The Portland daily press., 1892-05-31
THE SOLDIERS OF 81
CONFINED FROM FIRST PAeE.l
Col. CIark's Address.

Col. Clarlk's Address.
the Grand Army:
On this our 25th observance of Memo
rial Day, in the 26th year of the existence
of the Grand Army of the Republican,
when the bitterness of strife has passed
away, and we fully realize that the most
formidable Rebellion known in history
was etfectually destroyed, and the union
OF our states thoroughly and permanent
OF life and treasure, which proves more
forcibly than any words of mine the
duration and intensity of our struggle
for national existence, the flag of our
country marking the soldiers graves in
every village in our land reminds us all
OF their heroic deeds, and teaches us the
impossibility of destroying this Republic.
To this memorial service for our gal
lant dead, we come with sadness in our
hearts, but we do not come to mourn.
We come rather with a feeling of pride
in the achievement of our brothers now
at rest, and of rejoicing in the spirit
which led them to lay down their lives
Tor their country.
Comrades, / offer you my congratula-
tions that we gather here in so full num-
bers after these many years for this holy
duty: that not only those who in our
four years struggle stood face to face
with death in the field, but all our fell
low countrymen unite with us in this
tender tribute to our dead; and that in
years to come when the last soldier of
the Grand Army shall be mustered out,
when ''taps'' is sounded and the lights
are out, our children, the Sons of
Veterans" and all whose hearts beat
with true patriotic spirit, will meet on
this day with reverence like ours, to
cherish the memory of the dead, and
plant the ''stars and stripes" upon our
graves"
Col. Clark then introduced Major Sid
ney W. Thaxter, who spoke substantially
as follows:
Major Thaxter's Address.
Our nation is giving expression in va
rious ways to its gratitute to those who
gave their lives in our Civil War for the
Union and the cause of liberty. One
cannot fail to be struck as he visits the
National Cemetery at Gettysburg with
the considerate care and almost human
tenderness shown by our government in
giving burial on this historic spot to
those who fell in this greatest battle in
the worlds history.
In the midst of this sacred spot rises
the noble monument that commentaries
in stately phrase the deeds of those
whose dust is mingling with the sacred
earth at its base, and whose names are
written IN enduring stone. Although
time will consume these lasting memor-
les of nations gratitude, and will OBJ
hterate the names of its heroes, and all
individual remembrance of those who
made this place famous will pass away,
save only the name of that immortal one
whose simple and majestic words have
consecrated it forever; yet the decide
here wrought and the consequences
flowing from this great struggle will en-
dure and influence the worlds history
till the end of time.
1t would, / conceive, on an occasion
like this, be fitting theme to call your
attention to the fundamental questions
involved IN our great civil contest, to
show how completely they were settled
by the decision of war, to point out the
beneficial effects that have already come
to the South, as well as the North, as
the result of the final settlement of those
questions which vexed our people from
the foundation of the Republic. The
time at our disposal will only permit
brief outline of such theme.
Every civilized nation has continually
pressing upon it problems of political, re-
ligious or social significance; questions
that demand an answer; that will not be
satisfied with a partial settlement, but
insist upon their claims being measured
by the rules of eternal truth and Justice.
The nation that ignores such questions.
or is Indifferent to them has stopped it's
course of progress, and will soon show
signs of decay. 1t was the fortune of
these men we cherish, and whose virtues
we this day celebrate, to have lived at
time when the contest between slavery
and freedom, which had been waged SO
long and at times SO fiercely in the polit-
ical arena eliminated in war between the
North and the South. The irrepressible
conflict between these irreconcilable
forces had to be fought out on the field
OF battle. 1t was fought to the finish.
with no compromise of principle, and the
question of human slavery was settled by
force of arms fully, finally and forever.
The right of secession and state sover-
eighty was also settled fully, and let us
hope forever. No war that was ever
waged had depending upon the issues of
1T such momentous questions as were in
volved in our civil struggle-the life of
great republic, and the liberty of millions
OF fellow men. The preservation Of the
Union know, was thought by large
minority at the North to be the only is
sue at stake, and the only one important
enough to call for an appeal to arms; it
was used as war cry to stimulate the
zeal, and smother the opposition to the
war on the part of those at the North,
whose consciences had never been
touched by the wrong and injustice of
human slavery, but the animating and in
spring sentiment that gave patience
and courage to our soldiers, wisdom to
our rulers, and at last final success to our
arms was that hatred to wrong and op-
preston, that love of perfect liberty
which has its impulse from the Divine
mind, and which has been instilled into
the minds of our northern youth as the
most blessed inheritance received from
their Puritan ancestors.
I do not wish to depreciate the lofty
sentiment of patriotism which called SO
many noble lives to the service of their