Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-07

programme Of the evenings exercises:
Invocation, Rev. r. r. Grimm
Remarks. Past Com. r. n. FogieI
Sin ing OF America" Audience
Reading Of commander.in chiefs letter.
DR.. W. Med avid
Post history, Lewis seihins
Lndiei . artal
Remarks, Rev. X. Y. Grithr
Recitation, Cassie Holmei
Piano solo. Eddie McDavid
Reading, Miss Giidder
Comrade Stafford
Singing, Ladies' QosrteI
b. marks, Rev. l. y. Ross
Clapper and piano accompaniment.
Blaine owen and Euseoe Smith
Remarks, Rev. j. s. Williamson
Recitation, Ralpb Smith
Singing, Ladies' Quartet
Remarks, Howard Over
Singing, Ladies' Quartet
The opening rem afks by Past Comman.
der Fogler we're most fitting. He said:
On April 6. 1866, just 25 years ago. the
A5st post OF the Grand Army Of the Repub.
lie was organized at Decatur, Illinois. with
IL members. Today the order numbers
more than 1000 posts with membership oi
nearly 500, 900, and BY orders from the ma
tional and state departments every post in
the country 10 required 70 celebrate this an
niverssry in spirit and manner worthy OF
the occasion. would here cay that it wal
the intention Of this post to make these
public and to invite all to participate, bu.
no appropriate place could be secured and
we were obliged to enjoy the occasion Ia
our own hall with only limited number IA
Join Us, and to the clergy, the press. the
Relief Corps. the Sons Of Veterans and oil
others who have favored us with theiI
presence, extend in behalf Of this post 9
hearty and cordial welcome, and hope thai
the exercises Of the evening may be of in.
terest to you 40 we'll - to the members
Doubtless the most Of you know
that the cardinal principles upon
which this order was founded on. Fraternity,
Charity and Loyaliiy-s fraternity 90 wide
- to receive oil who served in the army OF
navy to aid in crushing rebellion and tfea-
son, charity so broad in its bsnefactoni
that it has disbursed millions to the pooi
and destitute Of every class. ard . loyalty
as true and devoted ss was shown during
the four years Of shat terrible war which
was to determine whether this nation should
continue to be zone and inrepsrable." And
today this order, the representative order
of the soldiers and sailors, after an exist
ence Of 25 years is acknowledged - one Of
the noblest in its purposes and works OF
known. would be glad to say something
regarding the general history Of the order,
but time will not permit, but to you, com
rades, / cannot refrain from saying that
this occasion must very deeply impress u.
with the thought that q, an organization
the Grand Army has nearly reached the
summit Of its existence or life, and ere
another anniversary shall place its number
on the dial Of time. very large pro-
portion of the comrades now living will
have passed through the dark valley, and
will have pitched their tents within the
shadow Of the dim unknown, but as mon
ument of achievement will remain the
great American republic-the only true
republic the world has ever known, and
within whose bounds there 10 today, thank
God. neither serf nor slave-oDly men and
women living in the consciousness
of the true nobility manhood and
womanhcod. And that starry banr eI
under which those comrades Tough
and upon whose folds were by them en-
blszoned some Of the proudess and grandes
victories ever achieved and won for human
ity, will continue to wave - the ensign oi
that republic which is the realized hope Of
the liberty loving people Of all the ages
Therefore, comrades, however b6ef maJ
be the period allotted to us in mortal form
let US still continue, as best we may, T.
exemplify the principles Of our order, ant
when we shall have laid down the burder
Of life, I sincerely believe that the fselins
Of frsiernai regard we have eiriven to pro
mote will shed the silent tear over our re
mains. that the charity we have exercised
will in tenderness throw the mantle owe
our shortcomings, and that the spirit o.
loyalty we have endeavored to cullivst'
will watch us with eagle eye, ever ready il
the hour of danger to protect and defen,
the nation and flag We love.
The history Of Seth williamsPost is on
long in charitable and loving deeds but th'
occasion would not admit Of giving ii il
ful. The folio wing is the history in brisi
IS given by Mr.. Selbipg:
ON the 27th day Of July 1879. fourteen
comrades met In the armory Of the Capita
Guards 10 Huut's block. the hall nov know
as Novelty Hall, and in prese1ca OF Com
rades Pennel and Windsor b. Smith Of
Boswo.th Post No. 2, Grand Army of th'
Republic, took the obligation and were I'D
misted to membership in the arand Arm,
Of the Republic.
At the election Of officers for the Post o.
the came evening Cjnfs lie John d. Myricl
vas unanimously elected ~ commander
which position he held, till he moved T.
Maseachusetts the following year.
At a subsequent meeting upon tie Yepor
Of committee appointed for that purpos,
the name Of "Seth Williams" In honor O
the distinguished adjatsnt general Of th,
Army Of the Potomac from ito oreaniz stiol
BY Gen. Geo. b Mcclellan ia 1861, 10 th
close Of the var. ard . native Of Augusta
this Ame vas adopted, and No. I3 va
assigned by the department. Of Maine - IL
number.
Our membership beiag small at that tim
and finances corresponding, We cbtaine'
quarters, for our mee,isgs, by using . room
in the Maine Farmer building, standini
then on the site where now ths publ,
buiIding is located. jointly vfth the exam
ining board Of surgeons for the pensiol
office, and By close management were er
sbled 10 meet our sxpsnses.
Recruiting at tbas lime vss SLOW, thougl
there vas plenty material for good mem
beYship la the city. but the prevailing pred
jsdice, enae-dered by The breaking up
o. O Howard Post . few yesrs before
made the endeavor Of building up the pos
hard struggle, and often almost discour
eyed the few Who were trying to make
seccsss Of it.
But perseverance, in q csuse that "
knew was just and right finally gained th
victory. Removing from our limited quar-
ters Ia the Maine Farmer building 10 June
1878, to Darby hall, We began to iacYess
in membership and were enabled to NEE
al demands for expenses easier, but 70
relief Of comrades vs had to rely nsinI
on cur private purses
In JaausSy 1876, from funds obtained b
giving performance In Granite hail, th
"Color Guard, The post furnished iss ON
hall ia the Fuller buiiding. which rename
the home u the post till the dfs Of Febru
asy, 1882. when BY IN Arrangements with Ii
lodge Of Good Tsmplass, Who were the o.
cupants Of Bradbury hall, the post becara
Lessee Of on, present connodius q1asterl
From small be9innine and advefse pr,
1sdies sfse1 stx1ggiing hasd for period I
nineteen jean, ths pose stands today d
1fsh u membefship ~ ths depsstnens q
Marie md SoF1h ID IL amount Of cisbur
msnt s. chsxity during ~ past year.
! DuffnG shs - yeass ef ~ existencs q
number essollsd % ~ Descriptive ~
vns ~ msn- DEN ~ tsaaetay hass I