The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-06-20
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1

iaho hcpTcscnCdtIOu WIN OC6OAtcN
Praise.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1
Pennington, June 19-This afternoon
there marched through the streets of
this village several hundred young men,
clad in army blue, with the stars and
stripes futtering above them. 1t was
the parade of the Maine Division, Sons
of Veterans, which is now holding its an
nual encampment here. Conspicuous in
the line of march was the large delega-
tion from Shepley Camp of Portland, who
brought their colors with them and
marched with the precision of veterans.
/ The parade followed the first business
session of the encampment. The advance
guard of the members of the order ar
rived last evening and the noon train to-
day brought crowd of the gallant
sons of patriotic fathers. They found
Pennington gay with flags and bunting
in their honor. The headquarters of the
Sons Of Veterans are at the Hotel Will
lows. The members of the Ladies' Aid
are quartered at the Stoddard House
This meeting of the Maine Division
Sons of Veterans, will include among
those present many well-known members
of the order.
| From Portland there came Col. R. L.
Whitcomb, Capt. Arthur NJ Soule, Past
Commander F.B W.Welch, Adjutant W.
II. Perry, Quartermaster E. A Merritt,
Color Sergeant M L. Stickney, First Ser
geant F. F. Prince, Corporal H. P. Lowell,
Lieut. Barrowes of Brown Camp, of San
ford, Sergeants Cousins and Trafton,
Past Captain A. P. Brown, Hon VIII.
Looney, who is member of Shepley
Camp, is among those in attendance.
The legal profession is also represented
by Hon. L. 7. Carleton of Winthrop and
E, K. Gould, Esq, of Rockland. From
Westbrook there are Capt A. c. Cloudman,
First Sergeant Harry Norris, Quarter
master Edward Smith and Chaplain
| Rev. Geo. e. Leighton. Past Colonel Mer-
| rill of Auburn is here with a large dele
cation from the cities on the A ndroscog-
| in.
COL. WHITCOMB'S REPORT.
Col Robert L. Witcomb read his annual
report Immediately after the opening
| of the session in the afternoon. In his
| report, the commanding officer speaks of
to give the division practical, rather
than an ornamental, administration.
Col. Whitco1nb says he has had the hearty
support in these endeavors not only from
the officers and members of the division,
but from the heads of the national orga-
nization. Especial mention is made of
the fact that the efforts of Ernest T. Nc
Glauf1in Of Presque Isle, have resulted in
the formation of two good camps in
Aroostook county. Reference is made to
the success of the Ladies' Aid Society
and camps which have not yet secured
the assistance of the ladies through the
medium Of this organization, are urged
to do SO without delay. The interest
manifested in the order by the division
officers of the 6. A. r. has been complete
and hearty. Especial acknowledgements
is made of the kindness shown by Past
Department Commader Gilman of Oak
land, and the present commander Major
VIM. II. Green of Portland. The depart
ment of history and historical relics,
which owes its inception and existence
to the efforts of Past Colonel Edward K.
Gould of Rockland, has already begun to
show that its formation was a wise
movement.
Col. Whitcomb calls attention to the
fact that the changes in the constitution,
rules and regulations of the National As
sociation leave open to doubt just the
best plans to pursue. particularly in the
matter of uniform. Some definite express
sion from the members of the encamp
ment touching upon this matter is sug
gested. Col Whitcomb recommends that
sufficient number of copies of the by
with them and thereby remove the neces-
sity now felt by the division officers of
answering host of letters containing
trivial enquiries which are already suffici-
emily answered in the bylaws
4 Col. Whitcomb calls attention to an
important subject, saying under the head
ing Patriotism and Loyalty:
"It is an irresistible conclusion with
me that, as an order, we can make our
loyalty to the memory of the dead heroes
whose sacrifices and services we delight
to honor, more noticeablesand practical by
evident than we now do AS long as it
can be truthfully said that not every
member of our order who can possibly
do SO, is present at the services of Memo
N-- 9AAN teDA y S'1 otAOoO
on Memorial day, just SO long can it be
truthfully said that as an order we are
not perfect in our loyalty to our orders
principles.
. And even if we finally should sue
ceed in obtaining the attendance of
every member possible at those services, it
would still be our duty to endeayor to
win from those outside our order respect
full recognition of the solemnity of the
sweet memorial services. Let us labor
to the end that our conduct as members
of this great order shall lead others to
realize how much worth loving and
honoring are the principles of friendship,
charity and loyalty. People will judge
Of our interest in these principles by the
degree in which we allow our daily life
and conduct to be shaped by them An
earnest living up to the principles of
our order will not only raise us above
possible reproach but will make us the
true type of the American citizen.
Appropriate reference is made to the
loss the division has sustained by the
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