Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-24

vcnatcd life when we recall the stirrin:
scenes of which we were part in TIL
greatest conflict Of modern times.
These annual reunions and gather
ings of old battle scared veterans ar,
but continuation of the campfires We
used to cluster around in camp ant
bvouac. They are annual reminders
of the life we used to lead in camp ant
march. Who is not carried back i.
memory to those days that tried men.
souls when he meets again some com
panion of a battle, or a march? | tell
you, comrades. the recollection of thos,
days viii linger longest in our memor-
les, and, perhaps. the last whisper t,
friends in this life will be Il fought :
good fight
AS q regiment the Third Maine ha.
written its mark high upon the scroll
of our countrys history. 1t was one Of
the first regiments in the country to J.,
recruited in response to the President.
call; it was also one of the earlics
regiments in the field and so partici.
pated in the first great battle of the
war, Bull Run. Indeed we were Sc
early on the way to the front that We
We're the first regiment to pass through
the streetsof Baltimore after the MaSSa-
chusetts Sixth. To be sure Gen. But
Ter had taken possession of the city
but, nevertheless, our passage through
was fraugbt with danger and menace.
We do not claim to have put down
the rebellion all alone, but we do claim
that we did our part, and did it well
No regiment from Maine, no regiment
from any other state. stood higher with
the corps commanders than did the
brave old Third. 1t was noted for its
bravery, and on many a bloody BATH
field stood like a tower of strength
against the assaults of the enemy.
Maine was proud of her soldier boys
and had reason to be- but no regiment
did more to deserve the praise and COM
mendation of her citizens than did the
Third The land you fought to save
stands today in the foremost rank of
nations.
Today you can say with truth that
it is the land of the free and the home
of the brave. 1t is true, also, l am
sorry to say, that our shores are being
crowded with undesirab bic classes from
other countries, people foreign in tongue,
in habits and religion. They are men
ace to our free institutions, but by the
help of God. by stringent laws and by
education they will he moulded, in
time. into good and loyal citizens.
This country is something over Que
hundred years of age young and vigor-
Gus, its form of government in some
respects an experiment. its population
Heterogeneous and diverse. But no
creed, no party. no section, no policy
shall dsintegrate these states. which
in my opinion. are destined to reach the
acme of human enlightenment and pro-
gress.
Comrades. the roll of the silent dead
will be called as well as that of the
living. There were those with us last
wear who could answer ''here." when
their names were called. But now they
are silent forever. unless, it be, that in
that undiscovered country they may
be holding their annual reunions ana
we be the ones who cannot respond
when our names are called. All. me,
who knows? 4 distinguished speaker
and thinker of this country has said:
Il am not sure we ought to mourn for
the dead. | do not know which is bet
ter life or death 1t may be that death
| is the greatest gift that ever came from
natures open hands: we do not KNOW
But of one thing | am certain II we
could live forever here we would care
nothing for each other. The fact that
we must die-the fact that the feast
m,,et end brings our hearts together