Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-01
MEMORIAL DAY
And Its 0bsaYances ALI Over
the State.
h0s0Fs Paid to lhs Memories Of Oar
Departed Heroes.
Bioqusrt Words from 0istsd orators
eoucdipg xnsir Praises.

VAUDEVILLE. May 3o.--Had the weather
today been made to order Of the G. A. R.,
l. cea'd not have suited the comrades bet.
ter fo' their outside parade. The rain OF
the nigbs before put the streets in perfec,
condition, and though the air was ,me v hat
sul!ry, the clouds covered the sun 80 that
on the whole j. was very comfortable.
At o'clock, W. s. Heath post, G. AR,
and Co. II. 2i Regt., NJ. v. NJ, escorted
BY Union band, went to Winslow, where
tue graves and monument were decorated
oy the comrades. The regular G.. A. R.
service was performed, including the read.
iog OF the roll Of honor, and salute to the
dead. The prayer was by Rev. 7. p.
Williams. the choir rendered an approp-i-
ATE selection, and there Was music by the
band interspefsed.
Ia the afternoon at 2 o'clock, the line
was formed in Watervilie. 1t WAS in two
divisions, commanded by Comrades p. s.
Head and o. 2. Richardson. with Ma.
tbaniel Emery as chief marshal, and COM
prised platoon Of police led by Deputy
Marshal CroweIl, W. S. Heath Post, G. A.
r., Carl I'D Camp s. Of V Co. II, I'd
Regt, Nj. V. M, 81. John the Bsptis.
Society, the orator, Department Com
mande' S. L. M Her, the mayor and other
members Of the city government, clergy
men Of the city and those Of the G. A. X.
who were unable to walk, in carriages.
There were also barges containing the
ladies' Of the Relief Corps, and school
children. Union band, led by Fl. 8. Chad
wick, was employ ed by the Post. and St.
tAN fHs.n na f.k,r S11 49,,
Wa.ervills Military Band, Il. B. Hail
leader. The procession made q very ane
appearance, and the streets and cemetery
were thronged with people.
At Piae Grove Cemetery prayer was
offered by Rev. L B. Codding. after which
there was singing BY chorus Of children
from the public schools, aud then the
graves were decorated by the Post. in de-
achments. Benediction by Rev. J. L.
seward closed the exercises here. when
the line WAS re- formed and the march taken
up for Monument Park. Here the services
-ere commenced with prayer bg Rev. L.
H. Hsllock. followed By the school children
IN singing, with the regular G. A. Il. SER
vice, including reading Of the Roll Of
Honor, and salute for the dead, with music
oY the bands iuterspersed.
In the evening, the pouring rain, which
commenced just IS the out door parade was
through, prevented many from going to the
ball, conseq lently the crowd there was not
ss dense IS usu'' on such occasions. The
hall was well f"ed however, and the exer-
iises very interesting. They opened With
. selec by the band, after which Rev.
J L. Seward offered fervent prayer.
Mayor Jones then made q short address,
appropriate to The occasion, followed by
Pcs- Commander Merrick in an address Of
welcome, at 'hs conclusion of which he in-
reduced the orator, Department COM
sisrder s. L. Miller. of Wsdoborc.
Commander Miller briefly referred to the
sacred obligations of Memorial day aud
she duties imposed to assemble at the close
1f such day and review the events which
rske the grsndest chapter in the history OF
rpaf kind. lie traced the history of human
-lberty and the progress of civilization
through the ages Of the dim vista of the
past and showed how truth and genius had
Eriumphed over pre- judice and power. Amer
Ca was suitable ground for that succession
Of heroic struggles which ensued for the
erection Of new states and empires
Despite hardships and conflicts of every
nxture, the thoughts and aspirations led to
the development of the principle of political
.e!f government. Then followed the con-
.lict With the mother country. Iadepend-
-nt G WAS secured, the Federal Constitution
vas adopted and the birth Of new nation
was proclaimed. The nation grew and
grospered but the cloud of -disunion always
fingered in The horizon. The original col
auiss were distinct in their governm ant nd
IN the character of their people. SeciiollSl
jealousy, especially betTeeu the North and
the South existed from the beginning
and thus two diverse nations grew
up to occupy common country.
slavery sud State rights continued
threaten the perpetuity of the
Republic and 7fnslly brought about the
cor II CT which deluged the lard with bio ID,
rhe war came gigantic in proportions, which
originating in the secession OF eleven states
from the Federal nion, ended after four
,esrs in the establishment. Of thst Union on
: !astiag basis and purified the land of the
foul stain Of human slavery. ls WAS war
unparalleled in the history CT the world and
commanded the admiration Of all nations
After referring to .he statistics of the
armies and the part Maine took in the war.
He stated that Watervilie with population
in 1860 of 1899 and but $40 males of q
years and upwards. had furnished 5S2 men
for the defence of the Union. and her roll
Of honor today bears the names OF more
tnsn hundred heroic dead The story of
-uch an uprising flls the heart with euthus-
i..m and patriotic emotions.
1t is idle to contemplate the result which
.ouid have followed the failure Of the
[ siou cause. IL is more pleasing 10
review the grand achie evemenss OF our
heroes in connection with the glorious
results Of ibs supreme struggle f'r liberty.
equal rights and national unity, through
those achievements the people of the
United States are privileged to commemor-
ste the attainment, Of hundred yesrs Of q
government ''cf the people, BY the people
for the people and one enabled to yes-s
of peace for united, happy and prosper
ous republic. the grand heritage OF Amer
lean citizenship.
Following the Grafton, the band played
an appropriate selection, which was received
with great favor, and then the Memorial OF
Flowers, an exercise specially adapted to
,hs occasion, was given by forty-siI girls
and bows, TIE Goddess of Liberty, Dist'ic.
Of Columbia and the States Of the Unioa
being represented. II WAS very pretty and