Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-01
MEMORIAL DAY
Observed Throughout the
State of Maine.
Congressman miI|iken Delivers an
Eloquent Grafton at WaterviIle.
Showers lnteiere At Various Places But Pro.
grammes Carried Out

, the forenoon, the G. A. r. Post and
Sons of Veterans, escorted by Co. II
I'd Regt. Inf, N. G. S. NJ, and the
Waterville Military band. went to Fort
Hill cemetery in Winslow, where the
graves We're decorated.
In the afternoon. after the procession
had formed and marched to Pine Grove
cemetery, the rain began falling and
prevented the service intended for
that hour. However, the graves were
decorated. the members of the Letter
Carriers Association decorating the
graves of John Mclaughlin and Rufus
| Hodgdon.
At the monument, on Elm street
prayer was offered by Rev. FIR. Char
| land, the roll of honor was read. the
monument decorated and the process
sion moved to Common street, where
ranks were broken.
In the evening. at 1.45 o'clock. Mayor
Webb. Commander Ellis and Chief
Marshal Head were escorted by the
band, militia, Sons OF Veterans and the
G. A. \. to the Elmwood where they
received Hon. s. l.. Milliken, who in
turn was escorted to the City hall
The hall was packed to the doors
After a selection from the band. fol-
lowed by prayer by Rev. w. II. Spen-
Ger. Mayor Webb gave the following
address:
Mr.. Chairman. Soldiers and Citizens:
A grateful nation. by Congressional
enactment, has set apart this day for
honor and homage of the heroic dead az
we'll as the living remnant of those who,
with hearts of heroes, secured to them
selves and their posterity an impersh-
able union of the states and liberty to
their fellow men.
Millions of Americans on this day some
in tears and mourning for loved ones lost,
and all with honor and reverence. pause
this day In the pathway of life. in conse-
Grafton of the memories of the heroes
dead and in honor of the soldiers living.
Thirty-flVe years ago frequent public
rallies were held within these walls to
arouse the citizens patriotic duty. Here.
enlistmcnfs were made. and here were
soldiers mustered; from here they started
for the front-some never TO return; while
others white haired.. are still WITH u.s.
They went forth to fight, not for con-
empire; but for liberty for equal rights,
and for humanity.
God frowned upon, secession, and it
I Went out 1T in darkness He smiled upon the
them victory.
Our soldiers gave to us a country more
strongly cemented than ever before-puri-
lied in the fiery furnace of war. and des-
tined to be perpetual-a Union not SO
much by agreement of states as by decree
of it's people: renewed, ratified sanctied,
by the blood and desolatio of war
Soldiers you have given to. us the
srandest country on earth. The world
honors. respects and admires it, and here
at her feet, with all the glories of her
power breaking all about us: We honor
the soldier whose life has been to his
country. Years only deepen our rever-
ence and our love for the noble men
able form.
This days recurrence awakens our
patriotism. our love of country. our love
of the soil We own and till, the blue skies
above us. our rivers and valleys noun
tans and forests: the place where we
were born and lived, and the place where
our kinsman lie buried.
1t endears us to the starry banner that
floats in triumph and stands as a shield
and protection to every American citizen.
high or low. rich or poor.
Today. its waving folds protect A
states. clothed with sovereignty. form
ing an imperishable Union against which
no sword can ever he successfully drawn
The sun does not look down upon a bet t.
ter people or a happier land.
There never was in the history of war
such an army Of men since creation
died under the Stars and Stripes from
1861 to 1863.
Napoleon's Imperial Guard at Austen
ltz or at Waterloo did not fight more
bravely than did the soldiers of the Union
army under Grant. and Sherman. and
Sheridan.
There is a power in patriotism. and "a
force of intelligence. that combined. con-
stitute the overwhelming clements of
power and success in an army.
The Union soldier had a thorough COM
prehension of the principles for which he
fought. The Union army realized the
awful results of defeat to it's country.
Sh1lIp0 tho fold n "a
Their love of country was greater than
their love of life. They fought for one
country. one flag, and fought as if
In four years the Union army counting
every form of conflict. great and small
was engaged in more than two thousand
conflicts.
The country bows it's head. today. in
reverence and in love to the Union SOL
der
We stand and bless their memory and
erations of Americans will rehearsc the
glorious story and rejoice as they behold
the growth of the mighty republic that
has taught the world it's best lessons of
liberty
Every state. every town. every village,
has its traditions. it's sacred memories
tales that it will proudly tell and genera
The city. the people. the country. wei
come you surviving soldiers as YOU stand
with the iiellt of another world beating
and the hearts OF patriots
Gray-haired living heroes-reminders of
the great Union army-you deserve well
Of your country as you approach Fame'S
eternal camping ground.
Hon. Seth l.. Milliken was next intro |
duced and spoke as follows:
l will not attempt to give expression
to the qualification 1 feel. as I meet so |
many of the veterans of those great |
armies which went forth strong. earn |
est, inflamed with patriotic zeal. to |
battle for the nations life. So years |
ago. Then. gentlemen. your eyes were !
bright and clear; your limbs were |
strong: your movements were quick: |
YOU were alert and active. and your |
souls felt the spirit of patriotism with |
all the enthusiasm which the ardor of |
Jouth could give to them.
What you and your dead comrades !
lid need not here be related 1t has
become part of the country's record, |
Ind makes the grandest and proudest
cages Of its history Your task was
Is difficult to accomplish as that Of
,ur Revolutionary forefathers. The