The Republican journal., 1899-09-14
Veterans Meeting in Freedom.

The Waldo County Veteran Association
met Sept. 7th with Dana B. Carter Post in
Freedom. The weather was fine and at an
early hour the veterans began to assemble.
and when the forenoon meeting was called
to order by President Jones there was large
attendance. The minutes of the last meeting
were read and accepted and committee ap-
pointed to locate the next meeting. President
Jones spoke briefly Of the success Of the
past year. Ten meetings have been held
with good attendance. After remarks by
Comrades A. J. Billings and John 0. John
son, Richard Hartshorn of Waldo was made
an honorary member of the association. Ad-
j)urned for dinner.
At this time nearly two hundred hungry
veterans had gathered in the hall /; but the
good sisters of Freedom were equal to the
occasion and all were bountfully fed. Near
ly every town in Waldo county, and many
in Kennebec county. were represented
After dinner the boys rallied at the
church, which was soon filed President
Jones called the meeting to order, and the
following program was carried out: Singing
by the choir, Come where the Lilies
Bloom" prayer by Chaplain Hatch address
of welcome, by Carrie l.. Boulter The as
sociation voted to have the address printed
1t was as follows:
Comrades of the G. A. R. and Waldo
County Veterans Association. Mine is the
privilege this early autumnal day to greet
you and to extend to you most cordial well
come. We have anticipated your coming
and l am sure never could a welcome be
mOfe sincerely extended than is ours to-day.
We welcome you because you have overcome
all obstacles and come some distance, many
OF you, to perpetuate the memory of your
comrades with whom you were associated in
the hottest of human causes and as has been
SAID, we welcome You because you are the
worthy sons of loyal State which sent over
1900 brave men to battle for the right. A
nohler cause than that for which you fought
history has not on record.
We revere the names of Lincoln, Grant,
Sheridan, and many others, our nations val
iant leaders but they alone could not have
suppressed the conflict and for your pat
riotlsm, heroism and sacrifice there is honor
due. Today you meet in vastly different
circumstances than those of one-third of
century ago when on the field of carnage.
For the preservation of your lives amid such
surroundings we should thank God
Here follow some verses but the manu-
script sent Us is 80 illegible that we are
compelled to omit them. Ed.
Within the past year war with its at
tendant horrors has been entered upon and
nominaly closed. Heroes, than whom the
world never saw braver, have come into
prominence. Deeds of more than Spartan
bravery have been performed. Some of the
best blood OF the country has been the price
OF victory, and many perleXing questions
are yet to be settled. We can only hope
that men will be found equal to the task.
Again, comrades, let me bid you welcome
to our village. [ not only voice your brother
comrades, but the citizens, and may your
stay with us always bring to you sweet re-
memhrance Of this occasion.
The address closed with appropriate lines
from Whittier.
The response was by John D. johnson Of
Liberty, and was one of his best efforts
The remainder of the program was as fol-
lows; Reading by Miss Geneva Bouter ;
solo, Asleep in the Deep" Mrs G. B. Keene !,
Tt marks by comrade Tilton: reading, Miss
Minnie Brown; remarks by A Stinson
reading, Jennette Stevens; remarks by G, A.
Hatch, Pres Jones, comrades johnson,
Billings and Forbes.
\ rising vote of thanks was extended to
Dana B. Carter Post and Relief Corps the
choir, and the good people of Freedom, for
the manner IN which the veterans had been
entertained.
The next meeting will be in Liberty Oct
9TH