Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-01
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consequences dependent upon the event
Of your actions were no less important.
The nation waited four years for the
result waited with all the anxiety
which human hearts can feel. Yes.
and the eyes of mankind were upon
you. too. For you were fighting free
dom's battle, and the prayers of every
liberty-loving soul went up for you, as
the frown of every oppressor was upon
you.
What did you bring home from the
battlefield. Was it a tale of misfort-
unes and defeats? Was it an excuse
for failure?
What had you to say to mankind?
Was it that you had allowed the tide
of progress to be rolled back, and the
best hopes of the race to be disap-
pointed in the disruption of your coun-
try?
No, not this, nothing like it. You re-
turned with your task accomplished;
your country's enemies conquered; it's
cause fully indicated: the Union re-
stored; no one in all its broad domain
showing it resistance, and mankind
triumphant in your great victory.
Why, then, should you not assemble
as you are doing here, today, and as
your comrades are doing all over the
North to commemorate your achieve
ments and bring the tender, fearful
tributes of your affection to place
upon the graves of those who fought
and struggled in the same cause with
you in the great contest. but who have
crossed the dark and shadowy river to
the shining shores beyond? Nothing
could be more beautiful than the cere-
monies of this day. nothing could be
more useful.
The gathering of fragrant flowers
and placing them upon the graves of
the loved and honored dead, has in it
something so refining. something so
delicate in it's expression of grief and
regret for the departed loved ones,
that it appeals to every generous and
exalted feeling of the human heart.
The eloquence of oratory the fcrvid
lines of poetry. the graphic sentences
of description, pale and appear feeble
in the presence of these silent but
deeply meaning ceremonies. Through
them the heart speaks what the tongue
cannot utter, and to them do the peo-
pie turn to give expression to what
words cannot say.
Is there mind so stupid that it can
not comprehend their significance,
heart so hard that it cannot feel their
impressiveness, a soul so stoid that il
is not inspired by them?
1t has been the policy Of the civilized
nations. both of modern times and of
antiquity, to commemorate the great
events the heroic achievements and
the distinguished men of their country.
They have wisely deemed it of the
highest Importance to thus impress
upon the people, and especially upon
the young who We're forming their
characters, lessons of patriotism that
they could not otherwise so well learn.
and inspire them to emulate the virtues
OF those who were so honored.
Greece taught these lessons in statues
or such beauty and impressiveness as
nave made her genius illustrious in all
the ages since her decline, and have
served as models that the finest talents
of subsequent times have scarcely
been able to initiate
She built magnificent monuments to
mark the places of her great battle /
fields where her sons have struggled |
and fought in her defence, and by their |
valor shed luster upon their country.
and one of the greatest efforts of her |
orators was the eulogy of Pericles upon |
the soldiers who had died fighting for
the liberty and honor of Greece.
Rome patterned after her in this re- |
spect. Her monuments to comment
morate those who by their achieve |
ments and sacrifices had deserved well
of their country, and to mark the
events in her history. were
and magnificent, and in all
the centuries since. in every civilized
land. measures Of some kind have
been taken to bring to the minds of
the people those examples of self-sac-
patriotism and heroic effort
which could not fail to inspire emula-j
ton in the breasts of the present and
rising generations. But not alone be-
cause of its great utility in kindling an
ardent love of country. in lifting the
people up out of the consideration of
those daily cares and struggles and
iuties, to the contemplation of things
higher and broader. exciting generous
and ennobling feelings which it is so
necessary to occasionally at least
awaken. do We love to celebrate this
lay and commemorate the dead sold
ers who persisted in saving the re
public.
The natural patriotic spirit of orr
people demands opportunities to show
aspect and affection for the brave who
lave striven and fought for the coun-
rvs interest and honor and for the
GOOD of the race. Next to the deyo-
ional feeling this spirit is the strong
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