Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-12

am glad to see the old soldiers con-
blnc III the Grand Army of the Republic
1t is the most patriotic association that
was ever formed upon earth. There Is
moro assurance of safety for the republic
in it than in every other organization i'll
the land 1t stands rs wall against the
unpatriotic and un-American spirit which
is altogether too prevalent among those
who were once the nations deadly enemies
and others who fail to appreciate their
country, or to harbor gratitude for those
who bravcly saved it's life
1t is the nucleus around which the
patriotic spirit of the people clusters and
the loyal elements of the nation rally.
1t keeps alive the old love of country in
the hearts of the people, that love of coun-
try which inspired you to accept all the
try's salvation.
1t is continual object lesson ard an
inspiration to patriotism to the rising
generation, and rs such It is worth more
than marble monuments or statues of
bronze to keep before the minds of the
people realization of the cost and value of
our institutions and the sacred du'y of
guarding them against every danger r
am glad that you have organized to
stand by each other. There is no wonder
that your old associations in peril lead you
To 1T, and l contend that your duty to
yourselves and your comrades demands It
Of you.
Other associations like the Masons do
this and we applaud It. Why, then, not
they who have been through the pcrils and
suffcrings of war together for the good of
their country and their fellowmens
Ind ed, think it Is high time that you
should do so. When the malignants who
never did appreciate your services, the
people that have no more conception Of
your heroic efforts and achievements than
q worm has of lions proves, the mug
wumps who are too good for a republic and
too righteous TO associate with honest
American men and women, and the mon
archists. who are not so few as they are
believed to be, make common attack
upon the old soldiers, try to belitilc their
good services to cur country and to man
kind, malign, abuse and try to disgrace
them, then not only In self-dcfcncc but
for the sake of the country and in the name
and interest of American patriotism, you
should stand together, you should stand
together to rebukc the scoffer and defend
the honor of the cause for which you
fought and conquered, as you stood to-
gethcr in the heat and excitement of bat.
tie for its maintenance.
You know easily whence these attacks
come. From the same source from which
comes luminosity to our institutions comes
hostility to those whose brave efforts pre-
served them. The spirit which hates and
fights American prosperity and feels no
Jingle of shame at the dishonor of the
American name, dsregarding its rights
and interests and prestige among the ma
tons of the earth, hates you who shed un
failing luster upon your country by your
achievements for the preservation of all
there is American, making it glorious by
your victories. in all future time They
who in these times are quick and ready to
| haul down the American flag, are in no
degree in love with you who hoisted it
when it mad been torn down and trampled
upon, and gave it prouder position be-
/ fore the nations of the earth than it ever
| before occupied. y r
Gentlemen, if anything can give com
| fort to a man in his declining years and
warm his heart with qualification and
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