on the cause have
to plead. Therefore, almost in the identi-
cal words Of the play would say TO you.
Friends, countrymen, hear me for my
cause, and be silent that you may hear"
| will Introduce no picture of the war.
There is danger of its being overdone or
undsrdone. | can easily imagine the
thousand and one gatherings held for the
celebration of this day and it seems to
me they are still moved by the spirit of the
enthusiasm of victory. Their theme is the
| successful campaign, the successful gen.
eral, their hero. But remember that my
words are Intended especially for the peo-
pie of Ellsworth Glancing at the bench
es before me. l see here nc great general
who planned the battle and then wore the
laurels of the victory; but see the men
who fought the battle and then wore the
scars. whether of victory or of defeat
Besides am not quite certain that It's no.
bier to plan and TO direct than it is to
fight battle in just cause. At all events
my hero is the man irrespective of posi-
ton. l can fully sympathize, too, with
the design which would raise an elegant
monument to the officers and men celebrat-
ed throughout the land for deeds of vaor
tor victories, but we have had few de-
feats. Is there no glory in defeat? Shall
we say of the man who fell in defeat mo
sound shall awake him to glory again?"
For an answer l visit in spirit the field
that was lost. stand on lowly grave
that bears not name. Who rests here?
The body of a man who died for his coun-
try. His position in life is unknown, but
his position in death is marked by the low
ly grave that bears not name Twas a
field of defeat; but he gave his life. Well
then, he is hero enough for me. There is
glory in defeat Tis the glory of man
who sacrificed all on the altar of duty In
reverence l bend to pluck the grass that
covers the lowly grave; and in my hand
find q tiny timid flower; It's natures
monument to the man. We have, perhaps,
forgotten him If so then this little fiow-
er is natures soft rebuke. Its voice is
forget-me-Dot. 'Tis but tiny bowl; but
it's large enough to hold inspiration for
my theme.
What, then, in word is my theme?
will borrow the phrase that holds the
word When the Roman Cassius wished to
move the mind of Brutus to patriotic activ-
ity of thought he remembered that Of all
things earthly nothing was dearer to Brutus