The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-06-06
Memorial Day at Burnham.

For the first time in the history of the
town of Durham, Memorial day was OBJ
served in a most enthusiastic and successful
manner. When the citizens of Burnham
undertake an enterprise of any kind it is
generally carried out in manner that would
do credit to many towns that boast a much
larger population. The observance of the
legal holiday just passed proved to be nc
exception to the rule these wide-awake peo-
pie have established. They We're not content
limits to secure needed attractions. From
Unity came lively band of 20 pieces; from
" innecook came Wallace Pomroy with his
excellent orchestra; from Pittsfield came
Prof. r. A. Conant, and family, whose
ability as a musical director is not confined
within the borders of his own town; while
from Waterville came ''The Boy Orator of
The Kennebec," Herbert Carlyle Libby,
who is former Burnham boy
At go in the evening an excellent band
concert was given in the public square. At
a little past seven the veterans Of the war
the band marched to the town hall The
hall was crowded to the very doors and
many were unable to gain admittance. The
principal features of the evening besides
the vocal numbers by Prof. Conant, were
the address by Capt. A. w. Fletcher, and
the Grafton by Herbert G. Libby of Water
Vile The chairman of the evening was
Postmaster n. E. Murray, and on the stage
with the chairman and the two speakers
was the recently called local pastor, Rev.
Mr.. Gray.
The chairman introduced Capt. Fletcher as
the first speaker, giving him the title of
''The Old War Veteran of Waldo County,
In a few well chosen words the speaker re-
ferred to the day and then gave beautiful
ly worded description of the flag. He con-
fined his closing remarks to "reminiscences
of the war, naming the valiant men who
had fallen in his company and recalling the
battles in which the soldiers present had
participated. His remarks were listened to
with close attention.
In presenting to the big crowd the orator
of the evening, the chairman said; 'sThis
is The Boy Orator of the Kennebec'." Mr..
Libby was given great ovation as he step
ped to the front and delivered most
scholarly and eloquent Grafton. Mr.. Libby
is young man. only % years of age, and is
son of the late Hon. l. c. Libby. After an
introduction in which he asked the audience
to remember the great significance of the
day and forget the youthfulness of the
speaker, he entered at once into the sub
graphically the cause and growth of the war,
outlining the attitudes of the north and
south. Then he addressed his remarks entire
ly to the veteran soldiers who had gathered to
recall the scenes of strife. He attributed
the greatness of the country today to the
great personal SACRIFICE THESE IneU ndu ell
countered. and cOntraSted our past with our
present, great in national power. He drew
frequent applause from the audience by his
eloquent word pictures.
81 know it has been said that this remark
APPLE somersault of affairs resulted from a
booming of cannon down in Manila bay,
that its report Numbered across the waters,
aroused Germany, startled our English
cousins, terrified Russia and disabled
Spain, but am convinced that should the
cause be more carefully traced it will be
found to have taken deeper roots whose
tibers have drawn nourishment from that
momentous period marked by our Civil war. -
He next spoke of the great organization of
Grand Army men that was slowly dwind-
ling away, saying that before many years a
solitary cOmrade would be borne to his final
resting place and as loving hands should
place him in his grave "We shall have wit
messed the passing away of a host of men
such as Grant and Lincoln.
Mr.. Libby closed by speaking Of the trust
that the veterans had given the following
generations to keep, which was sacred, in
asmuch as it was to preserve peace, freedom!
and prosperity in our land. He declared
emulating their examples. In honoring the
he said forcefully, '!worthy the name Of
American citizens" His peroration was a
masterpiece of English and elected long
continued applause.
At the close of the exercises an informal
reception was rendered the orator of the
evening in the hall. Citizens of the town
were loud in their praise of the Grafton, de:
claring that seldom, if ever, had they heard
its equal. The title given Mr.. Libby is ap.
parently most fitting one. It's likely that
the town will set aside sum Of money each
year for the continued yearly observance Ot
this day, sacred to the hearts of all true pa
triOfa-RangOr Commercial.