The Portland daily press., 1897-06-01

an ever present possession of theirs to be
easily evoked as occasions require,
IN CITY HALL.
Memorial Exercises in the Evening Of An
Interesting Character.
City hall which has witnessed so-many
occasions of the kind was the scene in
the evening of interesting exercises which
were attended by a large crowd. The
hall was, in fact, very nearly filed and
there were not many unoccupied when
the exercises began. The ushers were
members of the Sons of Veterans and
performed their duties in most graceful
manner.
Chandler's band seemed inspired last
night and the music it rendered during
the evening was very warmly received.
While the crowd was gathering the band
played many selections and were repeat
edly encored.
The stage was adorned by the Stars and
Stripes and presented a very beautiful
picture. The following persons occupied
seats on the platfotm: Chief Marshal E.
G. Milliken, Commander Ellis of Bos-
worth Post. Leroy Tobie, Postmaster
SWEET, Senator E. G. Reynolds, Rev. T.
| S. Samson, W. R. Pattangall, ESQ.,, of
Machias, Rev. Samuel Worcester, Lieut..
Kotzschmar of the revenue cutter Wood
bury, Major R. L. Hoxey, Capt. c. S.
Berry, First Lieutenant H. M Nickerson,
Second Lieutenant A. S. Jordan, Lieut..
Col. A. M. Soule, Past Col. W. H. Perry
of the Sons of Veterans, Past Department.
Commander W. Fl. Green of the G. A.
R., G. H. Boyd and G.. E. Jordan.
Col E. G. Millken presided over the
meeting and after an eloquent prayer by
the Rev. 7. S. Samson, Shaw's quar-
tette, composed of John L. Shaw, George
SWEET, Mrs. G. K. Hawes and Martha F.
V. Hawes sang the Song for the Union
which was encored. Col. Milliken then
made brief but very graceful address of
welcome. He said that although Memo
rial Day had been observed in the city of
Portland a great many years there seemed
to be no loss of interest in the day and
that it was observed with deeper rever-
ence each year. "By resolution adopted
by the Both annual encampment of the
G. A. r." said Col Milliken, sit was
the words uttered by the immortal Lin
coin at Gettysburg, and doubt if more
fitting time than the present could be
found for reading this speech.
Col. Milliken then proceeded to read
that address of Lincoln's which was de-
livered on the great battlefield in which
begins: -Four score and seven years
ago, our fathers brought forth upon this
continent new nation dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created
equal"
This speech is known by every school
boy, but it never was delivered at more
appropriate time, since it was uttered by
the martyred President, than it was at
the exercises last evening. At the con-
clusion of the reading the audience ap-
plauded loudly and evidently appreciated
this innovation in the usual programme.
Then Col. Milliken read the general or
ders issued by Gen. John A. Logan when
he was the commander-in-chi of the G.
A. R., in which Memorial day was
first suggested and from which has grown
up the beautiful custom of today.
The quartette then sang a song, the
words of which were written for this oc-
casion by Caroline Dana Howe of PORT
land, while the music was composed by
Mrs. B. L. Dinsmore. The quartette was
accompanied by the band which played
''taps" as an introduction and followed
on with the music of a most appropriate
and beautiful kind.
The song was entitled "In Solemn
Trust" and the words of it are as fol-
lows:
With martial notes, and roll of drums.
Sounds once to them so dear,
With waving flags and boom of guns,
And reyerent steps draw near!
Strew flowers above the patriot dead,
Who for our nations life
The richest blood of manhood shed,
And fell in honored strife.
Their graves are ours, in solemn trust.
Then strew with flowers
The sacred dust.
Let Arlington smile sweet with bloom!
Let Gettysburg grow fair!
From every lonely grave, perfume
Rise upward like a prayer
While living men, and soldiers true,
Hold firm the trust they gave,
And do the work still left to do,
With honest hearts and brave.
These graves are ours, in solemn trust:
Then strew with flowers
The sacred dust.