Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-01

and beauty which are mathematical of
virtue ana patriotism. Our national
festivals are all fraught with meaning.
annual preceptors, which set before us
examples to emulate, renewing from
time to time our faith in immortal
truths. Whether it be the birthday Of
washington. which pictures to us the
parlot. soldier and statesman or the
Declaration Of Independence which
teacnes that courage and constancy are
the sponsors for a nations birth and
the guardians of its life; the man who
loves his country exults with pride
when celebrating her achievements of
the past. In obedience to this impulse
OF nature the Grand Army of the Re-
public marks as it's own today, which
or all days in the calendar of the coun-
trys history, symbolizes the struggle
Tor human liberty. The romance Of
this Oft told tale loses none Of it's charm
by repetition and its pathos never fails
TO sweep the chords of human sympa-
thy.
Almost twenty-four hundred years
ago, might have been seen, on a hill
rising above the bay of Salamis at
Marathon, eleven generals holding 4.
council of war. Below they see the I'M
conquered host of Persia eager to land
and destroy human liberty then a Wig
orous infant in the cradle Of Athenian
genius. Shall Athens defend her homes
and crescent liberty is the question be-
fore this council of war. Five votes are
cast for resistance, five votes are cast
q 90 plc =
the chairman of the council, hangs IN
all human probability the destiny of
mankind. He votes for resistance; and
as the sun of this eventful day sinks to
rest behind the Grecian hills capped
with fleecy clouds, tinged with gold.
the brave Athenian band is triumph
antly driving the defeated hosts of Bar
barism from the crimsoned plains of
Marathon.
The struggle for human liberty has
fairly begun. Let us trace its course.
Nearly three centuries have PASSED and
we see pouring down from the Alpine
heights, like an avalanche, an army
made up of all the enemies of Roman
civilization, Italy breathless, awaits her
inevitable destruction. One last at
lcIHDl Is ny Oiic StIOhc VI IAOIildl
valor on the banks of the Metaurus the
power of Hannibal is crippled. Garth
age is doomed and Roman law, the flu
ture guardian Of liberty stands SUI
preme, throughout the world. The au-
roreal light of the Christian era had
scarcely thrown it's benign rays over
the face of Europe. when our sturdy
ancestors in Northern Germany refuse
longer to submit to the now corrupted
and tyrannical empire. Under the
leadership of Arminus they bid defiance
to Roman authority, they fight, they
conquer and learn to cultivate that in
dependence, that self-reliance. that
spirit Of liberty, that distinguishes the
age of chivalry and romance, and char
acteriZes the Anglo-Saxon race of to-
day. A few centuries later and the
true Christian faith has taken root in
every Roman Province; but just as the
mission of the great empire is accom-
plished, all Western Europe is forced
to unite to defend their civilization
against the destructive advance of the
Huns, a band of merciless savages led
on by one victorious march from CEN
trail Asia, by more merciless leader.
Tribe and city fall before them, Roman.
Scandinavian, German dare not give
them battle, but with a path aswide a.;
Europe itself they seem destined to
sweep the whole land with torch and
sword. On the plain of Chalons in
Northern France. Christian and Heath
en- meet in deadly conflict. Right nor
might prevails and the savage horde
I1F ite- ntctn
whence it came. Liberty and Christi
anity are again the victOrs.
In the summer of 1872 A. D. Charles
Martel the Champion of the Cross,
unites the people of Western Europe
and stands face to face with the allied
forces of Asia, Africa and Eastern Eu-
rope, bound together by the laws of the
Koran. At Tours, the Cross and Cres-
cent contend in one of the worlds most
decisive battles. At Tours, our ances-
tors win and preserve for us the bless
ings of liberty and civilization. Pause.
1t is now 1888. On the throne of Eng
land sits the famous maiden Queen
The great reformation has aroused
Europe from the legarthy of the
middle ages, the sceptre of tyranny
fallen from the hands of Kings and
Emperors is now swayed by the Pope
of Rome. while Professionalism bears
aloft the banner of liberty. Catholi-
cism is loOsing its iron grip on the
masses of Europe. And as last re-
sort for absolute power. its forces. in
one invincible fleet. threatens to silence
Professionalism. All England rises to
defend her faith. With God and con-
science to inspire she subdues the
Spanish Armada and England is Prot
estant forever.
Thirty-two years later and the May
flower landed her priceless cargo of
courage and freedom on the rugged
coast of New England. With the BAN
ner of religious liberty as their STAN
dard our sturdy ancestors begin their
westward march across the conti-
nent. We see peasant. surf and slave,
the noble, the rich and the brave SAIL
ing on unknown seas to find homes in
an unknown land. Huts and cabins.
clearings and settlements. ports and
meetinghouses spring as il by magic
from the primeval forest. Brave men
and noble women toll in making Chris