Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-28
As TO MEMORIAL DAv.
l. 4. ". win Decide whether 10 Mold rs
Meet on That Day.

held, Tuesday evening, at the rooms of
the Augusta Bicycle Club in this city,
to take action upon the proposed
change in the order of events, to have
the annual State meet held on some
other day than Memorial day as has
been the custom.
The clubs will either be represented
by delegates or. their votes viii be sent
| in by proxy. 1t is proposed that the
State meet be held on the second Sat
urday in June.
The meet win be at Augusta, and the
local wheelmen will do everything for
the entertainment of the ;,uests.
The objections raised to having the
meeting on Memorial day are that it is
not in keeping with the purpose of its
institution, and that the League should
not recognize the day for any such
Chief Consul Charles H. HichbOrn,
although still unable to move about
without the aid of his crutches, will
preside at the meeting.
The following letter from Mr.. HIGH
born explains the situation:
Augusta, April 10. 1896.
Dear Sir:
The bylaws of the State division of
the league provides that the annual
meeting (fall meet shall be held on
Il oh An nj hot cnooto1
ing (spring meet) shall be held on
Memorial day"
At meeting of the division officers,
held in December. the full board be-
ing present, 1t was unanimously voted
that the practice of holding the spring
meet on Memorial day, was entirely
out of harmony with the spirit of the
day, an affront to the sensibilties of a
large portion of our best citizens, and,
therefore prejudicial to the best in
terests of this association.
And 1t was further voted, That at
such time as he saw fit the chief con-
sui should call a meeting of the MEM
bers of the league, to take action upon
an amendment to the bylaws. chang
ing the time of the spring meet from
Memorial day to the second Saturday
in June. In accordance Herewith l
have this day ordered that a meeting
be held held for that purpose. at the
rooms of the Augusta Bicycle Club,
Augusta, on Tuesday, April 2S. at 8
o'clock, p. NJ
l earnestly hope that this division will
register unanimous vote in favor of
the proposed change. The great work
before this association, the work
which shall give it standing and
strength. which shall designate it as
one of the beneficent organizations of
the State, is the reforming of our high
way system. Compared with this move
ment. meets" and runs are mere
child's play. In it we need the active
cooperation of all good citizens. We
cannot expect to obtain that support,
if we show ourselves insensible to the
higher claims of citizenship; if we for
get the heroic sacrifices and lofty SEN
timents which this day commentaries.
This association has no room for the
deluSion that: Since Fast day and
Thanksgiving have outgrown their
original purposes, and become mere
holidays. SO. also. Memorial day should
be or has been, transformed. Thanks
giving day and Fast day We're orgi-
nally set apart for special religious SER
vices; they We're the product of Puri-
tanic religious thought. Ideas of wor-
ship change; forms and ceremonies
change: but love of country. love for
our departed-these never change.
Memorial day is dedicated to the cul-
tivation of these nobler sentiments
Upon that day, a greatful nation puts
oh nff &c
ing. with inverted TORCH above the
mounds of it's martyred dead. pledges
anew its devotion to the memory of
these heroes, and to the cause for which
they made the last great sacrifice.
In their name, and in it's name call
upon every member of this organiza-
ton to set the seal of his condemnation
upon any descration of this day. Let
the expression be so, emphatic that he
who runs may read it's meaning.
Regardless of what may be the prac-
tice elsewhere. let us do right ourselves
and trust the righteousness of our
cause to give breadth and potency to
our influence.
l would not underestimate the value
of coming together. 1t promotes good
fellowship. it stimulates thought. it
broadens vision. But l would not
have these meetings at such time as to
give the public false impression as to
the character of the organization, or
the real work which it has to do.
In case you cannot be present at the
meeting on the 2Sth. l will thank you
to sign and return to me the enclosed
proxy. Sincerely yours.
G. S. HICHBORN.
Chief Consul