Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-31

lie ear, made possible the glorious VIC
tories conceived by admirals and gen
erals.
Equal honor to the memory of a SOL
der or sailor who gave his all TO
achieve the grand result, cen though
his post of honor was a private's sta
ton" Loyal in purpose, noble in ac-
ton, glorious in death. their valor is
worthy of emulation, their heroism
should excite our veneration and |
praise.
Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead.
Dear is the blood you gave;
No mpious footsteps here shall tread
The heritage of your graves:
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keeps
OR Honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.
"Yon marble minstrers voiceful stone,
In deathlesS song shall tell,
When many a vanished year hath Howl
The story how you fell; .
Nor wreck. nor change, nor winter
Nor Times remorscless doom.
Can dim one ray of holy light =,
That gilds your glorious tomb.
But friends and comrades. While we
rehearse their valiant deeds ana III
profusion scatter our memorial ohti
ings to the patriot dead, there rises the
vital question, what are the lessons Of
this day?
As we conclude these impressive Ger
emonies fraught with such sacred mem
nrias there crowd upon our thoughts
Observation-Disclosures: 'Whatmeanye by
this service?' Does our solemn cere-
monial and its lessons cease with ms
going down Of this days sun? opens
The future no pathway Of duty before
n,,r faetp Does no bugle call from the
field of present conflict summon US on
ward to greater usefulness and hlSh-
- goal? Comes there 10 message 10
our ears from yonder marble MOUNDS
These questions are irrepresslDle- Inc
trusts committed to us by our fallen
comrades. from whose tombstones W.
have again brushed the dust of another
wear. are not yet discharged, nor Will
their obligations cease at the close OF
this impressive service. Should other
eyes grow dim, should other hands
fail. and other hearts grow cold in this
sacred trust. be it our cordial pleasure
so long as the light and warmth of life
remain to US. to uphold the banner 81
patriotic devotion before our fellow
citizens of this glorious republic, and to
the civilized world
Comrades of Seth Williams Post:
Your colors bear a beloved and hon
graduate of West Point academy, Seth
Williams entered the regular army as
lieutenant and participated in the
Mexican War. achieving merited hon
ors for gallant conduct under Gen.
Zach Taylor His faithful services in
the army until 1861 conspicuously pre-
pared him for the more eXactlng work
of the Civil War: throughout which he
won and held the confidence and adml-
ration of his commanders and assocla-
ties. (even Mcclellan, Meade and
Grant, by his modesty. his rare eNecu-
tive ability, and fidelity to every duty
which lay in his path.
OF brave mould and gentle mien,
generous in his judgment Of others
'pre-emnently qualified for his lie
work." thoroughly unselfish, resolute
and tireless in his service prompt yet
cool in comprehension, rapid and unerr-
ing in execution. his manly virtues
never overshadowed by his surprising
ability, he gave his life for liberty and
his country and has left to his friends
and comrades the rich legacy of hero
ism and fidelity-whose record Will IL
umine the history of this republic, ana
become a living inspiration To the
young men of all generations III the
hour of national need.
Comrades. shall we heed also his
lesson of loyalty? Shall we accept ms
legacy of duty to each other duty 70
the needy wards of our felloW-soldierS'
duty to the nation? Those WatchWords
inscribed upon our banner FRATERNITY.
Charity and Loyalty, summons US con
tinually. now in peace, now IN war 20
new duties and fresh responsibilities
The warm hearts Of a grateful peo-
~ n i'm, unison WlI n our own
so long as we shall prove true TO our
selves and our comrades. Drive the
wolf of want and woe from every home
which shelters a dead comrades loved
ones. Fill the empty hands of the
4s- widows and fath6rleSs. Erection "i
monuments to the dead tWning gar
lands above the silent homes Of the
fallen. should not satisfy the conscience
of the living The impulses OF hu-
manity ana the prompungs q graz
tude demand nobler tribute than gar
lands or monuments. Our annual con
tribution Of flowers ana praise is but
mockery and hypocrisy if the wards OF
our comrades have need Of life's neceS-
sites.
Fcllow-citizens. flowers, words, Dreau'
money all these are but tritling, leepl"
compensation to these mourning hearts
today, they
sigh far Tire touch of Il vanished hand.
And the sound Of Il voice that IS sum
They sent forth the joy ana ti'T
strength of their home life, ana ann"
the sunlight of returning peace lhey
waited in vain for the greeting thi'l
shall come no more here below. ana
they now walk in a shadow that nc
power earthly nor even Heavenly, can
lift. Let us build living monuments o.
active charities, setting apart some
what Of our store to those kindly deeus
which Will bear present ana lmih"l' Ia
fruit-mnistrations which VIII pilhs
light and joy to heavy hearts.
Ills better. better far,
No monument should rise
To tell the hallowed spot
Where any hero lies, -
Than that one orphan child
Should pine for want OF Dfeau'
Or gold be squandered off