The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-06-02
Invocation, Rev. Geo. K. Leighton

Geo. W. Cover, Esq.
Singing, quartte.
Prayer by Post Chaplain. I. b. Emer-
son.
Decoration Of the monument By Officer
of the Day, F. N. Mills.
Ritual service by Commander Walton.
Benediction by Chaplain.
We give brief reports Of the two lead
ing addresses Of the occasion, which nee
essarily fall to give an adj quate idea Of
their eloqueuce and power.
Rev. A. y. Diary, the first speaker,
said
To an American patriot Memorial day
is an exceedingly impressive one. This
year it is made doubly so, because Of the
present conditions Of war. which have
fired anew the patriotic blood of all our
people. And there is still third ele-
ment entering into this service today.
| which increases its impressiveness. IL
is the dedication If this artistic monu-
ment OF granite to 80 noble service.
We citizens participate In this dedication
by courtesy OF the Russell Post whose
tribute this monument is. TO the memory
of the heroes Of skewhegan who fell iu
the defense of our country, and whose
bodies lie in unmarked because unknown,
graves.
There is great significance In this
memorial act of the survivors Of the
army of the Republic
| a. 1t is a tribute to the patriotism
of the past. The brave men in whose
memory this block Is here placed may
have been personal friends Of some of
the men now composing this Post. But
ii is not for friendships sake that this
gift is made for other friends lie in un-
known graves. for whom no such thing
is done. 1t is not because of their great
distinction, for this act would be as
hearty if they were of the most humble
and obscure type. This is an act in
honor OF the patriotism expressed in the
lives and in the death of these brave
defenders of our national honor.
| 0I.) 1t is n monument to the patriot
ism OF the present. Thirty-three years
have passed since these members of Rus
sell Post laid down their arms, wher
peace was secured. 1t is not an act ex-
cited by the flush of recent victory. 1t
is the cool and sober expression of pres
ent patriotism, as intense as that which
manifested itself in the sixties; a patriot
ism as solid and enduring as this very
granite memorial in which il stands en-
bodied before US; patriotism which
looks, as these polished faces, to the four
points of our countrv's compass, and yet
which knows no North, or South, or
East or West.
(IlI.) Ii is an inspiration to future
T patriotism. As a nation we are today
passing this crisis which calls loudly
|
and express the true type of patriotism.
This dedicatory act must cause to flow
more quickly in the veins of these Sons
of Veterans, the patriotic blood received
from their fathers. Our own Co. "E''
I cannot fail to be inspired to heroic deeds
! by this reminder of what these fallen
braves have done, and these living vet
Grams are now doing. Nor will the i'm
preston of this spectacle ever be otiaced
from the memory of these children from
our boosted American schools. With
the true spirit of patriotism inspired to-
day in all our breasts the defenses of onr
country have been nightly strengthened.
UND Let 1t be prayer for the per
petuation of patriotism in all American
f hearts. Very appropriately is this mon
ument dedicated by prayer. 1t was God
who presided over our nation in those
dark days of our peril. 1t was He who
guided our arms 10 glorious victory. 1t
is He who must still be present with us
if these results are to be permanent. As
daily at our f1mily affairs We pray God
] to inspire and crown the true American
patriotism, so may we on each recurring
Memorial day Join in prayer around this
, memorial stone that the "Great God, our
King" may protect us by His might.
MAY we therefore, see in this symbolic
stone an altar upon which is offered our
tribute and honor to the patriotism of the
past; monument to the patriotism OF
the present; a rostrum for the inspra-
ton to patriotism for the future, and q
temple where to pray that God will for
ever inspire and gloriously laurel true
patriotism. In other words may this
silent stone be a vocal psalm, pledge, 8
message, prayer.
Geo. w. Cover, Esq, who is son of s
soldier whose remains rest in a distant
State was he second speaker. We use the
following extracts from his eloquent
address:
"Since The close of that mighty
struggle, in which you bore so active
part, third of century has rolleC
away Children have been born, anC
have lived out half their span of life
The middleGged Of that time have large
| lv passed into the undiscovered country
from whose bourn no traveller returns
The events of that time, which to yol
and to our fathers and mothers were
actual experiences such stern realities
to us Of later generation, seem like :
dream.
Try as we may, we cannot realize the
tri Is, the suiferings, the horrors which
you endured. They can only be realized
bv those who have passed through them
No picture from brush or pen, no words
from the most eloquent orator can por-
tray and do them Justice No brush
even of Raphael, can paint mothers
anguish as she presses her soldier boy tc
her heart. commends him To her God
and sends him forth in defense of his
country's flag.
No pen can picture a husbands feel
ings as he kisses his wife and child good
by. knowing full we'll that he may be
looking upon them for the last time,
No words of mortal man can tell the
fatigues of long and weary marches,
, sleeping at night upon the cold, damp
ground, often with but the southern
skies for a covering; OF the longing for
only word from home TO tell that the
loved ones are well; of the feelings at
seeing beloved comrades falling in battle
OF the filth and starvation of prison