The Republican journal., 1896-06-25
Memorial Day at Togus.
Fitting Observance by the Veterans. Hon. s.
L. Milliken delivers an Able Address.

L. Mllltken dellVerS an ADle Address.
The 3Oth Memorial Day of the National
Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers was
1ittingiy observed at Tcgus June 18th.
This date is selected as many of the vet
Grams are absent on the regular Memorial
day, May 30, to help their own places car
~ out the exercises. The grounds and
buildings never looked finer and the 1000
visitors to the place We're very kindly
treated by the officers. IN the morning a
procession was formed to march to the
cemetery, secluded place on the top of
the hill behind the Home, and while the
Isl graves We're being decorated, a diIge
was played by the band, after which the
procession reformed and marched back to
the Home, where il was dismissed. Be
tween i and ) q clock an outdoor concert
by the Home band was enjoyed by all who
remained. In the evening the exercises
We're held in the Opera House before a
large and appreciative audience. Hon.
Seth L. Milliken, the speaker OF the occa-
sion, received a royal welcome from the
veterans, who recognized in him a warm
friend, one ready TO espouse their cause
at all times. Following is an abstract of
MI. Milli1en's address;
! desire to express my thanks to Gen.
Stevenson for this the first opportunity
afforded me to address the old soldiers
assembled at this home.
propose to speak to you briefly and in
an informal way. But though informal
and not to be extended | hope my re-
marks will be clearly expressive of my APP
probation OF the Importance and deep
significance of the occasion and its value as
a lesson both To those who engage in it
and those who observe and read ABOUT it.
Perhaps nothing more distinctly marks
the advancing march of civilization than
the growing and almost universal observ
ance Of Memorial Day throughout these
Northern States. 1t shows, too, how far
American civilization has progressed be-
vond that of any OF the older nations of
other lands, and it furnishes the clearest
evidence that the finer feelings Of man
kind are, i'll this favored country at least,
assuming a 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 transac-
tons il what we call history when the
nobler anG 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 governments and institutions were
formed and controlled by the people.
Where man is free there he is the most
regarded. There his life is held the most
sacred There his achievements for his
fellow men are most honored. Thee the
premature loss of his life is the most de-
plored and lamented. There his memory,
if he has deserved we'll of his country, is
most tenderly cherished.
II was in Greece, the most intelligent of
all the ancient nations, whose civilization
had reached the highest stage among them
all; whose freedom was her continual
boast; whose men wrought the best and
finest, anu fought the hardest TO maintain
their liberty, their institutions and their
national supremacy that the brave and
patriotic We're most honored in their lives
and by their posteIity. 1t was there that
the glandest monuments were erected to
commemorate the great achievements and
memorable victories of the Greeks, and
the efforts ri her orators and poets in
procdiming their virtues and singing
their heroic exploits are among the most
piendid that have graced and adorned
the Languages OF mankind.
il,L never, perhaps, since the Grafton of
peucles in euio4; upon the dead soldiers
ot Athens and not even then, has any
dining been seen like the ceremonies and
proceedings OF our own Memorial DAYS.
The procession Of old veterans carrying
their tattered battle flags, marching to
The strains Of music which cheered and
inspired them in the clash of arms and
herce conflict OF actual war, placing the
n'St flowers OF summer, as the tribute of
their attention. upon the graves of their
dead comrades, the presence OF fathers,
mothers, wives, sons and daughters testi-
flying their unwavering love for the de
parted brave, and the patriotic interest
manifested 10y the community on Memoir
ial Day, have no precedent among nations
OF ancient or modern times.
And only in our country is anything
Ike our Memorial Day celebration and
ceremonials known to-day. Here. where
the equal rights of men We're declared by
our toretathers as the basis upon which
they were to erect new government:
where liberty was their watchword and
their war cry during their seven years
struggle for independence; here where
the principles which they enunciated
We're baptized anew in the blood of your
comrades in 1861, and triumphed second
time iii your great victory over the slave
holders rebellion; where the dignity and
immunties of the individual are recog-
nized and regarded: here where men love
their government because they make it,
and make il OF a character beneticent to
all, do the people honor in the highest
degree the brave who are living, and ex-
press their affection in the most delicate
tender and impressive way for their fall
len countrymen whose self sacrificing de-
yotion and brave achievements excite the
just pride of our people and command the
gratitude of the best of mankind
am glad to observe that Memorial Day
is growing more in favor as time goes on
The people turn out in larger numbers
every year to celebrate it. They mean
that it shall not 60 out of fashion. Its
significance is more and more felt and un-
derstood Its great utility in awakening
and keeping active the patriotic feeling of
the nation is more and more recognized