The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-06-06

great principle, embodied In the con-
stitution of this Republic, that cost it
more lives and more treasure than the
entire soldier population and combined
wealth of the thirteen original states, at
the time OF its adoption. This was the
price we paid as a nation for that one
compromise Of just principle 1t WAS
this terrible national sin that We we're
called upon from 81 to % to wash out
with the patriotic blood OF our fathers,
brothers, sons and comrades In arms.
Some OF you older men can well re-
member when the sound Of the fife and
drum was heard on our streets and the
fathers, Sons and husbands left the shops
and farms at the call OF that martial
music and rallied to enroll In defence Of
their country and their country's flag
Company after company was enlisted
and many were the meetings OF the
citizens as the brave boys started for the
front. Many of you citizens and old
soldiers recall the scenes Of those days.
The last good-byes, farewells, and part
ing embrace, as you left the homes of
yoW youth, the happy tireside Of parents
and loved ones, to face the terrible dan
gers and sufferings awaiting you. Those
were scenes so impressed upon the
memory as never to be forgotten. Many
OF your comrades were turning their
fearful glances for the last time upob
the faces of their loved ones. Well did
you know and realize all this. You did
not go from choice, but In answer to
your country's call. You went because
your love Of country and Its preservation
was stronger and dearer than life itself.
Never In the history Of the world was
there an army of one million as brave,
intelligent, and patriotic men gathered
together to defend the right. Never
was war waged In a more righteous
cause. Never were battles fought with
such desperation on both sides, as in the
war of 81 to '65. From the first shot at
Fort Sumpter to the surrender of Lee at
Appomattox Court House. the world
never witnessed such warfare, and
Names brave boys were in the thickest
OF 1t all. More brave, daring men were
never drawn up in the line of battle.
To none is due greater praise and honor
for the part they played in that terrible
war that the boys in blue from the Old
Pine Tree State, and none drawer than
our own boys from Skowhegan. Many
of them sleep today in unknown and
unmarked graves beneath a southern
sun. Many homes were made fatherless
and sonless by that awful war They
gave their lives for their country.
Though their last resting place is marked
by no marble slab or perishable monu-
ment of granite, there was erected to
them and by them, in everlasting men,
DRY of their heroic deeds, a monument
more enduring than marble or granite, a
mi vyh tn oh
trates heaven itself, whose radiance out
shines the stars, whose soft and amelio-
rating rays already tighten the onward
pathway and march of civilization
Their sacrifice gave to US united coun-
try. They forever wiped out of the
Constitution the terms of that unholy
compromise which was disgrace in the
eyes of man and a terrible national sin
In the sight of an indulgent God. 1t
vouchsafed to four million human beings
and their posterity the blessings and the
rights Of freemen.
Our best and most thrifty farmers, our
foremost artisans, our leading profess
sional men, our grandest statesman and
most honored citizens everywhere are
the men from the boys in blue Of 81. 1t
is most natural that they should be.
For the material that made such soldiers
will make anything. The ability that is
required to lead great army to victory
Is equal to any emergency and possesses
the requisite qualities TO guide the Ship
of State, as has been proven by the i'm.
mortal Grant, the pure Hayes, the loved
Garfield, the invincible Mckinley.
have said that you gave to us united
country, with no North, no South. Dur
ing the present month President Nc
Kinley has made grand tour of those
states that were in rebellion, and every
where the boys In gray as well as the
boys in blue have most loyalty met and
greeted him as the president of our
united and happy republic. When the
Spanish under cover of darkness blew up
the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor
and sent 260 brave American sailors and
officers to an untimely grave, ipsulted
the Stars and Stripes and defied the
United States, then we saw and felt that
we had a united country, and the brave
boys In gray were among the first to
avenge the lives of their countrymen and
the insult to their flag.
The world recognizes today the Re.
public of the United States as the most
powerful and prosperous nation ON earth.
As manufacturing people we have no
equal. More miles of railroad, telegraph
and telephone than any other. The hum
of the wheels Of industry is everywhere
heard. The products Of our farms, mills
and forests help to feed clothe and
shelter the people Of every cline. Our
commerce is rapidly increasing, our
National Treasury full to repletion, our
people the happiest, freest, richest and
most enlightened that the sun shines
upon.
Members of Russell Post and Grand
Army of the Republic, it is not too much
to say, when | state that much of this
glory, prosperity and happiness is the
direct fruits Of your sacrifices from 81
to 50. In return for your services your
country promised in case of misfortune
or death to guard, protect and provide
for you and your dear ones. They have
faithfully kept that promise on their
part. 1t recognizes the sacrifice that
you made and go far as money will re-
pay, 1t has dealt it out with no parsi-
monious hand, and it will continue so to
do, until the last defender of the flag and
the Union shall have been called to that
far off beyond to meet the hosts of those
who have gone before, and help to swell
that heavenly army, where is no war or
contention, where martial music Is not
heard, neither reveille or sound of muf-
fled drum, but ever and forever shall be
heard the sweet, melli1uent music of
angel voices and the joyful tramp of the
soldiers of the Army Of the Redeemed,
where the brave boys in blue and the
boys in gray will meet and march under
thp lamp hammer commanded bv rho