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

| history which gave rise to the day we
| observe, and those events we COM
memorate. All the more profound be
| our reflections touching those events
and their lessons. because of recent
| history. Aye, verily-for. who shall say
| that the observance of this impressive
ceremony during the past 50 years has
! not borne rich fruit Of patriotism in
the young hearts which lately beat re-
| sponsive to their country's call.
| Moreover. who can deny that the
| unity of this republic has become far
| more firmly cemented by the existence
| of the war with Spain. Grant and Lee
| faced each other in deadly conflict in
| our Civil War; Lee and Grant have 80
! years after faced a common enemy in
| spired with unity of sentiment and
| unity of action. The sons We're not
| content to sleep upon the laurels won
by the fathers. Amid such glorious
| conditions, every pulsation of the
| popular heart betokened sure victory.
Can we not most gratefully discharge
| the solemn duties of this day, and,
| burying the animosities of the past,
seek new inspiration for future guild
| ance.
The speaker here alluded to the
grand reception that was given Gen
eral Joseph Wheeler in Boston, and
| commended the action. He thought II
| one of the actions that showed how
completely the bond between the North
ana the South is being cemented and
ii gave the due honor to General
Wheeler. for the bravery he had dis
played in the late war Continuing the
| speaker said:
Whatever may await this nation in
the final adjustment Of problems re-
Sulting from our new relations and OBJ
| legations, of one conviction there can
be no question. and that is. that the
| lessons Of patriotism ana unity, so
cOnsDicuously illustrated during the
past year VIII not be lost upon a peo-
| pie thus reunited, ana cemented in
bonds of a common purpose and a
common ambition. and the fruits Of
this victory Will contribute To the
achievement of justice, righteousness
and peace, to and by the citizens of
. this grand republic. In ancient Athens
the obsequies of citizens who fell in
battle were, by legal appointment. per
formed at the public expense and in
honorable ceremony Their bones We're
carefully gathered from the funeral
pyre and lay in state for a time, be
meath tents of honor, to receive offer
ingS of friend and kin. Flowers and
Z vases, weapons and ornaments, simple
or costly as surviving affection might
prompt. tokens of love and gratitude
7 were brought by the high and humble
in common devotion. Thereafter a
mournful procession of citizens, wives,
mothers, daughters, and strangers
even. moved to the place of SepulcheI
in beautiful suburb of the city. Amid
the trees and monuments, on grounds
: beautified by nature and art. funeral
Grafton was pronounced. Thus CRATE
q full honors were bestowed to the mem
: DRY of all who had fallen in their coun-
u try's cause.
I. Other nations. ancient and modern
in varying form and ceremony, bu
u with similar purpose, have assembled
Il on special occasions and historic day:
{ to recall the deeds of their dead heroes
Our own fair Columbia has its day:
t of sacred memories, consecrated b!
G patriotic blood, set apart by legislativ,
u authority or fraternal appointment
: from business cares and duties, devot
ed to communion with the nation
dead and commenoratiOn of the ma
tons triumph.
Every grateful people refuses Il
forget its martyrs, and esteems it
high privilege to publicly honor al
who have given life in its defence. II
those whom eloquence has honored
poetry immortaliZed. or art glOrified
and to all that host of brave mel
whose dust is hidden beneath myriad
mounds. our nation this day bows il
sorrow and gratitude. Emblems o
mourning fill the land and the voice
of millions are hushed in silence
Memories immortal remind us VIII
survive of the price of our liberties
the sacrifice which purchased for u
our national prosperity.
over the graves of our patriot dea
we lovingly lay the beauty and wealt
of springtime. To their tombs com
rades and kindred bring new treasure
of gratitude fresh tokens of remem
brance. natures fairest flowers. and i
this beautiful custom join with CON
rades and fellow citizens in gratefl
tribute TO all who went forth-unre
turning-to sustain the nations homo
to save the nations life.
Not with ostentation. not with SELF
complacence bring we this our tribut
but in love and loyalty we bring OF
gratitude than which no fairer flowt
sheds its perfume in the human hear
In ancient and modern time alike bloc