Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-06-04
MEMORIAL DAY.
ADDRESS DELIVERED By HON. LLEw-
LLLYN POWERS, AT RUMr0Rp FALLS,
THURSDAY, NAY 30.


LLLYN POWERS, AT RUMroRD FALLS,
THURSDAY, NAY 80.
III, when | received and accepted an
invitation to address you on this nation
al holiday, set apart and dedicated to
memorial services, in honor of the noble
dead who served In the Union Army In
the war OF 1861, felt confident that no
effort Of mine could do justice to the oc-
casion, permit me to assure you that
that feeling has been both deepened
and rengthen d, since l find myself In
your immediate presence.
am indeed glad to meet and greet the
officers and comrades OF this post, and
so large a number Of the people OF Ok
ford County. 1t has never been my good
fortune before this occasion to visit your
enterprisiug and rapidly growing town
or any part OF Oxford County.
This town Of Rumford Falls has
sprung. Minerva-like, into full-hedged
existence. The rapidity of its growth
has. | am confident, no parallel In the
history of our state. 1t has resembled
the sudden development OF towns In the
West, In this respect, but here the like
ness ceases, for its growth Is healthy ana
has come to stay.
Oxford County and its people have
much in common with my own; both
are inland counties, having no large
towns, cities, or seaboard. Both are
agricultural and numbering counties, In
habited by hardy, intelligent, indus
trious, and patriotic people. Weare not
cursed with extremes Of wealth and
poverty. We are, one and all, compara-
lively upon the same plane Of life. Aud
| venture the assertion that In no part OF
this great country of ours, does the man
of small means, who strives To make an
honest living by the sweat OF his own
brow. have more Of the substantial COM
forts of life for himself and family, than
In the counties Of Oxford and Aroostook.
We can and do point with just pride
and qualification to our beautiful lakes
and rivers, our magnificent forests and
scenery, and to our hills and valleys
dotted DER with refined and happy
homes of a contented and prosperous
people.
We have met here to-day, not "a par
tisans. but as American citizens aud
freemen. TO decorate the graves and re-
call the virtues and struggles OF the
brave men who saved the republic.
The most fitting tribute We can pay TO
coed and brave men, is to initiate their
virtues and obey their teachings.
Thirty years with their changing sea-
sons have passed by, since the close OF
the most gigantic and causeless Rebel
lion this world ever knew. A conflict
that cost the loyal North four billions of
dollars and near 100000 precious lives,
and yet Il has been worth to the cause OF
liberty and free government more than
IL cost.
During this time, Grant, Sherman,
Sheridan, Thomas. and many others OF
that vast host Of officers and soldiess,-all
equally heroes regardless OF rank,-haye
passed TO the great majority beyond the
river" and those that still remain have
already crossed the divide, and the shad-
ows of their lives are now falling ana
lengthening on the other side. Soon,
like the soldiers OF the Revolution, they
too will live only In history, and In the
grateful hearts and remembrance OF their
countrymen.
In any remarks may make In refer
ence to past events, | would not revive
bitter memories or unpleasant recoi-
lections. | recognize the fact that the
war is over, and that all its bitterness
should be forever entombed in oblivion
and forgetfulness. But earnestly believe
that the impossible gulf between patriot
ism and treason, between loyalty and dis
loydlfy. should never be bridged over or
lost sight of; for il Is only by observing
this distinction that the true patriot can
draw safe guidance from the past for the
present and inspiration for the future.
The past so blotted o'cr with mans
inhumanity 10 man, we cannot and many
of US would not recall; still we can
thankfully receive and reverently cherish
the valuable lessons il bcqueaths TO US.
And do most earnestly declare that TO
its brave defenders, both the living and
the dead, this nation owes debt OF
gratitude that II can never fully repay;
many Of whom laid down their lives that
the nation might live and are now buried
In unknown and unmarked graves, be-
meath Southern sky.
That we may better understand and
realize the national obligation TO them,
let us briefly recall those dark days In
that momentous struggle, which some
OF US here to-day can vividly remember.
Let us go back in memory TO that time,
now happily past, when we hardly knew
whether we had country or not; when
with anxious beating hearts and trem-
bling hands. we sought the latest news
from the front; when hope too often de-
ferred made the heart sick when even
the most hopeful almost despaired OF the
republic: when the conscript officers
were In every town and hamlet, and the
habiliments of mourning had come home
TO many families.
Let US contrast this sad but truthful
picture with our present national pros
perity and greatness, with our individual
security and happiness under the equal,
lust, aud wise laws Of united country.
We should never forget, but ever re-
member that it was by and through
their triumphs alone, that in the Ian
guage Of the immortal Lincoln, "This
nation of the people, for the people, and
by the people was not blotted from the
face of the earth" That not one star
was erased from the galaxy that glitter
ed upon the American flag, and that to-
dsy wherever il floats, IL Is the emblem
Of equality and freedom to all, regard
less of birth, race or color: and that its
folds no longer shadow single slave.
And now when we contemplate this
great and united republic with its un-