Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-05-24


Memorial Day-Msy 3o-has become a
red letter day" indeed, IN the American
calendar. More than hslf the States of
the Union have made II by law 4 legal
| holiday. By common consent thousands
| upon thousands Of loyal people OF the land
! look forward 20 its observance with a
/ spirit of love. tenderness and thankful
| appreciation. which pertains 70 none other
| OF the anniversaries they delight to cele-
| brate. The growing esteem 10 which II IS
I held Is constant tribute 10 the great or
I gsnization which instituted and perpct-
uates 1.-THE Grand Army Of the Republic
! II Is well for the conservation OF pa
trioiism. for the enlargement Of our
| horizon limited by selfish purposes for the
discharging Of our obligations to those
who stood in the breach aud cemcutcd it
with the blood Of their slain. for the simple
recognition, II nothing farther, OF the
| heroic deeds Of that dlsmembercd genera
Asou tuSh Sbtah. ~ tai4 u HAt~ 10 tue
onward rush of commerce. TO slll the
voice Of thoughtless laughter, and with
bowed heads and open hearts call before
Us from time II time the valiant d,cls Of
| former years.
Our vast extent Of territory il 4 stand
| Ing monument to the valiant deeds Of toe
| boys IN blue. What would have bren the
boundary lines Of our country II The South
had conquered? What woald have been
our wealth. What our population today !?
What are they now?
4 NATloS N DANGER.
Thirtys six years az the principles upon
which This country was founded and for
which our fathers set monarchies a, de-
fiance and threw of the yoke Of foreign
power, stood In jeopardy. The shadow
which marked the progress ~ the worlds
/ civilization seemed about 10 move back
ward on the dial. Our land was the laugh
! ing stock 81 the nati0rs. our credit was
the people was about 10 be pronounced q
failure. The future OF this republic, and
of republican forms Of government. was
to be future OF irreiiicvable ruin Why
did II not come? What hand ayerted the
disaster? What power called forth his
new and wonderful resurrection? Who
extended our boundary lines. put our credit
on n sound basis, made republican form OF
.
of the haud. OF 0O0 900 slaves, made our
declaration Of principles a truth and
no lie, made our nation the greatest
power among the nations Of tue
/ globe, averted from u the sacklng
Of our cities. the burning Of our viii
lsges. the marching of hostile armies
across our fair fields: What power en-
sbles our wealth to increase TO that extent
that it almost surpasses computation Of
man.
LOOMING BACKWARD
/ Go back in history for thirty three years
and there is springing up before YOU an
army of men. They are coming from the
! plough, the work shop, the educational
| halls, professional duties, from every walk
and station. They are coming from the
| bosoms of wives and children, of sisters
and sweethearts. They are leaving the
possibilities Of fame and glory along the
| lines of the vocations OF peace.
With a steady tread they hasten to the
seat of battle They plunge into it, soul
and body. They battle the land with their
| blood. and found cemeteries with their
slain. AS a massive wall of flesh and
| blood they stand firm against the oncom-
| ing food of battle. They conquer for US
at fearful cost, and plant once more and
at all times the stars and stripes on the
ramparts of rebellion.
Twenty eight years ago this giant socie-
| ty sprang into existence. It's number to-
| day within its thirty-eight departments,
each covering state or territory, is near
| ly half million Of men. or its younge t
members few have not passed the age
which renders them by law no longer
eligible for military service, while many
of its seniors had exceeded the limit " hen
the war of the rebellion opened.
1t was fitting and most appropriate that
the Grand Army of the Republic should
have its birthplace in the same city which
was once the home Of the martyr presi-
dent" and that the bones of the saviour
OF his country" and those of the founder
Of an organization made up of Lincolns
"boys 10 blue" should repose in hallowed
places, not far from the banks of the
SaDgamop.
ORIGIN OF THE GREAT ORDER.
twas in Springfield, H.. early In the
year 1866. that Maj. Benjamin F.anklin
Stephenson, who had faithfully served
during the war as surgeon Of the l4th H.
linois regiment, conceived the idea OF an
organization which might cement in civil
life the friendships formed amid the hard.
ships and perils of the war. But he had a
purpose beyond mere fraternity. He be.
lieved that there was need of such an or
ganization to secure legislation for the
care aud education Of the orphans of dead
comrades, 70 provide for their widows
and children, to build homes for homeless
veterans upon whom the hand of adversi.
ty had heavily fallen, and to aid the dis
a5led and destitute in their advancing
years and increasing infrmities. Thus
did this far-seeing soldier seek to remove
from the nation the shame of permitting
men, who saved its life. to live, die and
be buried as paupers in the land theJ
Helped to save. and to comfort and relieve
the necessities OF those dependent upoI
| them