Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-05-22
TnE MAsxrrrDs or rHs CosrEsT WITH
REnEIIiox

TnE MAsxrrrDE or rHs CosrEsr WITH
REBELLION.
MF. Chairman. Of the tuo gentlemen on
these amendments. one Of them vas old
ensugh 10 undeFstsnd shout the vxf. and
probably I'D. refer TO my distinguished
fsiend from Pennsyivania Mr.. Mufrblef. !
do nof undertake 10 teach him or 10 re-
mind him nov in regard 10 the character Of
that great struggle. but to my youthful
friend from Massachusetts Mr.. O'Neii,
Who may have been playing marbles on the
sidewalks in Fall River sben the grant
columns Of Masssetiusetts patriotism, the
worthy desceniznis Of those Who rallied II
Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill,
we're on the march 70 tie defense Of the
nation capital, il does not seem improper
t8as should Offer reminder OF facts of
which perhaps be never ~ fully Impressed,
and certainly Of which he seems now to
have become obiivioes.
want 10 remind my young friend that
the war for the pfesery alton of the Union
vas no holiday parade. II was no military
picnic. II was vast AMI serious matter
my man who gives even 4 cursory glance
over the satiept features of that gigantic
struggle, with its awful consequences To the
homes Of this country, would certainly be
far removed from any feeling Of levity in
il, and surely would hesitate long
before be laid the hand Of inlusIice or par
sinony upon the nations recognition of the
sacrifices il entziled.
In the Union army during tie War of the
Rebellion. according TO Phisterer's Sta,issi-
cal Record, there was grand total of men
devoting their lives to their country's cause
of :, $50, i32, and reducing that number to
an average service Of three years. We find
still that the response of the patriotism and
manhood of the Union reached the almost
incredible figure Of 2.320 go men.
And Of that number who marched to the
sound Of their eountry's bugles, no less
than % ,4+3 were killed in battle or died of
wounds and injuries; ls6,2iG died of di-
sease or in the horrors of prison contine-
ment. and 2f,7l0 died Of other causes, max
ing an appalling roll Of 30+ 1863 lives that
were laid AS voluntary sacrifice upon the
altar of this great and prosperous country.
And yet today, while the echoes of that
great strife still linger in our ears, and be-
fore the tears of its widows and orphans
have ceased to to~, we find, not only $50
lated individuals bat a great political party,
flushed with victory and full of antieipa-
ton of future conquest, inaugurating
its new administration and chal-
longing the sympathy Of great and loyal
people by unfuriing the banner of assault
upon the defenders of the nation-by tramp
ling with ingratitude upon the graves of
these 100000 heroes who died that the ma
ton might live. 1t is pitiful spectacle !
1t is melancholy chapter in our national
life. 1t is an episode that will be regarded
by all the future writer's and readers Of our
history with a sense OF modification and of
shame.
PENNSYLVANIA AND MASSACHUSETTS Mis-
REPRESENTED.
And say in all kindness to my friend
from Pennsylvania, whose splendid state
sent more than $50 900 Union soldiers to
.he field, knowing as he did what that strife
meant, and what it cost, that hope when
he returns from his duties in this House he
will take some other route than that which
leads through Gettysburg, lest the loyal
lead who sleep there in serred columns
where they fell, may rise and reproach him
for attempting to repudiatc the solemn
pledge of Abraham Lincoln. Loud ap-
plause on the Republican side.
To my younger friend from Massachu-
sets, whom regret more than | can say to
find ambitious and eager to lead IN this on
,laught, suggest that he take down from the
shelf, where fear he has allowed the dust
of too many years to accumulate upon it.
some volume of those simple, old-fashioned
histories of the earlier years of our country,
and hope that in reading again of those
Boston boys of the olden time who, on the
historic Common, in their protest to Gen.
Gage, foreshadowed the spirit of the boys
of 1861, he will rehabiltate himself with -
patriotism that will enable him To more just
iy represent the warm hearts and generous
hands of that patriotic city which first and
last was foremost in the defense of the
american Union, and of the noble state
that furnished more than $50, 900 of her
gallant sons to uphold the Stars and Stripes.
heard him the other day with much sur
prise bringing into this debate and citing.
IS in some form or shape an excuse for the
position that he occupies, the name of the
great war governor of the grand old com
monwealth Of Massachusetts,; and | mar
veled that these very walls did pot echo
back to him a protest against summonlng
the shade of John Albion Andrew to count
enance any sort of injustice or uukindness
to the men who saved this country and to
whose cause he was one of the most gcner-
Gus, enthusiastic, and devoted friends.
Governor Andrew was native of my
state and educated on its soil and we are
AS proud of his war record in Maine rs arc
his people in Massachusetts. hold here
modest little volume telling the story of his
life. If the gentleman who now represents
that Boston district desires to find what
we're the sentiments enshrined in the heart
of John A. Andrew what was his
of the absolute iniquity of the
slaveholders' rebellion against the govern
ment; what was his idea Of the measureless
lebt of gratitude the country would owe to
It's defenders, will gladly loan him this
little volume and let him learn from the
lips that though dead yet speak to us, that
ne ought not to have brought the name of
Governor Andrew into this debate on the
-i'ie Of any proposition to strike at the dead
or living defenders of the Union
GovERSoR ANDREWS FEELING TOWARD
THE PREsFRvLRs OF rHI UNION.
commend to every patriot the senti-
uents uttered by Governor Andrew in his
memorable address at Lowell June II, 1875.
when the monument was dedicated in honor
Of Ladd and Whitney, two of the men of
5he Sixth Massachusetts Regiment WIN fell
At Baltimore on the 9TH of April, 1861.
lie said:
l. Is not for me- 10 attempt TO separate the be
slidtrng masses Of transactions and emot IONS
through which We have liV Il. or to rise above. the
influence of those recent events which Mt prpsen,
control aiik" the Imagination and the reason.
But NAV tc.tify Ia the impressions stamped for
ever on our memories an our hearts by tina, great
week in Apfil when Measurements rose up ~ the
>oun'l of the cannunatr of Sumter amt her u litia
ton common. II redeemed the mranness and the
seariness of many prostie life. II was n rrvria-
;Ion of a yrofuaud sentiment. of manly faith Of
glorious fidelity and of love stronger iha' death.
Those were DAYS OF which other in the history
i the war became the parallel. A nd when on n I,
aVFning of the anniversary of the BATH of Lev
ngton, thern came the news along the wires that
the sixth Regiment had been cutting lis way
through he streets Of Baltimore " hosr pavements
we're Redeemed with the blood of Midiiescx. it
seemed II there ,lrsro adpd into stur hsn.ts a
nvst"rnus strength and into minds super
mi illumination.
In many trying experiences of the war we iar I.
watthed. by starlight as well as sunlight, the
doubtful TO- tunes of our arms. But never has tn,
nrw> uf victory. decisive and graud-not even that
of hcttysburg. on which hung issues more tire.
menduus thsR ever DEPENDED on the fortunes of a
single battlefield 50 lflrt us above ourselves 30
transformed our earthly weakness iuiu heavenly
night by y giarions TRANSPORTATION The citizens
vi yesterday were today the hern.s whom history
woali never forget. and .he fallen brave had nut
On the crown Of niartyrdom worthy than u
hundred mortal disdems.
And then that wonderful burst of uuaf-
fecied eloquence with which on December
%, 1855, onlyNa few days before he closed
his services as chef magistrate, on the an
nlver. arv of the landing Of the Pilgrims.