The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-18

I
known each other we'll. thank him for
the privilege Of looking Into your faces
today. I always feel at home among old
soldiers, those who have fought she bat
ties OF their country andETeturned tostheif
homes. One OF this greatest spectao les
that the world has ever seen was that
given BY the million of men on both
sides In the great struggle Of the rebel
lion when they quietly returned to their
homes and their lresides as peaceable
and law abiding citizena Those who en-
gagged In that contest ara entitled to the
greatest credit and the county win al
ways honor them tor their services. The
governor OF New York has recently said
that there are four occupations which re-
quire as much courage as that Of the
soldier and he mentions the business OF
the railroad man. the policeman, the fire.
man and the fisherman on the Grand
Banks. For myself do not think the
men who follow these purauits can be
placed In the same category as the soldier
The man who enlists to fight the battles
Of his country virtually says: "Here is
my life. lake it," He surrenders his
life for tina good OF the people. He knows
that in war there is certainty OF large
loss OF lie. With the men In the pursuits
mentioned the case Is different. There
Is chance of death and they take that
chance but they do not face the prospect
before the soldier. Only think. Of 1t. In
the war with Spaiu one of the young
soldiers referred to one OF the skirmishes
Will Oh marked its progress as battle.
veteran Of the rebellion said TO him:
young man, what would you think Of a
battle in which during three days light
ing 10000 men were killed and wounded
as was the case at Gsttysbure?''
The country is grateful to the men who
defended her honor and she has shown
her gratitude in various ways. You be-
longed to the regulars and for the men Of
the regular army who need such assist
ance there is a beautiful home near WASH
ington. 1t is provided with fine build.
ings and spacious grounds where the old
soldier may pass his declining years in
peace and comfort. Then there are the
soldiers homes in various parts of the
country. There is the pension list. No
other country in all history has ever done
as much for its soldiers and tho Ameri-
can veterans deserve 1t. 1t Ia right that
the soldiers should receive the nation 8
bounty and believe it is extended TO
them Willingly and gratefully.
have been interested in.the remarks of
the proceeding speaker concerning the
prospect Of universal peace. From boy :
hsod have believed in peaceful means
for settling International differences. The
citizen must resort to law for the settle-
m ent Of bis troubles. The stste steps In
and says;s "You must come into court.
If you resort to violence for the Settle
ment of your difficulties you will be pun
ished." But great nations. Christian
nations, can organize great armies and
navieskandswh they have some slight
difficulty engage in conflict with one an
other. I have always thought that the
day would come when there would be q
tribunal the settlement of intsrna-
tional disputes and the times arey auspic-
ious. The peace conference called by the
young Emperor of the Russias gives
promise of something better for the flu
ture. Still 1t is right that great military
leaders like Grant and Sherman ami
Sheridan should he popular for they were
men who having done their duty TO their
country went quietly to their homes
just as the private soldier did Grant
put it beautifully when he said; "Let
us havs peace" and 1t may be that there
has never been better description Of war
than is ointained in that remark OF
Sherman's that war is hell. TIE men
who go to the front are the men who
make the sacrifices and the veteran
soldiers are entitled to the gratitude of
the country which they saved.
Mr.. Allen was warmly applauded. He
was followed by gomrade Sturgeon who
spoke of the intelligence OF the American
soldier as the explanation of that spec
tacle which amazed the world when the
armies dishanded at the close OF the re-
bsllion. Mr.. Sturgeon said that not
withstanding the benefits of peace 1t was
a fact that nations had made their
| creates progress in the years followin G
their wars. AT the conclusion of his re.
marks he presented the following report
of the committee on resolution and ii
was unaniomusly adopted:
| Whereas, the Great Commander has
deemed it wise to order the discharge of
our late comrades Prentiss Lobdell and
II. A. Gowan and muster them into that
higher life. whore all is peace,
| Therefore, Be 1t resolved that In the
death nf these comrades this association
fully realizs the loss of faithful and loyal
comrades, the community just, upright
and Intelligent citizens, and their fami-
lies, tender loving and indulgent protect
ora.
| Resolved. That we tender to the fami-
lies of our dead comrades our deep and
heartfelt sympathy in their days OF sor-
row and affliction, and commend them
to the care of that great large hearted
Father ana Friend OF all poor sorrowing
| humanity.
| Resolved, That thess resolutions be
spread upon the records of this assooia-
ton, and copy be sent to the families
of the deceased.
8. s. Sturgeon, Charles Rice, James
Burnie, Committee on Resolutions.
Brief remarks were also made by Com