Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-01

made them so well known to me,
watched with curiosity gradually kindling
into real interest their affectionate greet
ings in army phrase, until it almost
seemed rs If was among comrades OF my
own G. A. r and my heart went out to
those battle SCARED men without single
thought or feeling of animosity.
Shortly, one of them whom | afterwards
learned was then commander, commenced
distributing buttons similar to the one
hold in my hand, on which is printed
b. c. Il. '97 which is to be the distinctive
badge to be worn at the Confederate en-
campment In Baltimore during the great
exposition in 1897.
AS he was passing my seat he stopped
and handing me this button politely
asked me if would accept it and If l
came to the exposition, make 1t point to
find their headquarters and make myself
known.
l replied laughingly that had an invi-
tation in 1861 to meet them in Baltimore.
but was not very cordially received, and
asked him if he was there His left hand
came out to me Che had lost his right
arm at the battle of Malvern Hills) with
the spontaneous impulse of a brother, and
clasping mine with that hearty grasp that
conld not be mistaken, he replied
Il was there when those Maine fellows
marched thro' Baltimore in juno of '6lt
and realized for the first time what we had
to meet, but come and see us again In
'97 and we will give you a warm recep-
tion and furnish all the ammunition.
And this is the spirit that animates
every true hearted soldier of that great
struggle whether he wore the blue or the
gray;
Upon an hundred battlefeds we met
Where eyes hurled back the challenge that
was given
Where sword, and gun, and deadly bayonet,
Flashed back and forth beneath the blue of
heaven.
But bitter feud was buried in the graves
We sirew today-and kindling thoughts re-
To bind in brothe rhood those gallant braves.
Whose souls the coming dawn OF lasting peace
discern.
And this shall be the well earned red Of war.
The blessings that shall meet us, hand in
hand,
One country, and one flag, whose every star
Shall shine undimmed, forever over all the
laGd.
ClHCt iItphTluS tGt 'iuuTtsS WDlCu i
shah give YOU tonight, devoted mainly to
"reminiscences of those early days when we
were called upon to offer our lives and our
fortunes for the protection of our country's
salvation and honor. my attention has
boon attracted to tho utterances of certain
of our public men in fierce denunciation
of the erection Of monument in Chicago
to the memory Of those who died for a
lost Cause IL is not my intention To
discuss the right or propriety of such
utterances, or the right of such action, by
those who have felt impelled to com
memorate in so signal manner the de-
votion of deludcd men for a perverted
principle.
But on this holy day when patriotism
should emulate the blue heavens above us
in spreading its mantle of peaceful charity
over all our land, | wish to plead with you
Ito barbor nought in malice" against
those whose fratornal love, leads them to
remember their comrades who offered up
their lives as freely as did we; and who
resting today in the bosom Of our mother
earth, lie side by side with those we love.
Sleep on in peace, your sacrifice was not In
vain a new and holier union rises from
the soil on which your blood was poured,
and we who stand today in conscious
strength, may we'll forgive our fallen foe,
nor chde his loyal love for memories OF
you.
G. p. Hatch national bank examiner,