Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-01

ably filed from the close Of the Revo,,
tionary struggle up to the War al ~
Rebellion: of such men as Taney Ca
ton. Ewing. OConnor, Campbell SbjaIa.
and Harvey. Then he spoke Of the uar
Of secession and showed the attItuda ~
the American Catholics toward the gov.
eminent. giving as the roll OF honor ,ha
names Of the Catholic general Officers .,
the Union army. those Of Sheridan nv
carlos Buell.. Rosecrans Ord Newton
Revere. the grandson OF the Boston na'
triot Paul Revere, Scannon. Tyler "a
of President Tyler. Stanley. Stn,yas
Rear Admiral Harwood Stone Fog,as'
Rear Admiral Beaumont A. w. Whipnle
Haipine. Graham. Mulligan. Mead
Francis Meagher Ramsey Sands. Gem,
modore John Guest and Gen Phil Kaar
ney. After dwelling upon the above far
some moments. the speaker said:
rs there soul 50 dead 10 gratitpds
as 10 refuse homage to the memory az
these tilusirlOus Catholics whose nanes
are written over the portals Of immor,sl
fame. or so base as to desire the deerads'
ton of their offspring baptized In az
blood of liberty? IL Is an established fac,
of history that the proportion of catbos
lies In the Union army was double III
proportion which Catholics bore 10 the
population Of the country. More thar
100000 Catholic soldiers vindleaied ,hsI,
right 70 civil and political equality IN
every battle that was fought In avsrv
defeat that was suffered. in every victor,
that was Won No blood flowed more
freely or in richer torrents than theirs
Foremost to volunteer. they followed The
flag Of the Union with answering Low.
atty and undaunted courage. from The
hiring on Sumpter TO the surrender al
Appomattox."
The speaker then touched upon ,bs
service of the Sisters of Charity on the
field. and upon the fact that when the
fate of the Union hung in the balance
ADraham Lincoln, greater than whom no
man ever lived. selected TO represent he
fore the people OF the Old World the
true issues in the contest Most Reverend
John Hughes. Catholic archbishop of
New York. as his ambassador The
President Of the Southern Confederacy
appealed time and again to the Pope Of
Rome to recognize his cause. but in vain.
AT home and abroad. Catholics from
Pope 10 peasant were loyal to the Amer
lean Union. 1t should not have been
otherwise The Catholic church makes
il Imperative upon her children to obey
the powers that be and TO respect the in
stitutions of the land Of their birth or
adoption. No one can possibly be a good
Catholic who Is disloyai 10 his COUNTRY
In religion We are Roman Catholics. but
in politics We are Americans: recogniz-
ing no authority superior TO that of our
land and ever ready TO shed our blood.
If need be. for the defence of our flag
against any foreign power, whether
Catholic. Protestant of infidel.
Hence our enemies are those who know
Us not for were they acquainted with
our religious tenets and seriously to
mediate upon the principles of the
American constitution. they would not
fail to recognize and admit that the in
fiuence and action Of the Catholic faith
and morality are in every way favorable
10 tho letter and spirit of the constitu-
tion.' Then the speaker said that there
were especially two constitutions that
could move tremendously together, the
constitution of the United States and
that of the Catholic church. for they
have the same high conception of the
human race and the same love of liberty.
In closing. Father Charland said
Hence a custom so laudable and patri-
otto. ! exhort you 10 continue. and in
| assure you that it has been
a real pleasure for us to welcome you
here on this memorable occasion As
Catholics we are no strangers among
YOU. We Were with you on the field of
battle. both as priest and layman. We
YOU on toward that one victory
yet possible. eternal salvation through
Jesus Christ As we lent you willing
hand in the struggle of old. we are ready
TO afford you the same aid. and there
fore, while welcoming you and our other
honored guests. we bid you all God
speed. Go forth. then. soldiers of the
Grand Army. go forth accompanied by
the patriotic ladies of the Relief Corps
and by the worthy Sons of Veterans. des-
tined TO perpetuate to future genera
tons the memory of this day. Strew
with flowers the graves of your departed
and may their sweet fragrance
n - Tnrg.. of Iowa IN
mercy seat. and draw down upon you and
yours untold benedictions.'
The choir sang Regina Coeli'' and
Rev. FIR. Bergeron offered prayer. after
which the congregation withdrew.
The choir sang Regina Coeli." the
band played a selection. and the vast
audience departed. well satisfied that
hey had heard the Memorial address OF
heir lives. and many were the pleasant
hings said about II.