Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-18
FittingIy Observed by vete-
rams at National Home.
Congressman MiIliken Delivers the
Address Which Was Az Able One.
The Procession Graves Decorated Exerci
ses al Opera House in Evening.

aDled veteran Soldiers The day was fall
| and warm and hardly a clud was te
be seen in the sky, In fact, it was a Der.
rect day for the occasion. June II Il
the day that is observed here, as man,
OF the veterans are absent on the reg.
ular Memorial day. May 30, to heir
their own place carry out the exercises
The grounds and buildings never looked
inner and the 5000 visitors to the place
were very kindly treated by the officers
who had number of extra police added
to show all around through the differ
ent buildings. which were all open for
the entire day.
AT about 1.3O o'clock, the different
companies began to form around the
buildings, and at o'clock sharp. the
column started for the cemetery. it
being formed as follows:
National Home Band. b. W. Theme,
leader.
Home Firing Party.
Cutler Post No. 49, G. A. r., CYRUS A.
Sturdy Commander
| commissioned Staff
veterans, members OF the Home. under
command of company officers
National Home Fire Department.
AT the cemetery. secluded place on
the top of the hill behind the Home, the
| 1850 veterans We're placed at the graves
and the service here took place. which
were:
Music. National Homo Rand
PRAYER. Rev. ]. P. Nelligan, Catholic
Decoration of Graves.
Whlle the l2Sl graves We're being dec
Grated, dirge was played by the band.
after which the procession reformed
and marched back to the Home. where
it was dismissed.
Between and 5 o'clock an outdoor
concert by the Home band was entoyed
by all who remained. the following
pieces being rendered
March, The American Eagle" Tracy
Overture, America" Tobanj
Inc rose. ar and var, Missud
Clarinet Solo, Mr.. Barrett)
selection from The Army Chaplain
The Darkie's Dream LANSING
war Memories, or a Day in Camp in
lou, Reeves
In the evening the exercises were
held in the Opera house before a large
and appreciative audience, and the fol-
lowing programme was carried out:
Overture. america Tobani
National Home Orchestra.
Song Freedoms Land. America.
To be sung by the entire audience.
Quintet. Home Ties Johnson
Herbert Johnson Quintet Club.
Reading and Responsive Chant.
PRAYER, m - Rev. G S. Cummings
Quintet Club
Baritone Solo. palm branches h, Fanve
Nat,on,i Mr.; VILLA William " Walker. II
words by Gen. Luther Stephenson. mu-
sic by Pucitta, orchestral accompani-
ment arranged by 3. W. Theme.
Herbert johnson Club
Benediction.
Hon. Seth L. Milliken, the speaker of
the occasion, received a royal wei |
come from the veterans who recog-
nizcd in him a warm friend, one ready |
to espouse their cause at all times |
Following is an abstract of Mr.. Mill |
kcn's address:
| desire to express my thanks to |
Gen. Stevenson for this. the first OPP
portunity afforded me to address the |
old soldiers assembled at this home
l propose to speak to you briefly ana |
in an informal way But though in
formal and not to be extended [ hope
my remarks will be clearly expressive
of my appreciation of the Importance
and deep significance of the occasion
and value as a lesson both to those
who engage in it and those who OBJ
serve and read about it.
Perhaps nothing more distinctly
marks the advancing march of civiliz-
alton than the growing and almost
Universal observance of Decoration
day throughout these Northern states.
1t shows. too, how far American civil
i.ation has progressed beyond that of
any of the older nations of other lands
and it furnishes the clcarest evidence
that the finer feelings of mankind are
in this favored country at least, assum-
ing most important role in the great
drama of human life. God grant that
they may ere long obtain the mastery
in the affairs of men and nations.
OF course there has never been a
time since man has recorded his own
transactions in what we call history.
when the nober and better feelings Of
the heart have not asserted themselves
occasionally. And this they have done
most in nations which were the most
enlightened and whose governmo nts
and institutions were formed and con-
troled by the people
Where man is free there he is the
l. ost regarded. There his life is held
TIE most sacred. There his achieve
ments for his fellow men are most
honored. There the premature loss of
his life is the most deplored and
lamented. There his memory, if he
has deserved well of his country, is
most tenderly cherished.
1t was in Greece. the most intelligent
of all the ancient nations. whose civil
ization has reached the highest stage
among them all; whose freedom was
her continual boast: whose men
wrought the best and finest, and
fought the hardest to maintain their
liberty their institutions and their
national supremacy. that the brave
and patriotic were most honored in
their lives and by their posterity 1t