Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-06-11
Memorial Day Services
Brookline, Mass, June 4, 1891.

II. ~
r., Somesville.
Memorial Day came shrouded in man.
tie Of mist, believing with sparkling tear
drops the fair blossoms and the sacred
mounds they were to deck. At an early
hour, unheeding the gathering moisture,
the detailed veterans of South west Harbor
accompanied by the school-children and
their teachers. went forth to plant the
starry flag and scatter floral tributes Of
love and honor DER the low green beds of
departed comrades, and 1t is to be hoped
that all other decorating squads were as
cheerfully assisted by the schools in their
respective localities. At IL A. NJ. Grand
Army Hall at Somesville was filled with
busy throng. tying up and pinning on
breast-knots of fragrant blooms. one
thoughtful lady bringing over one hun
dred tiny bouquets all prepared for the
coat of blue. Anon a burst of martial mu.
sic called an inquirng crowd to the win
dows to be greeted by pretty and inspr-
ing sight: Camp Thompson S. of V. just
returned from decorating the grave of the
honored one whose name they bear. were
escorting the school of ifty-four pupils,
each bearing a bouquet and small flag
Mrs. B. +. Atherton, their teacher. felt
justly proud of her little army of scholars
The order of march was as follows; Mu-
sic, Camp Thompson Sons of Veterans as
escort, James NJ. Parker Post Womsn's
Relief Corps and school. up Main street
and into Brookside cemetery. II seems a
pity that many should fail to hear the
beautiful ritual service and think tenn
porary stand might be arranged for the
Commander and Chaplain. thus enabling
their voices to float out distinctly to the
ears of those on the outside lines. The
fine selection of music was clearly rem
dered. and as the detail scattered at the
base OF the Parker monument armfuls Of
wreaths and blossoms dedicated not only
to the Post nsmesakc, whose dust repos-
es in southern soil. but to all the brave I'M
known, how many sad hearts in that as
sembly must have gone out to
Those deep earth trenches, dug after the
fight,
When wrapped in their blankets, at dead OF
night.
They buried in hundreds. yea. thousands. the
brave
Embracing each other, no mark DER their
grave.
Save simple inscription, but one word alone.
You rrsd 1t with awe. and pronounce ii. an.
khptrH.
With sad and solemn step the Relief
Corps surrounded the grave Of their
beloved president who has gone before"
Mrs. Lucy Allen Somes. and covered the
mound with floral tributes of love to her
memory. \ salute was fired and the col
| umns were marched to the church which
was prettiiy decorated with blossomiug
plants and fsgs, TO listen to an eloquent
address hy a well known comrade the Rev
V. T. Wardwell of Dsmsriscotta. who
knew from personal experience the dan
gers and hardships Of soldiers life
With deep feeling he spoke Of the solemn
significance of the day. OF the mute orators
| all over the land the bright blossoms and
| tiny banners decking the graves Of our he
| roes, whose silent elGquence proclaimed
| louder than tongue of gifted speaker the
| story of valor and tidelity The great
wealth aud natural resources of our vast
| country a. it stood before the civil war
were given with truthful force. then was
! pictured the magic change wrought in
those peaceful scenes by the devastating
breath of the wizard of war The grand
record Of Maine was vigorously set forth
IN contrast TO the dismal predictions of
false prophets who had in the beginning
| declared that our Pine Tr,-e State would
either annex herself 20 the Provinces or re-
| spond to the cali Of volunteers ia luke
warm or half-hearted manner To show
| her loyalty and patriotism the speaker re-
| cited with touching plthos stirring poem
called The LUmbermen Of Maine" r.plete
with deeds of daring and self sacrifice
and wAile listening there rose in my mem
DRY the tender lines Of our poet scout:
| Dear comrades. our nation i, thinking to-day
| OF her glorious salvation, and counting the
| cost
| OF the member, who are sleeping beneath the
| cold cav.
]
That we lost. yet how fondy We cherish their
names;
| How eager to tell OF the deed. they have done:
| Their actions 50 brave that their glory and
fame
Are pictured aud told in the battle. they won.
| Let our nation rejoice then, mid sorrow to-
day
| Let our hearts beat with love for the ti.s Of
| the free.
| While the widows and orphans are kneeling TO
pray.
| Great God OF the universe. humby to Thee.
| And We who safely returned from the fight.
| Would ask Thee most humbly dear Father,
again
To watch DER our actions, that we by Thy
might.
| May show that our comrades have not died in
| VAIN
With keen wit and humorous satire the
speaker alluded to the soldier hating ele
ment; searching among the refuse rubbish
| OF his memory for traces of their pedigree,
he found them identical with a class of
| fossils who made the famous exodus into
Canada about the time of the draft. That
trip was so CONDUCIVE to health and long
| life that they were enabled to return after
the war and unite with their boon COM
panions Of the south, in singing ooh,
Lord, how shall we live at such a dying
rate! unless we can repeal the pension
laws" The statistical figures of reference
proved conclusively. not only the magni-
tude of the soldiers sacrifices to preserve
the Union, but also the vast Importance Of
| the work achieved in the wealth and bene-
fits being reaped by the growing genera
ton. The music by the choir had as usual
been carefully selected and was beautifully
appropriate to the occasion. After the
benediction by the Post Chaplain, the Or
| der marched to G. A. X. Hall and disband-
| ed. SPRAY
Bucksport District Western Ministerial As
| sOcatiOn.
| Summer session will be held at South Or
rington, July 6, and 8.