Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-23
Grange,
BELFAsT's CELEBRATION.
Crandest Of Demonstrations Sable. Eloquent
and Timely Words Of Mr.. MiIliken.
Republican Journal.l

grandest demonstrations ever made
here. The places of business and resi-
dences of the Republicans and sound
money Democrats were brilliantly
and many We're deliberately
decorated. The march of the process
sion was in a continual glare of light
from the illuminations of the houses
and lawns, fire works and bonfires
while the ringing of bells. the reports
of bombs and firearms, the footing OF
the steam whistles and horns, made
music not in the least discordant to pa
triotic ears.
The first move of the celebration was
on the arrival of the $50 train. which
brought about 100 passengers from
Brooks and other points up the line.
The Brooks delegation, headed by an
impromptu drum corps of Belfast boys.
formed on the platform, with flags.
baskets of flowers, transparencies and
torches and marched up the street
directly to the residence of Hon. Seth
L. Milliken, where their spokesman,
John H. Gordon, addressed our con-
gresham as follows:
Mr., Milliken: Your constituents
from the little village of Brooks have
made this visit to you to return you
their thanks. and to express to you
their appreciation of the earnest and
patriotic course you have taken in
the campaign which has just closed
in victory, a victory only second to the
victory which was won and sealed at
Appomattox. The boys who fought in
81 have a warm spot in their breasts
for you, who have fought for them in
80. They recognize that your vote and
your voice has always been with them
and for them. Their sons and daugh-
tiers appreciate your services and la
bors for them, and these two young
ladies, old soldiers daughters, have
brought these flowers and present
them to you as an offering of their
kind wishes and regards. If you shall
receive them with the same pleasure
that we present them we shall feel that
we are well repaid.
Mrs. Marie NJ. Hobbs and Miss Vesta
Rose then advanced and presented two
baskets of beautiful flowers. Mr..
Milliken responded as follows:
Mr.. Gordon, Ladies and Gentlemen:
! wish l could summon language ade-
quate to express my deep and earnest
gratitude for this graceful expression
of your good will. Shakespeare says
that the man who hath no music in
himself is fit for treasons, strategems
and spoils.'' And / say that he who
hath not the love of flowers in his
heart is devoid of those delicate feel
ings and that refinement of nature
which make most attractive both men
and women.
These floral offerings, so beautiful in
themselves. more beautiful in their
conception and most beautiful in what
they signify, could not but touch my
feelings very deeply from whatever
source they might come; but 7 cannot
tell you how much more profoundly
they affect me, presented as they are
10y the daughters of old Union veterans
of town whose patriotic sons, SO
many of them, went with alacrity to
the battle front a generation ago to
meet and vanquish their country'S en-
emies.
And yet l am not entirely surprised
by this beautiful tribute. The brave
are always the most generous. They
who magnanimously make great sacri-
fees for others are ever the most CRATE
full for even the smallest Kindness done
to themselves. and it is not strange,
thought perhaps on my part unde-
served, that the daughters of the
heroic men of 1861 and 1865 should
recognize in the tasteful way they
have tonight. the small services which
/ have rendered, as it has been and al
W. min
who by their valor have deserved for
themselves, and those dependent upon
them,sO well and SO much of their coun-
try. He who honors not those by whose
achievements and sacrifices the life of
the nation was saved is not worthy to
be respected himself. He is not the
most ardent lover of his country. He
IS not the strongest believer in it. He
is not the most anxious for its welfare,
lts honor, or its success. He is not one
VINO sees its progress with most pride
OF giories most in it's greatness and
power. He is not the best kind of an
American. He is not to be relied upon
III the nations emergency. He is not a
desirable citizen even in time of peace
FOR he who loves his country, who
ITO liiStltutiulS, WHO uOpe-
the greatest things for it and believes
mat II has high and noble destiny.
cannot but hold in greatest honor, and
as the objects of his deepest affection,
us defenders and preservers. No one
III TINS broad land has more right or
Jason TO rejoice over the great victory
winch You come with bounding and
siatelul hearts to celebrate tonight
'iiah the old Union soldiers and they
"ho represent them. The people have
,o'eo as they fought. Yes, the people
nave declared by an overwhelming
majority at the polls that what our
"'iiles achieved 30 years ago shall be
.ohserved now; that the anarchist and
Soeiailst Shall not accomplish what the
oa'herh rebel failed to do
az insldious attack upon our institu-
lis mas been repulsed. Again the
,.N OF the republic have been most
..sastrousiy beaten. They have this
, ,'.'e met their Appomattox at the bal
~ ooX. They have been routed in al
Isl ~, every great state of the country.
"nerever thrift has followed enter
'piise they have gone down like the
SnIishteous hosts in the battle of
,iacherib before the ayengine
.. OF the Lord More than eight